Country bowls strong as ever

THE bowls competition between the neighbouring rural communities of Learmonth and Smeaton is keen, and both clubs have teams competing in various Ballarat-Highlands Bowls Region Saturday Pennant divisions that are seeking to head their respective ladders.

Last Saturday, Learmonth’s Division 3 side travelled to Smeaton, and in a hard-fought battle the visitors secured a good win with three rinks up.

The victory means Learmonth retain second place on the table and are challenging Litions grip at the top.

Both sides are equal with four wins each so far for the season and only separated by the solitary point with Linton being on 101 points to Learmonth’s 100.

On the Learmonth game, Smeaton’s Russell Leishman said his, “side didn’t bowl badly but the Learmonth team bowled well on the das.”

Smeaton hope to turn their fortune around this coming Saturday when they travel to BMS.

Meanwhile Smeaton’s Division 1 side visited Central Wendouree where they had strong win and picked up 16 points.

That effort now sees them the single point below ladder leaders City Oval with both teams undefeated on four wins for the season.

 

Likewise, it’s a close contest at the top for Division 5 where Smeaton’s strong home win against BMS saw them into second place on 94 points just behind Ballarat North who retain top spot on 96.

Both teams are also on four wins so far in season 2021/22, with Learmonth and Beaufort filling out the top four positions on the ladder as the former’s win put them into third position over the latter.

Smeaton’s president Kevin Clohesy said, “Things are going well for the Club overall and we have to keep it up for the rest of the season.

“Our club were pleased to host the BHBR Men’s & Women’s Triples championship on Sunday which was a successful day all round with terrific weather for playing bowls which saw a close competition and some very good bowls being played.”

Out of the BHBR Men’s & Women’s Triples, a Webbcona trio of Anne Draffen, Jenny Shepherd and Leah McArthur took the women’s comp

In the men’s final to be played this Sunday between Webbcona’s Geoff Gullock and Central Wendouree’s Len Vincent’s teams.

Smeaton Bowling Club will be holding its Annual Turkey Triples event this coming Sunday with entries to be forwarded to Graeme Perry on 0408 783 466.

As for their cross district rivals, Learmonth president Craig Findlay is pleased with the club’s progress this season with teams in the Premier Division as well as divisions three, five and eight.

He said all were competing well, with their division three and five sides placed well on the ladder.

“We have just held our annual TB White Four’s tournament which was a great success with both rinks full with 28 teams competing on the day,” Findlay said.

It was a great opportunity to christen our new synthetic green that received approval earlier in the week from BHBR green’s chairman Ian Hedger who signed off the new playing surface for pennant and competition bowls.

“Currently we are hosting the Waubra bowls club enabling their sides to play their home matches and undertake training on our greens whilst Waubra is waiting for the completion of their new synthetic green which is expected in the New Year.”

 

– BY ANTHONY McCABE