Scotty’s Shot: Albany Green upset reigning premiers Emu Point Red in ladies division one season opener

Passionate Albany bowler Tim Scott is writing a fortnightly column for The Extra, keeping our readers up-to-date with the local bowls scene.

Lower Great Southern Bowling League ladies first division pennants has kicked off with a major round one upset as Albany Green defeated reigning pennant holders Emu Point Red 3 (38) to 1 (27).

This will be a major boost for the Albany ladies having such an important and morale-boosting win so early in the season.

Middleton Beach Green were too good at home for Mt Barker Golf, 3 (38) to 1 (32), while Emu Point Purple comfortably defeated Middleton Beach White 3 (54) to 1 (33).

In ladies division two, all three games resulted in close scores as Middleton Beach Red held off a challenge from Albany Gold, 3.5 (34) to 0.5 (30), as Emu Point Blue overcame Denmark Aqua 3 (41) to 1 (38).

The remaining game had Mt Barker Golf defeating Cranbrook 3 (35) to 1 (27).

Men’s first division has started with last season’s grand finalists Middleton Beach Gold losing away to newly promoted Mt Barker Golf Red 4.5 (63) to 1.5 (59) while reigning pennant holders Emu Point Red were impressive recording a strong 5 (70) to 1 (53) win over Albany Gold.

Denmark gained a valuable away victory over Emu Point Purple, 4.5 (62) to 1.5 (43), as the first derby of the season was won by Middleton Beach Black over Middleton Beach Green 5 (66) to 1 (51).

Mt Barker proved far too strong at home over a disappointing Albany Green in the men’s division two, winning 6 (62) to 0 (48) as Emu Point White travelled to Cranbrook and came away with the victory, 5.5 (80) to 0.5 (56).

Middleton Beach White beat Mt Barker Golf White 5 (66) to 1 (41) and in the final game Albany Brown easily accounted for local rivals Albany Grey 5 (71) to 1 (42).

The men’s third division has now completed two rounds and two sides have recorded first-up victories.

Walpole have begun well after a strong away win over Denmark 6 (68) to 0 (59) while the other undefeated side Middleton Beach Lime also won an away thriller over Frankland 5 (52 to 1 (50).

Green Range defeated Emu Point Blue 5 (59) to 1 (50) as Mt Barker Gold Blue had a walkover after Albany White were forced to forfeit.

Congratulations to the composite team of Beryl Cooper, Anne Hornibrook (both Middleton Beach), Karen Miller (Mt Barker Golf) and Bridget Mitchell (Newdegate) who have won the ladies State Fours championship.

They defeated the Safety Bay quartet of Irene Arndt, Debbie Smith, Karina Gale and Elizabeth Marshall in the final, 21 shots to 16 played at Kardinya at the weekend.

Meanwhile, Australian ladies bowls legend Karen Murphy, will be inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame at a gala dinner at the Crown Palladium, Melbourne on November 18.

Murphy, who has represented Australia at the international level on more than 660 occasions will be joined alongside fellow inductees — surfing star Mick Fanning, motorsport legend Mark Skaife and athletics great Sally Pearson.

Clubs with any news, results or rumours please contact Tim Scott on 0428 429 405 or timscottsports@gmail.com for inclusion.