Sport
1 March, 2026
Wilson's way: Takes out first champions of champions title
INGLEWOOD bowler Geoff Wilson has added the Bendigo Playing Area Champion of Champions trophy to his collection of awards.
Wilson, who has been part of victorious Victorian teams at national arm bowls championships, took out the final in Moama on Sunday.
Officials relocated the district final from Golden Square because of weather concerns.
It was played on carpet and undercover in 32-degree heat, with Wilson describing conditions as “like a humid bloody cesspool”.
Still, he was able to overcome Kangaroo Flat’s Ron Payne, a fellow arm bowler, 27-20 in a rollercoaster match.
Wilson, whose only previous appearance in the event ended in the first round, got off to a strong start, leading 6-0 before Payne recovered and then hit the lead.
The match was tied up at 15-15 when Wilson decided to change his length and “had a little more touch”.
He led 24-20 before taking an extra three shots on the last end.
The first three rounds of the knockout 16-man event were played on one exhausting day on the Golden Square rinks earlier this month.
“We played in 40kmh winds – and I played 85 ends of bowls for the day,” Wilson said.
While he talked down his personal pride in the champion of champions accolade, Wilson said the win was a boost for the Inglewood club.
“You come from a little club, and you win an event like that – it’s a bonus for the club,” he said.
“Hopefully you can show some of your younger teammates how to improve and show what you can do from humble beginnings.”
Meanwhile, club members Ian Chamberlain and David Whitehead have won their way through to the region bowling arm final which is a new event organised by the Region.
Simon Laird has won his way through to the semi-finals of the novice bowlers event and Brendan Hopcott is half way through his game (postponed due to rain) to progress to the semi- finals as well.
The novice event is open to all bowlers who have been an affiliated bowling club member for less than three years.
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