Big V holds on strong ahead of break

VICTORIA Bowling Club will head into the Christmas with four out of their six Saturday Pennant sides placed in the top four while in Tuesday Pennant action the Club has three of its four teams in the top four positions.

The Club will be host a number of critical games at home this Saturday that can influence playing finals at season end.

Victoria’s Division 4 team will play off at home against Ballan top side which includes State squad player Anne Draffen.

The Ballan side are clear leaders ahead of Sebastopol, followed by Victoria and Midlands who are in a close contest for the final two positions in the top four.

Victoria’s Robert Chapman is confident that a good performance at home will set up the Division 4 side for run to finals after the Christmas break.

“It will be a tight match on Saturday as the Ballan side is in terrific form,” he said.

The Club’s division 1 team are clear winners in their competition with eight straight wins, two ahead of Mt Xavier.

It’s a tight race in Saturday’s Division 5 competition where Victoria are placed in third and all top four teams separated by a single win and comfortably ahead of the other sides.

This weekend the team host division leaders City Oval and a strong win will assist in setting up for a good run home into the finals.

Also representing the club well is the Division 7 side in second position just below the strong performing Clunes but well ahead of the other squads.

Tuesday Pennant has been a good competition for the club with their Division 1, 3 and 5 sides placed in the four.

The division 3 team is in a close battle with the Linton for the top two spots and comfortably ahead of Invermay and Midlands that round off the top positions.

“The club is going well all round this year under the leadership of our president Janet Norman which includes a good social program that keeps all our members and their families entertained,” said Chapman.

“After bowls this Saturday we are having our Christmas barbecue which will include Bob Whitcher’s monster Christmas raffle.

“We will kick off the new year with an annual meet up with our sister club, the Doncaster Bowls Club on Sunday, 8 January after a two-year hiatus due to the previous COVID restrictions.”

Club representatives Debbie Gorin and Jill Hopper enjoyed success winning the Ballarat Highlands Bowls Region championship in the Women’s Over 60’s pairs event.

The Men’s pair of Barry Clark and Noel Verlinden made the semi-final in their competition but were unable to win through, while Noel Verlinden was runner up in this season’s Men’s Over 60’s singles.

Victoria will again hold their afternoon themed Australia Day Fours tournament on 26 January and welcome entries from all clubs and the Club will also hold its 40th Gold Nugget Fours tournament on Sunday, 19 March.

– BY ANTHONY McCABE