Friday night lights up for Div 3

BALLARAT Highlands Bowls Region had its first night match for the season last Friday with Sebastopol’s Division 3 side travelling to BMS.

The home side started off strongly getting to a 28-shot lead midway through the game before Sebastopol fought back to reduce the deficit to under 20, only to see BMS take the ascendancy in the final ends.

The end result was an overall 35-shot win to BMS and all rinks up.

Scott McLean’s rink from BMS had a 19 shot victory over the strong Sebastopol side skippered by John Hofstra, while Ian Hedger’s rink lowered their colours for the first time for the season losing out Mick Hampson’s rink by eight shots.

It is a tight contest in the top half of the division ladder with the win putting BMS just inside the four with Sebastopol placed sixth only separated by percentage and a narrow four points.

“The greens rolled well all night and the prevailing light winds had no effect on the bowls being played except as the sun set the temperature did noticeably cool down for the players,” said Sebastopol’s Ian Hedger.

“It was pleasing to see many supporters from both clubs take the opportunity to come along to watch the game and support both the participating teams which made it a great night overall.”

This coming weekend the Sebastopol’s Division 3 side will host Invermay who are presently second on the ladder.

A good win by Sebastopol could see the team regain a top four position.

“It’s going to be hard to top last year which saw the club have six of its eight participating Saturday Pennant teams play off in the finals but nevertheless we are hopeful to have another successful Pennant season all round,” said Sebastopol’s bowls manager Rob Baker.

“Our Tuesday Pennant teams are having a competitive season thanks to some additional players participating and giving the sides greater depth.”

Sebastopol have introduced the new initiative in the Ballarat bowls calendar by organising the Ladies Spring series competition.

“This involves a six-week competition which is hosted by different clubs each week with the coming week’s competition being played at Webbcona and City Oval bowling clubs,” said Baker.

“We have had a great response with entries to our annual Great Southern Open Fours tournament that the club has scheduled for Friday 5th through to Sunday 7th January.

“This is an icon event on the Ballarat bowls calendar with a total prize money of $16,000 there is keen interest again”.

– ANTHONY McCABE