Xavier’s fours still perfect

MOUNT Xavier’s Ballarat-Highlands Bowls Region Saturday Pennant Division four side are travelling well for finals.

The team is still undefeated although they had a close call in their match against Buninyong on Saturday and got home by two shots.

“It was a bit of a wakeup call and our match the week earlier at Midlands was also tight” said Mount Xavier’s Norm Hughes.

The Division 4 ladder leaders also City Oval, Victoria and Sebastopol.

“We have been fortunate that the composition of our rinks in the side have been stable most of the year and only on the few occasions have players been unavailable to play and this together with the selectors only doing the minimal of changes to the teams where required has all helped in our success,” Hughes said.

“Young Ben McDonald started with us in Division 4 at the start of the year and showed good form so we promoted him up into our Premier side where he has settled in playing second with Phil McGrath’s rink which has performed consistently all season.

“We have a couple of young bowlers playing in Premiers and the experience they are receiving now will be great for the future ahead”

In Buninyong news the men’s club champion progressed to Region’s Champion of Champions event although on reaching the semi-final he came up against the young gun bowler from Gisborne, Ethan Higgins who took the honours in the afternoon’s match on Sunday.

“It was an exciting game and it came down to the last couple of ends,” said Buninyong president Sandra Chapman

Buninyong is also well organised for its upcoming Irish Day Ladies Tournament, set for Wednesday, 16 March taking into account Ireland’s dateline time differential. All entries can be forwarded to Chapman via 0427 808 263.

Buninyong’s Premier side is challenging for a finals berth on equal points as fourth placed Webbcona and only dipping out by percentage and with two of their final three games for the season at home give themselves every chance to play finals.

 

– BY ANTHONY McCABE