High hopes at the Big V

MEMBERS of Victoria Bowling Club are working towards finishing off strongly in the second half of the season to consolidate and progress a number of their divisional sides into a position to play finals come March.

“Our Division 4 side is on top of their ladder competition at present and travelling well and although we were runners up last year we hope if we can win this season’s final the side might be promoted to play in the Division 3 competition next year” said club member Peter Elshaug.

“The other sides competing in the Saturday competition are all placed with an opportunity to go into the finals if we can come home strongly in the last half of the Pennant season”.

Last Saturday’s washout of Ballarat Highlands Bowls Division play narrows the window of opportunity for many teams and leaves only seven games to make the final four.

“Our Division 2 side is currently fourth with Helene Stenning’s rink bowling particularly well and this coming Saturday’s match with Ballarat East will be important for us and hopefully playing at home will be to our advantage to retain a position in the four,” said Elshaug.

Ballarat East, with only one loss to date is sure to test Victoria while Webbcona, Ballarat North, Waubra and Clunes are challenging for a final four position.

Victoria’s Division 5 side, currently in fifth and comfortably ahead of Sebastopol, will nevertheless need to finish off strongly to gain the extra 20 shots or so required to displace either Bungaree or City Oval for a finals berth.

While last year’s Victoria’s Division 1 Premier side is facing stiff competition and currently placed fifth with Linton, Victoria and City Oval all closely competing for the fourth position in that Division.

“We are looking for our top division to come strongly in the remaining games” said Elshaug.

The ability of the rink of Craig Ford and Tony Wood to join the winning form of Brent Coad and Wayne Lynch’s rink in the final half could be a determining factor for the team.

BMS lead the top division with its nine outright wins to date.

Victoria’s Division 7 side is going well and currently second behind the strong Ballarat East squad that remains undefeated so far this year, but well ahead of Mt Xavier, Sebastopol, Invermay and Midlands who are competing for the two remaining positions.

Victoria’s Division 8 side is securely holding onto third position in the competition’s of six teams whilst their Division 9 side are also in with a chance for playing finals currently placed fifth where all teams are in a tight race for a finals berth.

The Tuesday Pennant sees Victoria’s Division 3 side comfortably placed third.

“We should do all right in Divisions 3 and hopefully we will finish off the season in good form to compete well in this season’s finals,” said team member Helene Stenning.

“The other Victoria sides in Divisions 1, 4 and 5 all are in seventh place and must finish off strongly for any chance to edge into a final four position for season end.

– ANTHONY McCABE