Ford, Criddle, State bowlers Ellis & O’Brien win Stanton Fours in perfect Geraldton conditions

The Geraldton Bowling Club went head-to-head with the AFL grand final weekend and gave the big dance some strong competition, drawing in 72 players for the two-day Harry Stanton Fours.

The Stanton family continue to sponsor the Harry, now into its second decade, in memory of a true lawn bowls competitor and promoter, who travelled the Mid West, Central and North Midlands bowls zones and the metro region.

Event organiser Jon Trotter was pleased with the turnout and said while the WA-based AFL grand final affected nominations, they were only eight lower than last year and should be back up for the next time it runs.

“I’m expecting a record-breaking 2022 edition,” Trotter said.

There were several notable milestones at the event.

Just one side went undefeated in the five matches.

For the first time in five years, no side finished the five round the weekend without a win.

The competition brought together past WA State side representatives Geoff Ellis and Colin O’Brien in the same quartet for the first time in several years. Their foursome with Mike Ford and Brad Criddle delivered, returning four wins and a draw with 18 points plus 16 shots.

The composite side of Brad Preston, brothers Kim and Anthony Cross and Warwick Glenister finished a strong second with four wins, 16 points +36. A two-shot defeat in the fourth round was their only hiccup in the quality weekend.

Third-placed Warren Kennedy and his Geraldton team of Jeff Eaton, Peter Batten and Lawrence Brooks entered the last round top of the leader board, but lost their last match by a solitary shot.

Perhaps the story of the event belonged to Nino Messina, Lloyd Morgan, Paul Johnson and Paul Williamson, who finished fourth with three wins and a draw minus three shots.

They rebounded strongly from a demoralising first-round defeat, earning a draw with the eventual winners and a win against the runners up.

Wonthella will run the ever-popular Drennan O’Malley Open Pairs this Sunday. It will be the last event before pennants start this month.

Geraldton will be running club afternoons for women on Saturdays to attract more women’s players to the game, especially those who are working during the week when league pennants are on.

The competition starts on October 16.