22/03/2026
VHBC Report Sunday March 22nd, 2026
Premiers!
In a very rare double, Victor ‘Sea Eagles’ have been crowned premiers in both the Division 1 competitions for Thursday Women’s pennants and Saturday Open pennants. The ‘icing on the cake’ was the win to Div 3 Blue as well. A great day for the club and reward for the many hard workers, selectors and players.
Saturday Open Pennants Grand Finals
Div 1 Blue came up against Port Elliot. In a close and exciting contest all day it came down to the last bowls. The completed rinks had Bill Nash up five and Nik Pippos down ten, but Rachel Wolfenden’s rink was up six on the last end giving Victor a one-shot buffer. However, Port Elliot held one shot in the head meaning a potential draw was ‘on the cards’. With Rachel Wlofenden’s last bowl she moved Port Elliot’s shot bowl enough to give Victor two shots, and a three-shot win overall. This grand final series has been incredibly close. Victor got up by one shot against McLaren Vale in the semi-final, Port Elliot defeated McLaren Vale by three shots in the preliminary final, and Victor won the grand final by three shots. Often it was decided by the last bowls of the day.
Div 3 Blue played Milang and cruised to a twelve-shot win overall. The rinks of Ian Brown and Ian Sellars combined well to give Victor a strong buffer, and Chris Pitman’s rink kept losses to a minimum. A well-deserved win for this team which has been consistent all season. Unfortunately, Div 4 was the team to miss out. Dan Hassell’s rink had a very good win, Darryl Keane’s rink was competitive all day, but Ken Collinson’s rink met a very strong EB rink and was outplayed. Players have done really well to get this team into the grand final from fourth on the ladder at the end of the minor round.
Women’s Pennants Grand Finals
Div 1 Blue played Port Elliot at Strathalbyn. Players were ecstatic to come through with a convincing 13-shot win with two rinks up. Rachel Wolfenden’s rink played strongly to finish up by seventeen shots, Joy Fuller had a tough battle but won by three shots. Lyn Thatcher’s rink lost by seven but prevented any ‘blow-out’ to ensure a win for Victor. Congratulations, and well done to all the ladies representing Victor over the year.
Div 3 Blue was also in the grand final, but players were unable to match the strong Myponga team and lost by fourteen shots. Meredith Reid’s rink bowled well to win by three shots, but Val Secomb’s rink found the opposition just too good on the day. Nevertheless, this team can feel well pleased with making a grand final.
Bob Vowles Day
A pleasing number of teams turned up for Bob Vowles ‘Blue’ day for prostate cancer. Jamie Norman from Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia was in attendance to give insight on this disease. South Coast Sand and Civil also sponsored the day. Winners of the day were locals Fred Kelly, Bronwen Mullen, Bob Vowels, and Ebba Ness on 107+39. Not far behind, and in second place, was a team from Willunga – Steve Davidson, Ady Stoekel, Don Schumann, and Wayne Gibson on 106+28. Third went to a Yankalilla team of Craig Bartlett, Gary Campbell, Peter Mansell, and John Carroll on 105+23. An enjoyable day for all was further improved with excellent catering provided by many Victor members.
Night Owls
The final night of the Night Owls competition Premiership rounds was a resounding success, staged a shortened two-game format that kept the players engaged from start to finish. The team of the Power topped the night game, narrowly ahead of the Coasters, with the Night Rollers close behind in third place. Following the games, Victor Harbor Bowls Club President Dennis Williams led the main year-end presentation. In Division 2, the Islanders claimed top honors with a steady, consistent campaign throughout the season. In Division 1, Snoozers finished in third place, followed by the always challenging Power in second. Taking out first prize money and the annual Trophy was the almost undefeated squad of Up-N-Back, capping off a dominant season. The Victor Bowls Club is looking forward to seeing all Night Owlers back on October 15th to register for the new season 26/27.
Photo 1: Div 1 Blue Premiers 2025-26
Photo 2: Div 3 Blue Premiers 2025-26
Photo 3: ‘Bob Vowles Day’ winners – Ebba Ness, Bob Vowles, Bronwen Mullen, and Fred Kelly with Jamie Norman from Prostate Cancer Foundation
Photo 4: Night Owls winners overall – Gareth Woodward, Jan Taylor, Greg Cooke, and Phil Fairclough
