Play heads up ahead of holiday slowdown

THE competition in Saturday’s bowls Division 2 took a decisive direction last week weekend with the top four teams consolidating their position for the season.

The results put them a clear game ahead of division mates Ballarat North, Clunes, and Webbcona.

Leading into Saturday afternoon, Webbcona were confident their home ground advantage might secure them a win giving them an opportunity if they finished strongly in the final games to be played in the New Year an opportunity to challenge for a finals berth.

Unfortunately, a win by Clunes in three rinks aided by a very strong performance by Geoff Annear’s foursome saw the visitors take out the game by 40 shots with Tom Clarke being the only Webbcona winner on the day.

“We went into the game with some confidence but the Clunes team bowled well all day,” Clarke said.

“Annear’s rink played particularly well throughout the afternoon whilst a couple of our rinks were competitive for the most part but Clunes finished off strongly to take out the game with us only securing the one rink up.”

With the Clunes win, and Ballarat North having a comfortable win at home over Buninyong, it meant Webbcona slipped from fifth to the seventh position on the ladder.

Ballarat North and Clunes now occupy fifth and sixth positions.

Victoria managed a good win at home against the ladder leaders, Ballarat East and reduced East’s over lead in the competition to only one shot to Midlands who had a successful afternoon away at City Oval’s expense.

Clarke said Webbcona had been having issues willing out squads.

“Our top side is going well in Division 1 and currently third just a few points behind Sebastopol in second,”

“Unfortunately, a shortage of available bowlers to play on Saturday has affected our Division 4, 6 and 8 teams this season.

“On Saturday we had about 20 bowlers unavailable and consequently our Division 8 side had to forfeit their match that was to be played at Linton.

“On the good side things are going well around the club and we all had a great Christmas function back in the clubhouse after bowls this Saturday.

“A few weeks ago we held a successful activity function raising about $6500 for the Club and there is good interest for our upcoming FW Barnes Classic Pairs tournament to be played on Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 January.”

Enquiries and team entries for that event can go through Clarke 0448 533 926.

– ANTHONY McCABE