2011 The Year In Review: Pennant Report Card

2011 was an interesting year in the world of bowls on the Mid North Coast. Today we'll take a look at the year that was, starting with the Pennant season

Grades One and Two Combined.

Coffs Ex Services.
Division: 2
Result: Last
Comments: For a club that contains the champions Kent Price and Dallas Cole, the season was indeed disappointing, however it should be noted that the afore mentioned played two matches between them for the season. Comments made by some of the team members during the season suggest being relegated wasn't such a bad thing for the club, so their last place shouldn't be that surprising. With rumours of Rod Hiscock returning and a chance of Price and Cole both being available,  heaven help their opponents in Grade three in 2012!
Grade: D-

Overall Coffs had three grades in 2011, and had their best success in Grade Six, taking out the zone flag.

Park Beach One:
Division: One
Result: Zone Champions
Comments: The team had five changes to the starting team from the 2010 winning side and were using the season as a chance to start blooding some up and comers. The side suffered just one loss on their way to the District title, before claiming a dramatic one shot win over the higher rated Westport in the Zone final.
Grade: A

Park Beach Two:
Division: Two:
Result: Third overall, Second in grade two.
Comments: On paper this team was expected to dominate the second grade, but inconsistency cost the team, with a number of matches lost on the back of one rink. In saying this, the team was in the hunt right up until the last round and will be stronger for the season.
Grade: B-

Overall Park Beach had five grades but only managed the one flag despite being very confident, particularly in grades two and three. Looking to improve in 2012.

Sawtell:
Division: Two
Result: District Champions
Comments: Always competitive, Sawtell's top grade has a history of not quite getting over the line. They showed a new resolve early in the season with some impressive victories, and unlike previous seasons, maintained their form for the full season. The team fully deserved the opportunity to go to state, and if there was any disappointment it was the result of the zone final. Regardless the team will be a force in 2012 when they challenge for the first grade flag.
Grade: A

Overall Sawtell entered five grades this season and proved to be one of the more successful clubs taking out the second and fourth grade flags. Early indications are they will be even stronger across all grades next season.

Urunga:
Division: Two
Result: Fifth Overall, third in Grade Two.
Comments: The 2010 Grade Three champions were always going to have a tough year, and were odds on to be relegated at the end of this season, however the side performed well, and avoided the wooden spoon. The side has lost two of its younger first graders for next season so wil again have a battle on their hands but the side has proven themselves and deserves to play in the combined first and second grade.
Grade: C+

With three grades entered, Urunga found the going tough in all divisions contested. Can only improve next season.

West Coffs
Division: One
Result: Fourth overall, second in Grade One
Comments: The big disappointments of the season, the side started the season with genuine hopes of breaking Park Beach's stranglehold on the first grade flag. However despite a victory over their major rivals, the side was virtually out of contention after round six. It was difficult to pinpoint what went wrong for the side. The players selected were certainly of high enough quality, but as a unit they just couldn't seem to light it up as they had the season before. The fourth place only a disppointment based on the high expectations held for the team. They will do better in 2012.
Grade: C

Of the three sides entered, the best performed for the club were the grade six side, who finished second to zone champions Coffs. Like Urunga, 2012 should see better results.

All Grades:

Bellingen:
Grades Contested: One
Best Result: Grade Five Zone Champions
Comments: With only the one grade the side was always going to be competitive. The team proved very strong and battled their way to the state finals. A force to be reckoned with in grade four in 2012.

Bowraville:
Grades Contested: Two
Best Result: Grade Five section winners - beaten in final by Bellingen.
Comments: For a small club, Bowraville continues to punch above their weight and perform well.

Macksville:
Grades Contested: Two
Best Result: Grade Five - beaten on a countback for the section by Bellingen.
Comments: A force in the lower grades, the club will be disappointed with this result. An early tip to win Grade Five next season.

Nambucca Heads:
Grades Contested: Four
Best Result: Grade Three - Zone champions, Grade Seven - District champions.
Comments: The strongest of the southern clubs, Nambucca enjoyed a good season, the highlight being the victory over the highly rated Kew in the zone final in grade three. The big question will be can the club emulate their success in 2012....

North Beach:
Grades Contested: One
Best Result: Grade Six finished fifth.
Comments: It's hard to imagine that only a few short years ago this club was a force in the first grade! The side was competitive this season, but needed probably two more victories to give themselves a real chance. Like many others, they will aim higher in 2012.

Scotts Head:
Grades Contested: One
Best Result: Grade Four - second.
Comments: But for one point!! Scotts Head would have claimed the district flag with just one more point, but alas it was not to be. Bryan Cullen has certainly made a difference to the club and will no doubt have his sights set on taking out the flag in 2012.

Stuarts Point:
Grades Contested: One
Best Result: The team ran third in their section in Grade Five.
Comments: For a team that played Second Grade only twelve months ago, the side has certainly lost its lustre. Should the young guns, the King and Jeffery brothers play in 2012 the team should be strong enough to take out the zone flag in this grade as they were sorely missed this year.

Woolgoolga:
Grades Contested: Four
Best Result: Grade Seven finished second, only two points off first place.
Comments: Close in every grade, the end results would have to be frustrating for the club with three second places and a third. The club has lost a few experienced players for next season but will still be more than capable of improving on this seasons standings.

Til Next Time....

Chippy

Club Championships...last for 2011.

Lucky last results of club championships on the Mid North Coast for 2011!

Firstly a few results from Coffs Ex Services Club...

Paul Box ran into some form late in the year capturing two titles.
The Minor Singles proved to be a battle royale, with Box defeating Geoff Duffey 31-30 in a match that could have gone either way. Box reached the final by defeating P Rambow whilst Duffey overcame Geoff Peel 31-25 to reach his first final.
Box also led his team to victory in the final of the Minor Triples with a victory over Frank Tarman's side 21-17 in the decider. Box's team dominated their semi final against the trio skippered by Andrew Newick to record a 29-14 success. Tarman's crew found their way to the final courtesy of a 22-17 win over A Thompson's side.
Haydn Marriott and Grant Blom won a nailbiting Major/Minor Pairs final against Andrew Newick and Col Thompson 20-19.
In the Mixed Pairs decider Brian Saville and J Skedden were victorious against Glen Cunningham and partner (score not available).

Meanwhile, the last event for the year at Park Beach, being the Club Triples, was taken out by Peter Baehnk, John Eding, and Bernie Clay who defeated the heavily favoured Wayne Rowbottom (in his last club championship at Park Beach), Terry Kadwell and Rod Farmer.
Farmer had been in good form, having just captured the Mixed Fours title with Eileen & Quinton Dalrymple, and ex junior star, Kenita Monks. In the final they defeated D Jones, Allan Bebb, Janiece Schiemer and John Bennett.
And the final result for 2011 is the Mixed Pairs which was taken out by Marie Owen and Barry Griffiths who were successful in the final against Peg & Stan Milham.

Thats the last results for the year, I'll endeavor to do a year in review before christmas....

Cheers,

Chippy