All to play for in final round

THE last round of home and away matches in the Ballarat Highlands Bowls Division this Saturday provided a glimpse of what could be expected. as finals get underway.

That’s particularly so in the Division 9 competition where Victoria will host City Oval, and a good win for the Big V will allow them to displace Sebastopol who currently hold the first round bye.

Victoria have a number of teams in contention for finals and the Division 5 side currently placed fifth, a single shot behind Bungaree.

That Big V squad will be hosting the top placed Ballarat North and will require a strong performance with Bunga favourites for their match against Midlands.

In other Midlands.. news, they head up the ladder in Division 4 and will host Victoria in a contest that should see both teams retaining the top two spots and the chance for a double chance.

Sebastopol will look secure in third place, while fourth will be a tight race between Smeaton, who hold the spot and Learmonth just behind them.

Learmonth will be hosting BMS and will look for a good win to advance their chances, while Bungaree will have to travel to Sebastopol and need to secure a good win to keep their dream alive.

Ballarat North will complete the round of matches in top spot in Division 5 while the club’s Division 2 side is in fifth place and have a mathematical opportunity to seek into the four.

BMS’ strong win away at Ballan last Saturday, against the side who headed up table is an interesting lead into the finals.

Ballan should rebound strongly when they travel to Invermay and play spoiler to a home side if unable to gain the win and points necessary will be out of the finals race.

Third place Central Wendouree are at Ballarat and it can be expected they should have a comfortable win against the hosts in comparison to Bungaree who travel to Beaufort and need to perform well and win to retain fourth place.

The outcome of the BMS and Buninyong match being played at BMS may well determine if BMS can retain the double chance.

A good performance by BMS Division 6 side in the latter part of the season has seen them just four points out of the four and with a narrow gap between Smeaton, Waubra and Beaufort.

Results from Saturday matches will have a determining factor for the division’s final layout.

Division 7 ladder is settled with Ballarat East clear leaders followed by Victoria, Invermay and Sebastopol and it is expected things will remain unchanged.

In Division 1 is BMS who have only dropped one game all season and will conclude the summer ahead of Sebastopol, Webbcona and the Victoria side who have finished off the last part of the season strongly to move into the four.

– ANTHONY McCABE