Morcom and Bond crowned club champs

HEATHCOTE Bowling Club’s Men’s Pairs Championship was determined last Sunday.

Chris Morcom and Rod Bond played off against Glen Wilkie and Kelvin Hamilton with the former claiming the tile.

In Bendigo Campaspe Goldfields Bowls Region Saturday Pennant news, the Saints’ Division 3 side took on South Bendigo at home and recorded a 23-shot win, 86 to 63.

John McGillivray’s squad made an even start with scores level on seventh and 15th ends. His team went on to take the four of the last six and won by four shots, 19 to T Marsila’s 15.

Despite Bill Gardiner’s rink holding a commanding 11-shot lead by end they lost the last six to go down by a shot, 20 to D Conley’s 21.

Chris Morcom’s foursome made a good start and led by nine shots after the ninth. His team maintained the good form winning the last two ends banked a 12-shot victory, 26 to G Moore’s 14.

Maurice Lee’s side had even start and scores were level on the 10th and 12th ends. Lee’s team lost only two more changes and took a nine-shot win, 21 to C Adams’ 13.

With two rounds of regular season play left the Saints sit in sixth on the table 32 points off the fourth and a spot in the finals.

Round 13 sees Heathcote host second placed Strathfieldsaye at home before taking on top of the table North Bendigo on the road in the final match of the season.

In Division 7 Pennant play Heathcote travelled to Kangaroo Flat.

Needing to win to get onto the top four the Saints lost by 28 shots, 44 to 72.

Lorraine Speirs’ rink dropped the first five ends but fought back to level the scores on the 9th. Ends and shots were then shared but Speirs’ team won the last frame to win by two shots, 17 to A Boadle’s 15.

Barry Cail’s squad started slowly, losing the first three ends and then trailed by 14 shots after 10. His team won only three more changes to lose by 23 shots, 11 to C Maddern’s 34.

Richard Edwards team had an even start with only a shot the difference after 10 frames. Edwards’ team led by five at the 18th end but lost the last three for a seven-shot loss, 16 to E Caine’s 23.

The penultimate match for the Division 7 side looks to be a corker, with fifth placed Heathcote traveling to take on fourth placed North Bendigo and only a single point separates the pair on the ladder.

If the Saints can get a win this Saturday, the 14th and final round presents an opportunity to consolidate a potential finals berth with Heathcote hosting seventh placed Bendigo East.

In Midweek Pennant action on Monday, Heathcote’s Division 2 side travelled to play top side Castlemaine and in a close contest went down by 12 shots, 51 to 63.

Lorraine Speirs’s side won the first two ends but then struggled to trial seven shots by at the ninth. Her team won the next six frames and went to win two shots, 19 to S McCoombe’s 17.

Dot Cutajar’s rink made an even start with scores level on both the eighth and 10th ends. Cutajar’s team then struggled winning only four more changes and lost by 12 shots, 13 to M Fletcher’s 25.

Eileen O’Brien started slowly to trail by nine shots on the 10th end. Her team then lifted to level the scores on the 20th frame but lost the last to record a two-shot defeat.

In the final round of Bendigo Campaspe Goldfields Bowls Region Midweek Pennant sees Heathcote welcome Harcourt.

While the Saints are out of finals contention the match represents a chance for Harcourt make the post season if other results fall their way.

Meanwhile, last week’s social bowls on Wednesday, 1 February saw 16 bowlers play three games of pairs.

Soon to be crowned men’s pairs club champ Rod Bond, along with and Cheryl Flower had 44 points and went up 16 shots in three wins.

Runners up were Lorraine Speirs and Hal Dihm on two wins, 31 points, and +13 shots from Dot Cutajar and Duncan McGann with two wins, 31 points, and a up six shots.