Royals face hurdle against Moama

BENDIGO faces a big hurdle in its quest for back-to-back Premier Division flags when it plays at Moama in Saturday’s semi-finals in Bendigo’s leg of Bendigo Campaspe Goldfields Bowls Saturday Pennant.

The second semi between the Royals and Steamers starts at 1.30pm.

The winner advances to the 10 March grand final and the vanquished will roll into the preliminary final to be played on 2 March.

The Steamers are on a 12-game winning streak after a 0-2 start which included a 21-shot loss at Bendigo in round one.

Next time around Moama surged to a 17-shot victory against the reigning champs at Moama as rinks skipped by Alex Marshall, Kevin Anderson and Cameron Keenan won by eight, four and eight shots.

Bendigo coach Luke Hoskin marked a three-shot win against Travis Kelly.

The Royals’ skippers in last Saturday’s win at Golden Square were Mitch Hocking, Tim Arnold, Luke Hoskin, and the legendary Ian Ross in his 500th match as a skipper.

Saturday’s first semi-final between South Bendigo and Bendigo East will be played at South Bendigo.

When they met in round 11 it was East which won a rain-affected match on South Bendigo’s turf by six shots.

In round four the Diggers won by four shots under East’s lights.

South Bendigo’s skippers in the latest win against Inglewood were Liam Crapper, Brad Holland, Daryl Rowley and Beau Traill.

Darren Burgess, James McGillivray, Marc Smith and Paul Vlaeminck are the likely skippers of the Magpies’ rinks for the must-win match.