Wonthella Green win Murphy-Johnson Cup, Wonthella Gold go top as Batavia men’s pennants bowls resume

The home side won the first-ever Murphy-Johnson memorial cup last Saturday, with Wonthella Green hosting Mullewa as men’s pennants play resumed in the Batavia Bowling League after the break.

The Green Machine took the honours over the Saints by a credible 18 shots.

Jean Murphy and Shirley Johnson, the wife and mother of former players Charlie Murphy and Paul Johnson, who are memorialised through the cup, were on hand to toss the coin before the game.

The result swapped the two clubs’ ladder positions, placing Green back in the top four for the first time in several rounds and the Saints now three adrift of them.

The round delivered in spades, with nine of the 10 competing sides still in touch of finals action.

Most sides will have players unavailable this weekend because of the Inter Zone Round Robin series in Busselton.

Denison were standouts in the first game back, with their two squads claiming 11 of a possible 12 points on offer.

The Blues (six points) and Whites (five) defeated Geraldton Gold and Wonthella Maroon respectively, putting the entire competition on notice.

The club will be hoping the effort kickstarts a push for finals.

Geraldton Red went into the round on top of the table, but Wonthella Gold proved too good on home turf, winning 5-1 (67-50).

The win gave them the points and top billing, ending an eight-match winning streak that had taken the Reds from last place.

Geraldton Blue won 4-2 (64-42) in their away fixture against Northampton to retain third position, despite winning just one rink.

The result leaves the Blues within a point of second place and four shy of first.

Table leaders Wonthella Gold play sister side Green in the match of the round on Saturday.

Geraldton Red are at home against an upbeat Northampton.

Denison White will be looking to gain ground in the clash with Mullewa.

Denison Blue travel to Wonthella to tackle the wounded Maroons.

The final encounter is the Geraldton derby between Blue and Gold. The match is a mini-final for Gold, who need to rebound from their home defeat.