29th March 2018 – Winners of the Bowls Victoria Division 1 (6-a-side) Mid-week Pennant flag 2017-18

Winners of the Bowls Victoria Division 1 (6-a-side) Mid-week Pennant flag 2017-18

taken from Bowls Victoria News page

PUBLISHED ON THURSDAY, 29 MARCH 2018

2017-18 State of Pennant 2

Aberfeldie – the little club with a big heart

The 108-year-old Aberfeldie Bowls Club is one of the minnows of Bowls Victoria’s Metropolitan Pennant competitions.

Boasting just 40 members, the Club fields two Saturday Pennant teams, two Midweek Pennant Division 1 (6-a-side) teams, and a Night Pennant team in the Northern Gateway Night Pennant Competition.

The Club prides itself on the welcoming and tight knit nature of its membership and has members travelling from as far away as Riddells Creek, Point Cook and Truganina to play. 93 year old Life Member, multiple Club Champion and Club legend, Fred Sinclair, is the soul of the Club, having played in excess of 1000 Pennant games in 53 Seasons at Aberfeldie – and is still skipping on Saturdays.

While Saturday Pennant this season produced only ordinary results for the Club, the reverse was true for its two Midweek Pennant teams.

With both Division 1 (6 a side) teams playing in Section 1, the Club finished first and second on the ladder at the end of the Sectional round, and then hosted two home Sectional semi-finals.

Coming out on top in each (one semi-final by just 1 shot against Moonee Ponds), the Club’s two teams played off for the Section Premiership – and of course earned the distinction of being both Section Premiers (Aberfeldie 1) & Runners-Up (Aberfeldie 2).

Advancing to the Divisional quarter-finals, Aberfeldie 1 had the closest of wins (a single shot on the last end of the game) against a gallant Diamond Creek at Preston Reservoir Bowls Club. The Divisional semi-final was far less tense, with Aberfeldie 1 taking a strong lead late in the game to defeat a resolute Hampton Park at Burwood Districts Bowls Club.

On then to the Divisional Grand Final played at the MCC Bowls Club against a gritty Bennettswood. A solid fight back by Bennettswood threatened Aberfeldie’s mid-game lead, but re-grouping after the break, Aberfeldie finished the game strongly to take the 2017-2018 Metropolitan Pennant Midweek Open Division 1 (6 a Side) Championship.

At the end of the game, the Club and its players were thrilled to be presented with the Premiership flag and individual winner medallions by Bowls Victoria – tangible evidence of an outstanding season, and proof that the minnow can bring home the catch!