Stawell’s bowls clubs remain firmly in the premiership conversation, with strong finals performances ensuring there is still plenty to play for across both Division One and Division Two in the Grampians Lawn Bowls Playing Area competition.

Stawell Golf Bowling Club is still alive in both divisions, despite losing both its matches, while Stawell Bowling Club has already booked its place in the Division Two grand final after a convincing semi-final victory over town rivals Stawell Golf.

In Division One, Stawell Golf suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of a powerful Chalambar Golf outfit, going down 55-91 in a match where Chalambar’s consistency across the rinks proved too difficult to contain. Despite some promising patches throughout the day, Stawell Golf struggled to keep pace as Chalambar piled on shots and controlled the tempo of the contest.

The loss means Stawell Golf now faces a do-or-die clash tomorrow, when they host Ararat VRI at Stawell Golf Club for a spot in the grand final. A win would set up a rematch with Chalambar Golf.

Stawell Bowling Club, however, has claimed local bragging rights after a thrilling 72-67 victory over Stawell Golf in Division Two.

Despite only winning one rink on the day, Stawell did enough to secure the overall win, with the decisive performance coming from the rink skipped by Trevor Skurrie. Alongside Trevor Preston, Mark McEvoy and Mark Galdes, Skurrie guided his side to an impressive 29-17 win, providing Stawell with the crucial margin needed to advance.

Stawell Golf fought hard and claimed the other two rinks in much tighter contests. Terry Ellis, supported by Murray McGaffin, Michael Burrett and Rob Gibson, recorded a 23-19 win, while Bruce Blenheim’s rink of Graham Pearson, Graham Healy and Peter Cross edged out a narrow 27-24 victory.

Stawell Golf will now host Aradale tomorrow for a place in the grand final, with the winner to meet Stawell in what looms as another highly anticipated local showdown next week.