Bowls finals not far away

LEADING into the finals for this season’s Ballarat bowls competition, clubs are planning to finish off strongly to enable them to qualify, or in other instances, have some of their teams win games in the final stretch to avoid relegation.

“At this stage our Saturday Pennant Division 2 side is in contention to play finals but needs to win games in our last three rounds of Pennant to get through,” said Buninyong president Graeme Nicholson.

“Our midweek Pennant sides in division 1 and 4 are also in contention for playing finals this year, but being in fifth position in both competitions will also need to perform strongly in their final games to get through.”

The Club’s loss in their home game last Saturday to the Smeaton Division 2 side has kept the side out of the four but it remains in close competition against Ballan who currently hold the fourth position with a lead of 8 points which Buninyong will need to overcome.

Buninyong will need to secure good wins and points in this Saturday’s game away at Ballarat Bowling Club and follow up in their home game against Waubra in round 17 to finally play Victoria away in the game that is set to be the decider of who makes the four.

Ballan have performed well in their first season of the Division 2 competition having been promoted after last season’s Division 3 premiership and managing 8 wins to date in the higher competition.

The club will be confident in their upcoming home match against Webbcona but can expect to be challenged by both Ballarat North and Midlands for their final games with those sides having performed well all season in the competition.

Buninyong’s Division 5 side is at the other spectrum as it hopes to win a game or two in the final three rounds to avoid relegation. Currently on the bottom of the division 5 ladder with the one win and 57 points it needs to overcome Daylesford who are the single point ahead.

Fate for the side could well come down to the last round when the side travels to Victoria where a must win will be needed in an attempt to offset relegation.

“Our Club has picked up six playing members during the season together with a further fifteen social members, some of which may become bowlers in the seasons ahead so I consider things at the Club are looking promising for the future” said Mr Nicholson.

The Buninyong Bowling Club will hold their Open Fours tournament on Sunday 16th February with a strong registration of entries already received for the event. The Ladies’ Irish Fours tournament is a Ballarat calendar favourite and will be held on Thursday 20th March commencing with morning green tea at 10am; entries may be made to Sandra Chapman on 0427 808 263.

As clubs head to the final games of the season Club selectors will need to be mindful of the rules of Pennant competition which requires in the final four games of competition Pennant no more than three bowlers in a division can have played more games in a higher division and in the finals eligible players cannot have played more games in higher division.

Exemptions may be granted in exceptional circumstances upon application to the controlling body.