Bowls back after break

START of the new year in Ballarat Highlands Bowls Region Pennant action saw Ballarat Memorial Sport facility in full use last weekend with all rinks rolling as the club hosted competitors from Linton, Bungaree, Ballan, and Victoria.

It turned out to be a successful afternoon for BMS with three sides getting wins.

In a tight contest in Division 3 BMS regained momentum after a couple of washout games just prior to Christmas and leapfrogging from sixth to third position on 144 points on the latter.

The move came after a comprehensive win over Bungaree who now are fourth on 140 points followed by Sebastopol on the same, and Central Wendouree 130.

Ladder leaders Ballan, who have had a terrific season so far, were strongly challenged on Saturday by eighth placed Beaufort who travelled down the highway to nearly take the new year’s cheer away from the home club.

Ballan’s rink skippered by David O’Hanlon had a good 10-shot win helping the club scrape home with a two-shot victory overall.

This weekend Bungaree take on Invermay, and the result may provide a gauge on the leadership group in Division 3.

Invermay will come into the game with confidence after a strong win over Ballarat last weekend.

Likewise, BMS need to continue their winning form as they head to Sebastopol.

Sebastopol and Central Wendouree are just out of the four need to give themselves every chance, with the latter to play Daylesford.

BMS had a good win against the strong Ballan team in Division 6 through the performance of Harry Johannsen’s rink that blitzed the competition with a 34 shots to five win.

Although the other Ballan rinks of John Crouch, David McConnell and Neville Smith got a victory, their winning margins were insufficient to offset the damage caused by the BMS “Walker” rink.

With only five games to be played for the season before finals it would appear the top four positions may be settling in with Smeaton heading the table on 152, followed by Waubra on 145, Beaufort with 143 and Ballan on142).

City Oval on 127 points and Clunes with 117 could give themselves a chance for a final four position depending on their form in the later stages of the season with the two sides set to play against each other at City Oval in round 16.

The Division 1 competition has been governed by the strong BMS season from the start who remain undefeated.

Last Saturday BMS accounted for Linton thanks to strong wins in the Mick Hughes and Ryan Bedggood rinks, while Linton’s Brendan Williams foursome narrowly got up by two shots over Phil Clamp.

The contest between David Berry and Aaron Wood concluded in a draw.

It remains to be seen if last year’s premiers, Victoria can win sufficient games to gain the points push into the four at the expense of Linton.

In the final game, Victoria’s strong Division 7 side comfortably accounted for BMS, although in the second half the home side played well to reduce the initial margin.

The Division 7 ladder leaders are Ballarat East on 209 and Victoria with 190 points followed by Invermay on 134, Mount Xavier and Sebastopol jointly 116 and Ballarat North with 106.

– ANTHONY McCABE