Finals roll on

BOWLS finals are upon us this coming weekend and the Skipton Golf and Bowls Club look forward in anticipation that March will bring success to the Club which they can share with their community in their quest for a Premiership in the Division 8 Ballarat bowls competition.

Victoria Bowling Club headed up the Division 8 ladder having only lost three times during the season and their win over Bungaree last Saturday saw no change to the ladder positions. The division competition was affected by the Linton and Sebastopol game being called off during the week due a total fire ban day being called for the Saturday which directly affected all bowls played by Creswick, Midlands and Sebastopol clubs.

Last Saturday playing at home the Skipton bowlers went into the afternoon tea break with a slender margin over Central Wendouree before the game had to be cancelled due to the heat rule. Consequently the Club will play Victoria bowling club where it hopes to overcome an inform Victoria side to go through qualifying to play the final in a fortnight. Central Wendouree will need to retain their good form to eliminate Linton to go through to play the loser from the Victoria and Skipton match.

Central Wendouree’s Bruce Eldridge puts a bowl down in their match played at Skipton. Photos: SUPPLIED

“This is our second year in the Ballarat competition and the move into Division 8 which only requires 12 bowlers has enabled us to field a competitive side each Saturday, and should we have a player away on the day we are able to cover the position” said the Club’s skipper Frank Ellingham.

“The Club’s numbers are not what they used to be since many farmers who moved into the district years ago on Soldier Settlers’ blocks are now retiring and moving away and consequently some of the farms are merging into larger landholdings and this is reducing our overall community population.

“The spirit around the Club is really good and when we played our Club’s annual tournament this season we had all rinks full which was terrific.”

Skipton’s Tim Clarke said they are organising meals in the clubhouse on Thursdays through to Sundays during the summer months.

Central Wendouree’s Ted Burke and Glenis Keilar together with Skipton’s Douglass Smith and skipper Andrew Greenwood all deliberating their shots to play.

“This is well received in the community and providing a positive outcome for the Club; particularly since we lost our local pub a few years back,” he said.

“Shortly we aim to embark on a recruitment drive to further develop the prospects for our Club.”

Creswick’s Division 1 side match against Learmonth was not affected by the Fire Ban restrictions that as it was scheduled for Friday night played under lights at Creswick’s home green.

In the game Learmonth started strongly before Creswick took the upper hand and went on to win on the night which proved a fitting celebration for the Club’s 150th year.

The rink of Gerry Flapper came from a 1 shot to 8 shots deficit in the early part of the game to finish off strongly winning their rink 31 shots to 18.

Central Wendouree skipper Brian Kiley sets up to bowl whilst Skipton’s Claudette Schubert looks on.

Creswick’s Stephen Hepworth rink also played strongly throughout the evening, going through to record a 31 shot to 15 win which helped ensure Creswick finished the off night taking 14 points to Learmonth’s 4 points which the home side won by 9 shots overall.

The top division finals will be played this weekend at Webbcona bowling club. This Saturday Victoria will play off against Sebastopol whilst City Oval who have finished off their season strongly will take on BMS to determine who will go through to play the Preliminary final on Sunday against the loser from the Victoria and Sebastopol match.