Following late afternoon rain at Newborough which curtailed Saturday afternoon Pennant the decision was made to transfer the Stzelecki Novice Singles and West Gippsland V South Gippsland Men’s Robin to the Traralgon Indoor.

In the Men’s Strzelecki Region Novice Singles Darren McDonald Warragul defeated Craig Selby Inverloch 21 – 12 and in the Ladies Strzelecki Region Novice Singles Larissa Falls Tarwin Lower defeated Robyn Dodd Moe 21 – 15. McDonald and Falls go on to play at the State Finals at Mulgrave Country Club on Sunday 1 March.

The Men’s Round Robin between West Gippsland Bowls Division and South Gippsland Bowls Division was played over three games.

In the first game the West Gippsland rink of Matt Ferrari Traralgon (skip), Vin McIlwain Traralgon, Scott Jones Trafalgar and Chris Ward recorded a 17 – 4 win over the South Gippsland rink of Darrell Major (skip), Russell May, Glen Cohen and Chris Windley with Chris Ward displaying fine form with consistent draw bowling providing the basis for good heads throughout the match.

The West team of James Scullin (Skip), Tommy Lodge Trafalgar, Wil McIlwain Traralgon and Kevin Enguell Traralgon had a good battle with the South rink of John Hall (skip), Peter Sparks, Brenton Hackett and Shane O’Loughnan only to lose 11 – 13 after dropping three shots on the second last end. John Hall showed the experience he has gained as a top bowler throughout Victoria as he marshalled his team to a win.

The remaining West rink of Ian Kirkup (skip), George Lambos Newborough, Mark Atkinson Drouin and Phil Mustoe Traralgon battled early with the South rink of Mick Coram, Wayne Parks, Mick Bowman and Brad Corcoran trailing 6 – 8before winning nine shots over the last three ends to win 15 – 8 to give West Gippsland the first rubber 43 – 25 with an eighteen shot margin.

After a welcome break for lunch John Hall of South raced to a 6 – 0 lead over Ian Kirkup, trailing 7 – 14 after eight ends Kirkup won the last four ends to win 15 – 14 after drawing four shots on the last end. After a slow start Matt Ferrari trailed 4 – 6 after seven ends before winning the last five ends for a 12 – 6 victory. James Scullin completed the route to race away to a 6 – 0 lead before winning 14 – 7 over Darrell Major.

After two rounds West Gippsland had won both matches to retain the Tony Colwell trophy for the winner of the Strzelecki Region Men’s Round Robin. A third round was held with Matt Ferrari defeating John Hall 13 – 10, James Scullin losing 6 – 18 to Mick Coram and Ian Kirkup losing 8 – 16 to Darrell Major to give South Gippsland a welcome consolation win.

Following the match the Selection panel selected the following sixteen players to play at Traralgon on Sunday 15th March to determine the thirteen players to be selected for the State Finals in April at Shepparton.

John Hall Leongatha (skip), Darrell Major Phillip Island, Wil McIlwain Traralgon and Brad Corcoran Toora.

Matt Ferrari Traralgon (skip), Vin McIlwain Traralgon, Scott Jones Trafalgar and Chris Ward Traralgon.

James Scullin Traralgon (skip), Wayne Parks Inverloch, Tommy Lodge Trafalgra, and Phil Mustoe Traralgon.

Russell May Phillips Island (skip), Ian Kirkup Traralgon, George Lambos Newborough and Shane O’Loughlin Leongatha.

The Ladies Round Robin will be held at Traralgon Indoor on Friday 7 February. West Gippsland will be represented by the following players Pat Fraser-Aurisch Neerim District, Karren Sheers Neerim District, Maureen Leighton Drouin, Sheryl Atkinson Drouin, Tara Harle Morwell Club, Jo-Anne Michaels Newborough, Joan Goldie Newborough,, Kathy Smiles Traralgon RSL, Kay Garry Traralgon, Pat Trewin Traralgonrsty v and Lucy Dalli Traralgon.