Clubs play for shield

HEATHCOTE welcomed Serpentine to town last weekend for Bendigo Campaspe Goldfields Bowls Region Saturday Pennant Division 3 action, and the Heathcote-Serpentine Challenge trophy.

In warm conditions the home team recorded a 25 shot to win, 89 to 64.

John McGillivray’s squad made a good start and led by 10 shots after eight ends. His team then struggled winning only five more changes and eventually went down by three, 19 to N Tonkins’ 22.

Chris Morcom’s rink lost four shots on the first end but fought back to lead by 13 by the 12th. The foursome won the last four to record a 17-shot win, 28 to R Gladman’s 11.

Bill Gardiner’s team started well and lead by 16 shots after 12 ends. Despite losing the last two Heathcote went onto win by 13 shots, 23 to L Cadlow’s 10.

Maurice Lee’s rink made a slow start and trailed by seven shots by the eighth end. The team fought back to level the scores on the 14th change but lost the last two to lose by two, 19 to shots D Ansett’s 21.

Heathcote now sit sixth on the ladder, 34 points adrift of fourth place and finals action with four rounds to play in the regular season.

Next week Heathcote is on the road to Bendigo East who sit in fifth place, and just five points ahead.

In Division 7 action Heathcote travelled to South Bendigo.

The visitors needed a win to stay hold onto the four on the table, but went down by only two shots, 50 to 52.

Lorraine Speirs’ rink lost the first three ends and trailed by six shots after nine. Her team then fought back losing only two more changes and going onto record a six-shot victory, 18 to D Campbell’s 12.

Barry Cail side started slowly and was down by six shots after 12 ends. Cail’s team also lost only two more ends and went onto win by a shot after scoring two in the last frame, 16 to T Bullow’s 15.

Richard Edwards’ squad lost the first four ends and trailed by a now familiar six-shot margin by the 11. However, unlike Speirs’ and Cail’s rinks, Edwards’ foursome was not able to turn the deficit around, losing four shots on the last end to go down by nine, 16 to W Yates’ 23.

The lost dropped Heathcote to fifth on the table, one point of North Bendigo fourth with four rounds in the season left to play.

Next Saturday Heathcote welcomes third place Golden Square to Heathcote.

Midweek Division 2 Pennant play saw Heathcote travel to Bendigo.

The good guys needed a win to avoid possible relegation, and they got it, with Heathcote holding onto a two-shot victory in a close game, 63 to 61.

Dot Cutajar’s rink started well, taking five of the first six ends and lead by 10 shots at the 12th. Cutajar’s team lost only one end more to record a 23-shot win. 33 to S Lord’s 10.

Eileen O’Brien squad made an even start with only three shots the difference after 12 ends. Despite losing the last three O’Brien’s team held onto win by four shots, 19 to L Trahair’s 15.

Lorraine Speirs side had an even start with scores level after seven ends. Her team then struggled and lost five shots on the last end to go down by 25 shots. 11 to H Champion’s 36.

Heathcote sit in seventh on the ladder and welcome fourth placed Woodbury to town next Monday.

Social Bowls on Wednesday, 18 January 15 bowlers played three games of pairs and triples in cool conditions.

The winners were Dot Cutajar, Ralph Scott and Richard Edwards with three wins, 45 points and +14 shots.

Runners up were Lorraine Speirs and Cheryl Flower on two wins, 31 points and even shots).

The jackpot was won by Eileen O’Brien, Rod Hanson and Dinah Finn.