Up and down on the mountain

MT Xavier’s Ballarat District Bowls Division Premiers said were unable to capitalise on a home ground advantage in their contest against Learmonth on Saturday.

Strong performances by the visiting rinks of Brendan Pym and Billy Rowe secured the Lakers a strong 29-shot victory.

Mt Xavier’s Chris McDonald rink had a comfortable 11-shot win, which reenforced their strong performance this season, having won five matches from their seven outings and marking them as the outstanding performers for the Club, while Philip McGrath’s rink has provided a level performance with three wins, three losses and a draw.

Heavy rains on Friday evening slowed the pace of the green and Learmonth were quick to adjust to the conditions.

The Lakers Mick Casey said, “Craig Findlay had a standout performance on the day” and mastered the slow green with consistent draw bowling that played a big part in Billy Rowe’s strong win on their rink.

Learmonth’s victory places them in sixth position on the top flight table, challenging for a spot in the final four as the competition rounds the half-way mark on a revised 14-week season.

McDonald said that “despite this week’s loss the side has been competitive for the year and a in number of games we’ve only lost by a narrow margin while at the same time introducing a few newer bowlers into Premier competition.”

He also said that the club is in a positive position overall, considering its Division 4 and 7 sides.

They both sit in second position of the respective competitions with each of those teams have acquitted themselves well in Saturday Pennant.

Meanwhile, Mt Xavier’s Division 2 side travelled to Linton where the squad was challenged by the gusty winds, ultimately going down by 15 shots.

John Duggan’s rink managed a seven-shot win, but the overall loss cost the side top spot on the ladder, with Linton moving into first with an equal six wins and a loss but a five-point advantage over Mt Xavier.

In the sevens, Mt Xavier hopped across to Sebastopol, where they had a comfortable 88 to 71 shot victory with the rinks of Darren Beattie and Ray Giles successful and both the Christine Squire and Debbie Hunter rinks scoring draws.

The Mt Xavier Division 7 side shares an equal five wins, one loss and one washout ratio with Ballarat Memorial Sports although the BMS side holds the advantage with 89 to 86 points.

-BY ANTHONY MCCABE