Hawks fly high at home

CITY Oval Bowling Club had an early Christmas celebration with its teams that played at home on Saturday all getting wins in Ballarat District Bowls Division action.

Yet the success didn’t translate to the road as the Hawks Division 2 side lost at Bungaree, while Division 4 went down at Victoria.

Back at the nest, City Oval’s Pennant Division 1 game against Victoria saw a mixed result for the Hawks with two rinks winning comfortably and two going down to Big-V combinations.

On the beautiful grass surface running at 14 seconds, the best draw bowlers came to the fore.

Peter Cameron was in outstanding form for the home side as he, Leigh McKenzie, Liz Kierce and Ken Magrath won by 20 shots.

Not to be outdone, Dante Prenc, Peter Hawkins, Helene Stenning and Noel Verlinden for the Vics also played superbly scoring by 15 shots.

The overall result saw the Hawks win by 16 shots, meaning they hold top position on the table with four wins and a loss, and sit above Midlands, Beaufort and Victoria, who make up the top four positions on the Division 1 ladder.

Also at home, the Hawks’ Division 5 side had a seven-shot victory over Learmonth meaning they hold top position on the ladder, while City Oval Brown and Gold hold the top two spots in Division 8.

After the match, City Oval held their Christmas function where the 2019/2020 awards were presented.

The Club Champions were, Ben Morris in men, and Elizabeth Kierce in women.

Kierce was also the BDBD and Regional 60+ Singles champion and she with Jenny Harman are currently the 60+ BDBD and Regional pairs champions. They will play off for the State title at Warrnambool in January.

The highlight of the night saw club chairman Lloyd Sims present life member badges to Glad Hogg, Charlie Bolte, Ron Coxall and Joe Arnold.

Bolte was also recognised for his outstanding contribution to the club in pennant competition by being awarded a 700-game medallion.

-BY ANTHONY MCCABE