Christmas bowls carnival a smash hit

THE Bright Bowls Club’s 71st annual Christmas Carnival was once again an amazing event, with five days of fun and competition spread out between Christmas and the new year. Entries were received from clubs within the Ovens and Murray bowls region, as well as clubs located further afield in Melbourne and Geelong. The carnival commenced on Friday, December 27, with an open three bowl triples competition, sponsored by Steve and Chris Jenvey who also provided everyone with a delicious lunch. Winners were the team of Steven Broad, Daniel Czuczman and Julia Polkinghorne from Chiltern, with three wins and 50 points. Runners up with two wins and 37 points were Shane Doran, Rob Priddle and Natale Doran-Browne, while Terry Braden, Greg Braden, Jessie Smith from Wangaratta came third with two wins and 35 points. Best last game: Bright +15 (Cheryl Raduczic, Peter Raduczic, Ernie Vanderwert). The fun continued with the mixed 2x4x2 pairs format, with Myrtleford’s Cheryl Lewis and Middle Park’s Bradley Cooke saluting with three wins and 49 points. Locals Gil and Bev Griffith came second with two wins, a draw and 43 points, while Myrtleford’s Lindsay Hamilton and Phyl Swindley recorded two wins and 40 points to round out the podium. Best last game: Bright +15 (Cheryl Raduczic, Peter Raduczic). Day three saw an Open Singles format played, sponsored by Bendigo Community Bank Bright, with six games of 10 ends contested by 16 players. Before the games commenced there was a minute silence had to pay tribute to Arthur Hangan who passed away in July 2024. Arthur was a past president, long-time member and sponsor of the event for many years. He moved to Bribie Island in Queensland and while he was well enough would still make the trip to Bright to present the trophy and medals. The winner was Middle Park’s Bradley Cooke with five wins and 88 points, just ahead of Swanpool’s Shayne Mathieson (five wins, 86 points), local Mikey Clayton (five wins, 86 points), and Yarrawonga’s Mick Crawford (four wins, 78 points). The Open 2 Bowl Triples event was taken out by Cheryl Lewis (Myrtleford), Gil and Bev Griffith (Bright) with four wins and 68 points Second by a narrow margin with three wins and 63 points were Craig Elliott, Karl Weil, and Rob Priddle from Highton Bowls Club in Geelong. The team of Brad Cooke, Otto Kupferle and Jason Bornholm took out third with three wins and 63 points. The Open 3 Bowl Pairs match, sponsored by Bright Bendigo Bank, was won by Craig Elliott and Rob Priddle from Highton Bowls Club with three wins and a draw. Runners up were also from Highton BC, Dan Priddle and Karl Weil. Winners of the Open 2 Bowl Triples event with four wins were Dan Piddle, Rob Priddle and Craig Elliott from Highton Bowls Club. Runners up with three wins were Dale Mastenbroek, Robin Gallagher and Brett Barton from Kiewa Bowls Club. With five days of fun and games in the books, the club thanked all participants, sponsors, and organisers for their efforts in ensuring the carnival went off without a hitch. “Bright Bowls Club would like to thank all players for their participation and supporting the carnival and also a huge thankyou to the many local businesses in Bright and Harrietville as well as the individuals for their generosity in supporting the Bright Bowls Club 71st Christmas Carnival,” club spokesperson Charyl Raduczic said. “All prize money was kindly donated, without this support the club would find difficulty in running a successful carnival.”

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