mmg.com.au

There are no more Goulburn Valley bowlers left in the Australian Open singles events at Darebin City Bowls Club.

A day that began with such great hope ended with four losses to the region’s remaining players yesterday.

Mooroopna coach Mark Ryan, fresh from ousting world fours champion Wayne Ruediger in Sunday’s opening round, was the last to bow out against talented youngster Matthew Ayres.

The tone was set on the first end.

Ryan was holding three shots, only for Ayres — who had three back bowls — to successfully trail the kitty and earn three shots.

Ayres eventually beat the reigning Victorian Open titlist 9-4, 13-5 in their afternoon clash.

‘‘I got out-bowled. He just bowled better than I did,’’ Ryan said.

‘‘Whenever he needed to play a shot he got it ... he was aggressive and just backed himself to get the shots, so hats off to him — he did well.

‘‘It wasn’t meant to be my day, which is disappointing, but I’m looking forward to playing on a nice, quick green on Saturday at Shepparton Golf.’’

Ryan’s fellow Goulburn Valley first round men’s singles winners Luke Spargo and Matt Robertson exited in contrasting fashion.

Seymour’s Spargo took his match with Clayton’s highly rated Tony Wood to a tie-breaker before losing 4-9, 7-6, 0-4, while ex-Shepparton Golf bowler Matt Robertson suffered a 1-10, 3-9 hiding against the experienced Neville Rodda.

Former Shepparton Park player Donna Clarke was unable to replicate her third round run from three years ago, going down 2-10, 9-8, 2-5 to Norma Cleghorn in first round women’s action.

Shepparton Park sisters Di Hands and Kate Bush lost their round-of-16 women’s pairs match in straight sets, while Hill Top’s Mick Hooper and Ross Coulston won their second round men’s pairs game in a tie-breaker to make the last 16.