Saints target home turf victory

HEATHCOTE will aim to capitalise on home greens when it plays Bendigo in Saturday’s Division Three clash to open the Bendigo leg of Bendigo Campaspe Goldfields pennant for 2023-24.

The Saints and Bendigo have played some great matches in recent seasons.

Long-time member at Heathcote, Greg Speirs, said the Division Three line-up would be determined to start strongly.

The Saints’ pre-season included the annual practice match on North Bendigo’s greens.

A closely fought match went Heathcote’s way, 76-71, to retain the Shield which had been specially struck by The Men’s Shed.

A highlight for the Saints against the Bulldogs was the 25-11 victory by the rink skipped by Maurice Lee against D. Franklin.

“Scores were level on the sixth, ninth and 13th ends,” Speirs said. “Maurice’s team won the last six ends to win by 14 shots.”

After winning the opening three ends, Glen Saunders and his team faced a strong fightback from the North Bendigo rink skipped by D. Taig to level scores after 13 ends.

“Glen’s team won the last two ends, but was down by four shots after the last bowl of the match.”

The Saints’ rinks skipped by Adam Luxford and Greg Speirs had closely fought matches.

“Scores for Adam’s team were level on the eighth, 10th, 12th and 17th ends,” said Speirs. “Adam’s team won the last end by a shot, but North Bendigo led 17-16.”

The Speirs-led team was level with the J. Hasty-skipped opposition on the fifth, eighth and 16th ends.

Despite losing four shots on the 17th end, Heathcote hit back to win the last by four shots.

A top contest ended in a 20-16 victory for Hasty.

This Saturday’s pennant includes Heathcote’s Division Six team playing at Inglewood.

In midweek pennant, Heathcote is at Castlemaine next Monday for the Division Two showdown.

Heathcote Bowling Club will also run the popular Tuesday Night Social Bowls across the 2023-24 season.

In Saints’ housekeeping news, registration night will be held on 7 November, practice for pennant teams is on Thursday from 4pm and memberships are due and can be paid to Denis Kilner.