Wonthella Gold shine to win second division Batavia Bowling League title

Wonthella and Denison took centrestage in the second division final series for the 2020 Batavia Bowling League. Wonthella were a stand-out, with all three of the club’s sides making the play-offs for the pennant flag. In a thrilling finish, Wonthella Gold claimed the title in the two-rink final after making five shots on the final end. Despite 20mm of rain during the lead-up, the two-day series was played on a perfectly prepared Northampton surface. It was a fitting venue to finish off another successful pennant season involving nine sides from the region’s five Mid West venues. For Gold, the league’s top-ranked foursome of Bill Andressen, Ernie Ainsworth, Brian Kelly and Max Attrill led by just a shot entering the last end, with the encounter seemingly in Maroon’s control. That all changed with the star quartet’s whirlwind finish, which turned the contest on its head. The two squads had been neck and neck for the whole match, keeping a strong crowd of supporters watching the action on the field. A couple of excellent deliveries quickly closed the gap, giving Gold the lead and ultimately the premiership by a single shot. The Gold quartet won 21/15 over Pat Neal, Nic Waldron, Kim Trigwell and Ron McCall. Maroons’ John Craig, Joe Beaver, Noel Jackson and Jim Barrett winning 21/16 over Ken Rowell, Hewy Levett, Dick Cobley and Trevor Smyth to fall agonisingly short in a memorable encounter that will be long remembered. Attention now turns to this weekend’s country week carnival, where more than 900 bowlers will compete in singles, pairs and fours over eight days. The final day will be held at the Bassendean Bowling Club on March 7, when finals in all disciplines will be played.