Tiz the season to roll

CHRISTMAS cheer was celebrated early in Bungaree as the local bowls club had wins in all three divisions that compete in Ballarat-Highlands Bowls Region Saturday Pennant.

Playing at home against Learmonth the Division 5 side won by 12 shots with two rinks up and two down.

The win keeps Bungaree in touch with a possible finals berth at season end.

The home rinks rinks of Noel Kennedy and Brian Jones both had nine-shot victories, each with 21 shots to 12 which assured Bungaree took this week’s points.

Learmonth had wins in the rinks skipped by Liz Bourke and Graham Findlay, each with three-shots up at the conclusion of play.

“The club has had a good start to the year with all our three sides playing well,” said Bungaree’s Jason Frawley.

“In Division 5 it is pretty close with four sides each with three wins and three and in a tight battle for the four and a chance to play finals.”

Ballarat North head the Division 5 ladder, followed by Beaufort and City Oval on 101 and 100 points respectively, with Smeaton making up the four on 99 points and Learmonth and Bungaree both on 95 points followed by Creswick on 88 points.

Also playing at home and enjoying a win was Bungaree’s Division 7 side who are third on the ladder with four wins and two losses.

In their match against Ballarat North the home team had three rinks up with both Bungaree’s Robert Hermann and North’s Garry Turner finishing with 19 shots each.

“We are really pleased with our Division 7 side who are really going well and have a number of new bowlers who have taken up the game and come into the side,” Frawley said.

In the team was the family Hanrahan rink of three generations consisting of grandsons Xavier and Jacob, father Chris and grandfather Frank who shared in a shot win for their rink.

Bungaree’s leading side is competing in Division 2 and have progressed well this season, currently in second position with five wins behind the undefeated Clunes.

On Saturday they travelled to Ballarat where they played off for the 150 to 1 Shield, and came away decisive winners on the day and reclaiming the title.

Frawley said that each season the two clubs play off for the Shield that commemorates the first year that Bungaree formed a team to play bowls which was also the 150th year of the Ballarat Bowling Club.

Ballarat hosted Bungaree’s home matches for the early years until new greens were constructed at the town.

Bungaree Bowling Club members will return early in the New Year start preparations for their major annual tournament, the Stan Forbes Memorial Fours to be played on Sunday, 20 February.

All entries to be submitted to tournament director Jayson Frawley on 0427 393 063 or [email protected].

As competition breaks for the festive season, Ballarat-Highlands Bowls Region chair had a message for bowlers and supporters.

“The Board and I are grateful for the patience and support we have received from all bowlers as we have safely navigate our way through another season of COVID issues and we wish everyone a very merry Christmas shared with your family and look forward to your company on the greens in 2022 and a great year ahead for bowls,” he said.

Saturday Pennant will resume on 15 January after a short break for the Christmas and New Year period.

 

– BY ANTHONY McCABE