13/09/2026
“ROLLING ALONG”
A 2026-27 SEYMOUR VRI PRESS RELEASE
by Wrong Bias dated 13th September 2026
STUART ARTHUR DOYLE TROPHY DAY
Well, what a difference a week makes at this time of the year. This morning we awoke to see that last weekend’s rains, which caused the cancellation of our initial practice match against Lancefield had dispersed to reveal a perfect spring day as the members under the guidance of greenkeeper Joe Purcell prepared the greens to do battle with sister club Seymour for the time honoured S.A.D. Trophy, named after Stuart Arthur Doyle a great stalwart of both clubs and played annually as a pre-season practice match between Seymour VRI and Seymour Bowling Clubs, on a rotation basis, this year, Saturday 12th September was at the VRI greens.
Whilst missing a number of last year’s top side for various reasons, family, footy finals, overseas, transferred etc it also gave a number of new members a great opportunity to show their wares at a higher level before the watching selectors, as the club stepped out for a first competitive hit out under the steady gaze of our new coach David Ellis and unfortunately, in the usual expected tight tussle that is the S.A.D. Trophy, where scores were extremely close on 3 rinks, no greater than 2 shots difference, there was unexpectedly one rink that suffered a very disappointing 18 shot loss, a margin that in the end proved to be the difference on the day, with the final result of the four-rink match-up a19 shot victory and retention of the S.A.D. Trophy going to the Seymour Bowling Club - Seymour VRI 74 lost to SEYMOUR 93.
Whilst the competition for the S.A.D. Trophy was taking place on the main green another 6 rinks were enjoying the spring weather with a competitive but social game of bowls on the adjoining VRI Hall green, before joining together in the clubhouse at the completion of the matches, where everyone enjoyed a sumptuous afternoon tea provided by the VRI members and the usual refreshing hospitality of the VRI club.
S.A.D. TROPHY RESULTS
Rink 1 Jim Furletti, Leigh Wyatt, Jeff Rhue and Jhett Wyatt (s) began well, pitted against Dale Sellick’s rink in what was to be a tight contest right to the very last end. With both scoring 2’s on the first 2 ends it was Jhett’s rink gaining an initial break by scoring 5 shots on the next 3 ends before Dale’s rink came back with 3 shots of their own, which left Jhett’s rink holding a narrow 2 shot advantage 7 to 5 after that 7th end. Again, both rinks added 2 shots each on the 8th and 9th ends before Jhett’s rink once again had a run of 4 consecutive end wins adding a further 7 shots before dropping a single to Dale’s rink, which saw Jhett’s rink holding a deserving 8 shot lead 16 to 8 after the 14th end. However, as had been the case in this particular match, Dale’s rink was not going to concede the match and in winning the following four ends managed to pick up a huge 9 shots, which included a 4 and 3 on the 15th and 16th ends, to find themselves holding a narrow 1 shot lead after the 18th end, and with just 3 ends to play, it was anyone’s game to win or lose. Those final 3 ends were closely fought and, in a tense, finish all 3 ends saw single shots scored, but with all of those scores going to Jhett’s rink it resulted in a narrow winning margin of 2 shots in Jhet’s rinks favour, SEYMOUR VRI 19 def Seymour 17
Rink 2 Jane Wilson, Brenton Crispen, Leon Zolnierczyk and Joe Purcell (s) found themselves up against Max Hammond’s rink and after an even start where Joe’s rink won 4 of the first 7 ends to score 5 shots and Max, 3 ends scoring 6 shots there was just 1 shot difference after the 7th end in Max’s favour. Dropping 6 shots on the 8th end followed by a further 2 shots on the 9th end Joe’s rink suddenly found themselves trailing by 9 shots and needing to get back into the game, which they did as over the following 4 ends there were only singles scored with 3 going to Joe’s rink which halted the rot for the time being, however dropping a further 3 shots on the 14th end undid all of that earlier good work and left Joe’s rink trailing by 10 shots after 14 ends 8 to 18. Once again, the next 3 ends all went to Max’s rink extending their lead out to 14 shots after the 17th end before Joe managed to add 3 shots on the 18th end closing the margin to 11 shots with 3 ends left to play. Unfortunately, as had been the pattern all day for Joe’s rink, all 3 of those ends went to Max’s rink as they added a further 7 shots, leaving Joe’s rink facing a heavy 18 shot loss, Seymour VRI 11 lost to SEYMOUR 29
Rink 3 Peter Hockley, Ian Cashill, Mario Furletti and Moreno Puppa (s) drew Robert “Biggles” Brown’s rink and were quickly 4 shots down after dropping 2 shots on each of the first 2 ends before winning he following 4 ends to add 7 shots of their own to hold a 3 shots lead after the 6th end, but, dropping 4 shots on the 7th end Moreno’s rink found themselves trailing by a single shot 7 to 8. After 10 ends Moreno’s rink trailed by 2 shots but winning the next 3 ends and adding 7 shots, they found themselves holding a 5 shot advantage after 12 ends, however, not to be outdone, “Biggles” rink hit back on the 13th end scoring 3 shots before Moreno’s rink added 4 shots of their own on the 14th end to hold a handy 6 shot lead with 7 ends remaining. A further 2 shots on the 15th end extended Moreno’s lead out to 8 shots and then splitting singles on the 16th and 17 ends maintained that lead with just 4 ends left to play. The 18th end saw 2 shots to “Biggles” rink followed by a single to Moreno’s rink on the 19th end saw that lead reduced to 7 shots, but there were only 2 ends remaining. Dropping 2 shots on the 20th and penultimate end left Moreno’s rink holding a very handy 5 shot margin and without a disaster they were home for all money, BUT a disaster it was to be as on that 21st end as “Biggles” rink did the improbable and scored the biggest score of any end during the match adding 6 shots to leave Moreno’s rink going down by just 1 shot, Seymour VRI 23 lost to SEYMOUR 24
Rink 4 Jasper Radobuljac, Allen Welch, Wayne Noonan and David Ellis (s) were match up against Alison Hall’s rink in a battle of the “coaches” which was close all day. Alison’s rink with a 3 and a 2 on the first 2 ends jumped out to a 5 shot advantage before 2 shots to David’s rink on the 3rd end got them on the card, however another 2 and 3 shots to Alison’s rink saw the margin grow to 8 shots after 5 ends. David’s rink then steadied and drew within 3 shots after adding 5 shots of their own, including a 4 on that 7th end, to trail by just 3 shots after 7 ends 7 to 10. Davids’ rink drew even with a 3 on the 8th end before falling behind after dropping 2 shots on the 9th end and in splitting singles David’s rink were trailing by those 2 shots after 11 ends. In a surge over the 12th to 14th ends won David’s rink added 6 shots to taka a handy 4 shot lead 17 to 13 after 14 ends, and with 7 ends remaining it was anyone’s game. A single on the 15th end to Alison’s rink reduced the lead to 3 shots before 3 shots on the 16th end saw Davidd’s rink extend their lead out to a handy 6 shots with just 5 ends remaining. That was when Alison’s rink surged and in winning the next 4 ends added 9 shots, including a 5 on the 19th end, to hold 3 shots lead with just 1 end left to play. That last end was won by David’s rink, nut in adding just 1 shot the battle was lost leaving David’s rink finally succumbing by just 2 shots after a titanic struggle, Seymour VRI 21 lost to SEYMOUR 23
UPCOMING PRACTICE MATCHES
A reminder to all of our members that with the Goulburn Valley pennant competition not commencing until 10th October we still have a couple of further practice games to get up to speed and the selectors would love to see everyone available for the remaining practice matches, so please help out the selectors and indicate your availability on the lists in the clubhouse, next Sunday 20th September we will again be at home as we look for an improved performance, this time against old friends Whittlesea Bowls Club, as we battle for control of the venerable Berry-Owen Trophy and then finally on Saturday 3rd October our final hit out at Alexandra where we will no doubt be well looked after.
Doyle family members involved in the presentation to Club presidents Ian Cashill (VRI) and Max Hammond (Seymour)
