Weekend teams head into festive break

IN Division three of the Bendigo Campaspe Goldfields Bowls Region Saturday Pennant, Heathcote travelled to play bottom team Bendigo expecting a win before the Christmas break, but disappointingly lost by twenty-one shots.

The final score line was Heathcote 63 to Bendigo 84.

John McGillivray’s rink won the first two ends but then struggled and was trailing by seven shots after the 11th. Despite winning the last end, McGillivray’s team went down by 10 shots, 13 to B Greenwood’s 23.

Bill Gardiner squad made a poor start and in the hole by 10 shots at the 12th end. In a mini comeback Gardiner’s team won three of the last four ends but lost by eight shots, 17 to Bennett 25.

The rink skipped by Chris Morcom had an even game with scores level on the 14th and 17th ends. Scores were again tied on the last end, but Morcom’s team dropped the final end and went down by 4 shots, 16 to C. Runnalls 20

Finally, Maurice Lee’s foursome made an even start with scores level on the sixth end. The game remained close and despite losing the final change Lee’s rink held onto to win by one shot, 17 to V Greenwood 16.

In Division 7 action, Heathcote played top team VRI at Heathcote and only went down by four shots despite winning two rinks, 56 to 60.

Tony Leahy made a slow start and by the 12th trailed by 13 shots. His team continued to struggle and lost the last two ends by 18 shot margin, 11 to 29.

Denis Kilner rink jumped to a big five shot lead after the first end, but by the 14 the margin had been pulled back and scores were level. Kilner’s team then steadied, only losing three more ends, and going on to win by 12 shots, 26 to B Hawkins 14.

Lorraine Speirs won the first three ends and led by seven shots by the 13th. Scores were level at the 15th, but Speirs’ team took thee of the last four ends to win by two shots, 19 to M McMahon 17.

Bendigo Campaspe Goldfields Bowls Region Saturday Pennant is now on summer break and will return to action on Saturday, 14 January.

Sunday, 18 December saw action in the club Women’s and Men’s Singles Championships.

The Women’s Singles Championship was won by Eileen O’Brien who defeated Chris Cail.

The Men’s Singles Champion is Kelvin Hamilton who defeated Maurice Lee in a thriller.

In social bowls action fine and warm conditions on greeted rollers on Wednesday, 14 December and 13 bowlers played three games of pairs and triples.

The winners were Greg Speirs and Graeme Vowles with three wins, 42 points, +7 shots.

Runners up were Lorraine Speirs and Richard Edwards on two wins, 35 points, +10 shots.

Social bowls will be played on Saturdays and Wednesdays until the weekend pennant resumes after Christmas.