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.<\/p>\n
The results put them a clear game ahead of division mates Ballarat North, Clunes, and Webbcona.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“We went into the game with some confidence but the Clunes team bowled well all day,\u201d Clarke said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnnear’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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Ballarat North and Clunes now occupy fifth and sixth positions.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Clarke said Webbcona had been having issues willing out squads.<\/p>\n
“Our top side is going well in Division 1 and currently third just a few points behind Sebastopol in second,\u201d<\/p>\n
“Unfortunately, a shortage of available bowlers to play on Saturday has affected our Division 4, 6 and 8 teams this season.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn 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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
\u201cA 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Enquiries and team entries for that event can go through Clarke 0448 533 926.<\/p>\n