Royals fight Magpies to stay in race

BENDIGO or Bendigo East will roll into a premier division bowls grand final by winning Saturday’s clash in Bendigo Campaspe Goldfields Bowls.

The Royals and Magpies meet in the preliminary final on Golden Square’s back green.

Aiming for back-to-back premierships, Bendigo was stung by a 30-shot loss to Moama in the second semi.

Royals’ skippers Brayden Byrne and Luke Hoskin won their matches against Moama by five and four shots.

Highs for Steamers who are through to the 10 March grand final were a 30-9 win for Alex Marshall against Tim Arnold, and Kevin Anderson beat Ian Ross, 27-9.

Bendigo East marked a 14-78 to 4-76 victory against South Bendigo in the first semi on Bendigo’s greens.

James McGillivray and Darren Burgess won by 11 and 10 shots.

Paul Vlamenick was beaten by 18 shots, as Marc Smith went down by one in the Magpies’ victory.

This season’s meetings between Bendigo and Bendigo East stand at one-all.

There are 11 clubs represented across Saturday’s eight matches.

Schedule for Saturday’s preliminary finals at 1.30pm is Premier: Bendigo v Bendigo East at Golden Square, back, Div 1: Castlemaine v Kangaroo Flat at South Bendigo, Dillon. Div. 2: South Bendigo v Bendigo at Bendigo East A, Div. 3: Serpentine v South Bendigo at Bendigo, Ladies, Div. 4: Calivil v Dingee at Inglewood, Div. 5: Strathfieldsaye v North Bendigo at Bendigo, Gaol, Div. 6: Castlemaine v Golden Square at South Bendigo, Sherman, Div. 7: Strathfieldsaye Blue v South Bendigo at Bendigo East C.