An absolutely event filled, edge of your seat weekend for the Pennant 2024 Finals. Saturday and Sunday were just so enjoyable it was insane! The Gold Coast Tweed Men’s District ran it perfectly and although not all our teams got to return to the Grand Final on Sunday, we managed to come home happy little chappies!
It wasn’t just on the greens that was amazing though. The spectators were full of players and club members, all the clubs had got together to encourage their management staff to come and support and it all just added to the atmosphere with hundreds of people in attendance. The enthusiasm and support was made evident on Sunday when a car park was dedicated to each clubs courtesy vehicles and in some cases, massive 57 seater coaches. It was remarkable to see so much support for each team in one of the biggest competitions of the calendar year.
A special shout out to Sean Ingham from Broadbeach. Our own Rob Crewdson started to struggle making it on and off the green and we desperately needed to find him some steps. Sean Ingham was half way through an order at the bar when approached and he dropped what he was doing to help out and muster a set of steps for Rob. Absolute legend Sean and most appreciated!
The team work between rivals didn’t just stop there though. Management staff from multiple clubs inviting opponents back to celebrate the night away in true comradery that is lawn bowls.
Unfortunately the finals results for Division 5 GREEN are not updated at this point. We are waiting patiently. But they won their first game on Saturday against Helensvale by 5 shots. Helensvale then took a tumble against Tugun which meant the Sunday Grand Final was a repeat of last year – McKenzie Park VS Tugun!
It looked extremely one sided midway through the match with McKenzie Park installing domination and leading quite comfortably at one point by more than 12 shots. Tugun settled in and mounted a comeback. With two rinks finished and only one rink left to play their last end, it was tight! Tugun was behind by just a couple of shots and the boys managed to pull out the big shots to win overall by just 6! Deja vu at it’s best as Division 5 GREEN come home a second year in a row with the coveted Pennant flag.
Another very well earned flag and so very well deserved by all the team. It was a little bit bittersweet though, knowing that for some of the players it was going to be their last match with the club as they move to new pastures. We wish them all the best in the next stages of their journey and we are so happy you got to share this momentous occasion with us as your last hoorah!
Division 7 ORANGE had to face the titan of Div 7 Saturday morning. It definitely didn’t go to plan as Woongoolba pummeled the Orange team leaving McKenzie Park to use that all important second chance. They were up against Paradise Point, who they had previously lost too in the season and were playing quite well after disposing of a super strong Tweed Heads in their first matchup by almost 20 shots.
After a little refreshment break and some team talk it was time to put it all on the line. And that they did! Overpowering Paradise Point to secure their spot in the Grand Final winning by 8 shots and two rinks.
Unfortunately it was another date with Woongoolba. There was a level of nervousness about the team before they started their roll up. But when the bell chimed it was game on. Throughout the match it looked like it could have been anyone’s win, Woongoolba leading and then McKenzie Park surpassing them. It wasn’t until there was only a few ends left for each rink that Woongoolba put it into hyper drive and laid consecutive 5’s on multiple rinks which gave them the shots needed to slide to the finish line in relative ease with no chance for the McKenzie Park ORANGE to make a come back.
Missing out on the Premier Pennant flag, the Runners Up flag is just as noteworthy and adds to the collection at McKenzie Park which I am sure will be expanded in years to come.
Words can’t really describe how successful this season in Pennant has been for McKenzie Park. The results can do the talking! To all the selectors, players, managers, reserves, volunteers and the McKenzie Park Men’s Club Committee for all your hard work, effort and support – thank you! Well done everyone! Thank you to the Nerang Community Bowls Club for entering our 3 teams, for hosting, for putting on the lunch at our home games and the greenkeepers for preparing our greens.
When Summer Nines comes around, get your name in there as soon as you can! It will be another successful campaign for the club and we cant wait to see you all fight week in week out to come out victorious!
Some photos have been added to the gallery: https://mckenziepark.com.au/gallery/