Sport
9 September, 2025
Local players contest nationals
HEYTESBURY Indoor Bias Bowls was well represented at the recent 55th national titles, held in Warrnambool.
Well done to Arthur Finch, Noah Mungean, Pam Wines, Brett Mungean, Pam Dwyer, Lara Mungean, Peter Baker and Allen Armistead who all took part – along with Kathryn Wines who played for Queensland.
The first day of competition was a slight deviation from the normal program, with an Open Singles Championship played before the nationals started.
Traditionally, it has always been part of the nationals competition, but this year was a trial to see how well it would go as some states struggled to find players.
The sectional play took place on the Sunday and the knockout stage was on Monday, when the champions were decided.
Honourable mentions go to Scott Pierce and Pam Dwyer for making the top 32, but unable to proceed, and well done to Ken Buck for making it to the top 16 in the men’s singles.
Ken was the only player in the top 16 that wasn’t a current or past nationals player so he had an amazing run.
Tuesday was the first official day of nationals competition and Heytesbury president Max Wines was once again the Australian president for the 55th Nationals competition.
Those who attended would also have seen Max Wines in the catering tent, either behind the barbecue, the grill, making a coffee or even replenishing the 20 litre bottles of various sports drinks.
On day one, Heytesbury players had a bag of mixed results.
In the men’s pairs, Noah played with David Speechley and had one loss in the morning and a win in the afternoon.
Arthur played with Glenn Sargent and had a win in the morning and a loss in the afternoon to be just positive (in shots; got more shots than lost) for the day.
In the mixed pairs, Pam Wines played with Brett and they had a narrow loss in the morning and a win in the afternoon, to be just positive for the day.
In the ladies triples, Pam Dwyer and Lara played with Jo Webster and they had a narrow loss in the morning and a win in the afternoon, to be positive for the day.
In the mixed fours, Kathryn played with Vic emergencies Steph Hunt and Ali Van Der Ploeg, as well as Queensland stalwart Ron Lake, but they were off to a slow start, losing both their matches for the day.
Peter Baker skipped his side with Peter Neal, Elaine Pitts and Trish Speechley and they had a narrow loss in the morning, followed by a good win in the afternoon, securing a good positive shot margin.
Rounding out mixed fours and day one coverage, Allen Armistead skippered his side with Adrian Ballinger, Michelle Tait and newcomer Nettie Ryan and won their first game and drew their second game, remaining positive for the day.
Day two, in the men’s pairs, Noah and the team tried valiantly but couldn’t get a win in both sessions for the day, despite close margins.
Arthur and his team were able to get a win in the morning, but lost by one shot in the afternoon to still remain positive.
The mixed pairs, with Pam W and Brett, had a good percentage booster in the morning, but were short in the afternoon session, still remaining positive.
In the ladies triples, Pam D and Lara had a win in the morning but a heartbreaking defeat in the afternoon, losing by one shot and remain +10 shots after day two.
In the mixed fours, Kathryn and the team got a win in the morning and a draw in the afternoon, improving on their day one slow start.
Peter and his team had a bad loss in the morning but bounced back in the afternoon with a good win to be -2 shots for the day but still positive overall.
Rounding out day two, Allen and his team had two good wins in the morning and the afternoon, with the team running second this early in the championship.
Day three is usually considered “Foundation Day” as it usually sets the team up for a medal chance or a potential struggle for the last two days, depending on the team’s results.
In the men’s pairs, Noah and his team’s woes continued with a heavy loss in the morning, but were redeemed with a two shot victory in the afternoon.
Arthur’s team had a win in the morning by one shot and a win in the afternoon by two shots, remaining shot positive overall and placed third at the end of the day.
In the mixed pairs, Pam W and Brett had a loss in the morning but a good win in the afternoon, with net zero shots for the day and maintaining touch with a group of five teams with six points after day three.
In the ladies’ triples, Pam D, Lara and their team had a narrow loss in the morning against NSW 1 (who finished with a gold medal) but a five shot win in the afternoon to be third overall by percentage after day three.
There were also a few other teams on the same points.
The mixed fours threw up a mixed bag, with Kathryn’s team not finding any joy on day three, losing both their matches.
For Peter and his team, a five shot win in the morning was overshadowed by a six shot loss in the afternoon, but despite that, were placed fifth overall with a positive percentage.
Allen and his team had a good day, winning by four shots in the morning and two shots in the afternoon to be on top after day three, ahead by one point (the draw they had on day one).
The Jack Gore trophy – an overall team award for the state side that accumulates the most points throughout the Nationals Championship – was looking a little bleak for Victoria as they were about 20 points behind Tasmania who have won it for the last two years.
Day four at nationals is usually called, “Moving Day” as teams push for one more day to try and improve their chances at placing for a medal.
For some, their position will improve but for others, the dream may be just out of reach.
In the men’s pairs, Noah and his team couldn’t seem to buy a win in both the morning and afternoon sessions.
For Arthur’s team, their fortunes were better with a one shot victory in the morning and a two shot win in the afternoon, placing fifth on percentage.
In the mixed pairs, Pam W and Brett didn’t fare much better with heartbreaking three shot defeats in the morning and again in the afternoon session which unfortunately, pushed them down the line.
In the ladies’ triples, Pam D, Lara and their team had a five shot win against the second place SA 1 side at the time and another win in the afternoon meant only one thing – win to have a chance at a medal the following day.
The mixed fours was again wildly assorted, with Kathryn’s team still finding no joy on day four, narrowly losing by two shots in the morning and took a loss in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, Peter and his team had a five shot win in the morning and a percentage-boosting win in the afternoon, placing the team fourth on percentage at the end of day four.
Closing out the day four coverage, Allen’s team had a good win in the morning, placing them three points clear with the afternoon session left for the day.
Allen’s team hung on for a two shot victory against South Australia 1 to secure gold at their home nationals.
At that point, the Jack Gore trophy was lost for Victoria, with the margin being about 36 points to Tasmania and time had pretty much run out.
Day five of the nationals can be either relaxing for some as their fate is sealed, disheartening for others as they had a chance and couldn’t quite get over the line, or throwing everything into it for a last ditch effort at a medal.
In the mens’ pairs, Noah and his team couldn’t even pay for a win on the last day, with both vowing to “cleanse their spirits” moving forward.
For Arthur and the team, it was a similar story but the final placing was fifth overall.
In the mixed pairs, Pam W and Brett had a good win to close out their campaign, placing seventh overall.
The ladies triples were a different story.
The equation it seemed, was simple; a loss by the other Victorian side (in third place) and a win for Pam D and Lara would mean a bronze medal but they needed to win.
This match was the last game for this year’s event and, as such, drew a crowd of spectators.
The other Victorian ladies’ triples side, skippered by Maureen Drennan, had lost its match leaving the door wide open.
Pam Dwyer, Lara Mungean and their team held on for a one shot victory over New South Wales 2 and secured the bronze medal.
In the mixed fours, Kathryn and her team from Queensland played Allen’s team and the Queenslanders secured their second victory for the week, placing seventh overall.
For Allen’s team, the story was already written in gold despite a disappointing finish.
Congratulations to Allen Armistead on the gold medal.
Peter and his team picked up a comfortable victory to finish out the week and the team placed fourth overall.
At the end of the tournament, several players were invited to trial for the Australian side to compete against New Zealand next year in Tasmania.
Congratulations to Brett Mungean on his invitation.
Next year the Australian Championships will head north to Blacktown, New South Wales.