Women claim silver at states

THE Ballarat Highlands Bowls Region women’s team have gone through to win the Silver Cup in this year’s State’s Region Sides Championships.

Played in Ballarat, on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 January, the effort came after an impressive display of bowling.

The win by Ballarat Highlands Women’s side compliments a successful season which has seen the team take out the Valerie Page Shield against the Geelong Region team last October, followed up by the squad’s win in the 2023-2024 Provincial Championships in November.

“I was absolutely thrilled with our team’s success over the weekend and very proud of the players achievement,” said team manager Lynette Bryce.

“The rink skippered by Sarah Braybrook was the best performing rink of the tournament.

“It was pleasing to see Learmonth’s young Addy Ryan enjoy the team’s success in her first year representing the Region.”

The weekend event was managed by Bowls Victoria and played on Saturday using the greens at Central Wendouree, Sebastopol, Victoria and Webbcona.

A total of 16 regions from throughout the State competed.

The competition was divided into two sections of eight region sides each- one gold and the other silver.

The winning of the Silver Cup will mean Ballarat Highlands Women’s team will go through to compete in next year’s season gold section.

The rink skippered by Sarah Braybrook lead the way winning 20 shots to 11 in their first round match against Gippsland.

In the second match that rink had a 14 to 10-shot victory over their counterparts from Goulburn Murray, and in the final game on Saturday they home side won 20 shots to eight.

The final on Sunday morning saw the Braybrook rink take a commanding 22 shots to eight win helping Ballarat Highlands 54 shots to West Coast Bowls Region 38 shots.

Skipped by Braybrook, the rink comprised Helena Cyrulo as lead, Lynette Lock in second, and Amy Newman third.

The Ballarat Highland’s men’s side competed well in the three rounds played on Saturday but failed to progress to play in Sunday’s final.

In the three round matches played on Saturday the team drew their first game with Gippsland on 44 shots a piece, then lost 33 to 47 against Yarra Bowls Region before having a good win in their final match against Geelong 42 to 35.

Yarra Bowls Region narrowly edged out Ballarat Highlands to go on to play in Sunday’s final which they convincingly won 41 to 34 against the Sandbelt Bowls Region and take out the Silver Cup.

– ANTHONY McCABE