The annual match’s history stretches back to the 1960s, when Seymour sponsored the Whittlesea Bowls Club’s entry into the then-Central Bowls Association.
As a measure of gratitude, Whittleseas agreed to contest an annual trophy whenever the clubs’ division one sides first met each pennant season.
The challenge was named in honour of Tom Berry and Fred Owen, two stalwart life members of their respective clubs.
When Whittlesea left the CBA to compete in the metropolitan competition, it was agreed to continue the tradition as an annual practice match, with odd years played at Seymour VRI and even at Whittlesea.
After Whittleseas's domination in recent times, Seymour reversed its fortunes this year, securing the Berry Owen Shield with a 74-71 victory.
The shield was played in excellent spirits but serious affairs, given the prizes at stake.
Rink one: Seymour 16 d Whittlesea 14
The first rink saw Seymour’s Joy Cashill, John Crockett, Brent Voogt and Phil Challis jump out of the blocks to lead the Whittlesea team of M. Cooke, P. Lamont, J. Jeoffrey and G. Aldous.
Seymour began strongly and led 7-1 after the first five ends. However, Whittlesea won four of the next five ends to claw its way back into the contest.
The game got even tighter after 17 ends, with Seymour holding a narrow one-shot lead.
In the end, Seymour heldits nerves to take the match, 16-14.
Rink two: Seymour 16 lost to Whittlesea 19
In rink two, Seymour’s Kevin Cain, Ian Cashill, Peter Stevens and Joe Purcell took on Whittlesea’s M. Phillips, A. Gallenti, D. Lindsay and J. Yates.
Like in rink one, Seymour burst out of the blocks to lead 6-0 after the first five ends. However, Whittlesea calmed its nerves to win three of the next five ends to trail eight shots to six.
Seymour slowly regained the ascendancy to hold on to a two-shot lead after the 17th end.
However, that was the end of the scoring for Seymour, as Whittlesea secured the remaining four ends to take a narrow three-shot win.
Rink three: Seymour 25 d Whittlesea 17
In rink three, Seymour’s Jane Wilson, Carol Harrop, Jhett Wyatt and Brendan Challis took on Whittlesea’s G. Shinges, B. Tamlin, A. Cox and N. Owen.
After the first five ends, Seymour's great start saw it break away to a 9-0 lead.
However, Whittlesea fought back to level the scores at 11-all after 10 ends.
Seymour regained momentum over the next seven ends and, after 17 ends, held a seven-shot lead, 21-14.
The pressure continued over the remaining four ends, and Seymour went on to a great eight-shot win.
Rink four: Seymour 17 lost to Whittlesea 21
In rink four, Seymour’s Peter Delzotto, Bill Dawe, Moreno Puppa and Mick Szczykulski took on Whittlesea’s G. Malcolm, G. Alvands, R. Owen and Steve Bates.
In a change of pace from the other three games, Whittlesea came out of the blocks to lead 7-1 after the first five ends.
However, Seymour levelled the scores 9-0 after 10 ends.
The remaining ends saw Whittlesea come out on top in the day’s final game by four shots.
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