Big V a big winner in first week of finals

WINNING form in the weeks leading into the commencement of the first game of finals in the Ballarat Highlands Bowls Region played on Saturday carried through with successful teams progressing onto Saturday Pennant final rounds.

Victoria’s Division 4, 7 and 8 sides go through to play in the Preliminary finals this weekend, while the club’s Division 1 team bowled strongly in the two finals played on the weekend.

That means the Big V’s top side progress through to contest the Division 1 grand final against Sebastopol which will be played on Sunday.

“We were pleased that all up we had 10 new players participating in finals in their first season of bowls with the Club which we consider is a great achievement,” said Victoria’s Peter Elshaug.

Ballarat North’s Division 5 side won their semi-final in a tightly contested match by five shots over Mount Xavier and now qualify for the grand final on Saturday 16 March.

Mount Xavier get a second chance and will contest the preliminary final this Saturday against City Oval.

The Hawks had a strong win over Victoria in Division 5 with all rinks up played at the Smeaton Bowling Club.

“We had two of our rinks start off strongly with Peter Oxlade’s rink leading 18 shots to two at one stage whilst Robert Vance’s rink performed well taking an 18 shot to five lead early in the game which set things up for us for the rest of the afternoon,” said City Oval’s Ian Robinson.

“This Saturday’s preliminary final against Mount Xavier will be tough as they are a good side.

“Our Division 8 side now progressed straight through to the grand final after their semi-final five-shot win over Linton who had a good season and headed the division competition throughout so that was a great achievement made possible by a strong win by John Tansley’s rink who scored 34 shots to 13.”

In Division 2 finals action played at Sebastopol Bowling Club, Smeaton won strongly with all rinks up over Victoria and now go through to play Midlands in this Saturday’s Preliminary.

Ballarat East reversed the results of the previous week’s game against Midlands to score the win that sees the side go through to contest the grand final in a week’s time.

Ballan’s Division 3 and 6 sides had good season’s heading up the ladder after the regular home and away competition and the semi-final played at Buninyong saw the team compete against the two BMS sides.

Ballan’s David O’Hanlon’s rink set up the win with a 31-shot victory and while BMS’ Michael Hampson scored a good 11-shot win, and the other rink scores were close it was unable to offset the O’Hanlon’s score.

The Ballan Division 3 side now progress through to the final while the club’s Division 6 squad front up this Saturday to play Waubra after the side lost a tightly fought contest against BMS.

Each team scored wins on two rinks with the deciding factor being the Adrian Venville’s foursome, who came away with the difference in the form of a nine-shot victory.

“Things are going well around the club in recent years and we have won grand finals in the last two years and have progressed up and we look forward to completing another good season,” said O’Hanlon.

“We have recruited a number of younger players to the club and now have a good mix of younger and experienced players across all age groups.

“Our small club retains a friendly family atmosphere which I am sure all helps contribute to our success.”

In Division 7 Invermay and Ballarat East had strong wins in the semi final round, with Ballarat East going straight through to the grand final and Invermay will meet Victoria to play off in this weekend’s preliminary final for the right to play off in the premiership game.

Games on: Ballarat North’s Martin Stewart helped his team win through to play in the BHBR Division 5 grand final in a week’s time. Photos: ANTHONY McCABE

Invermay skipper Brendan ‘Gus’ Molloy (middle) discusses the bowl he will play to third Terry Picone (left) in the Division 7 semi-final against Sebastopol.