WEBBCONA’s Brett Collins and Ben and Barry McArthur have survived a nail-biting finish to win the 2011-12 Ballarat District Bowls Division men’s triples championship.
While the trio coasted through the semi-finals with wins over Sebastopol and BMS, they had a harder time against Avenue’s Paul O’Farrell, Darren Fletcher and Stephen Sullivan in the final.
The eventual victors were trailing by one shot with one end to play after leading halfway through the match and managed to step up when it mattered.
Collins and McArthur were able to make crucial shots while three of Avenue’s first four bowls dropped in the ditch, handing Webbcona a 15-14 victory.
Juniors compete
BALLARAT District’s best young bowlers are competing in the Junior Provisional competition’s Flapper Shield today.
Daylesford Bowling Club is hosting the event and Bayside, Mentone, Kilmore, Mornington, Melbourne North, Geelong and Bendigo are the visiting sides.
Pairs finals approach
THE men’s Champion of Champions pairs finals will be played at Ballarat East on Sunday.
D. Eastman, M. Ryan, G. Brown and W. Lennecke will compete in the semi-finals at 10am with the finals to be held in the afternoon.
Ballarat’s Whykes Shield side is :
T. Lange, P. Lovell, A. Callow, R. Crawley; I. Perovic, B. Wilcock, C. McDonald, S. Sullivan; B. Inglis, Z. Stewart, L. Annear, M. Storey; E. Martini, A. Dagleish, K. McLean, J. Nunn; G. Byron, D. Fletcher, M. Capuano, G. Powell; T. O’Farrell, C. Wright, H. Fumberger, G. Mann. Emergencies: D. Sault, S. Wereszczuk, R. Rimmington, J. Peddlesden, R. Callahan.
The event is being held at Leopold Sportsman’s Club on January 26 and a bus will be leaving Sebastopol Bowling Club at 7.15am.
If any player is unavailable please contact Barry Clark on 0438 394 613.
Predictions
Only three winners means I should have waited until a bit more form was on the board after the break.
Division two: Central Wendouree at home to Smeaton will decide who stays in finals contention – Smeaton for me.
Division three: Creswick will make the most of its last chance to challenge for a top two position at home against Victoria.
Division four: Avenue needs a home win against top side Midlands to have a chance for a final and a top-two spot.
Division five: Avenue gets the chance to sneak into the four if it can win at Mt Xavier.
Division six: Visitors Midlands will end Sebastopol’s finals hopes.
Division seven: Sebastopol will keep its finals hopes alive with a home win over Mt Xavier.
Division eight: Ballarat North will retain top spot with a home win over second side Daylesford.
Division nine: This is the closest division with all sides potential finalists. Beaufort at home should account for second side Buninyong and move up the ladder.
THERE were a few surprises in Monday pennant and pressure is mounting on teams trying to grab spots in the top four with only three rounds to go until finals.
Keep an eye out in next week’s bowls column for the latest novelty fours results.
The Courier fours match committee has extended the competition entry date to 4pm on Friday, January 20. Please give your entries to Nora Thornhill.
Pairs winners
JANUARY 12 BDBD/BV pairs division winners: D Robinson, T Hearn (Daylesford). Runners-up J Adams, M McKenna (MT Xavier).
The Daylesford duo now goes on to Lancefield to compete at regional level on February 12.
Players for Shield
THE following players have been chosen to represent Ballarat district in the February 23 Shield match in Bendigo and need to register at 9.30am: D. Connell, E. Treloar, B. Huntley, A. Gull, B. Wynd, A. Kneebone.
The following players have been selected but have a bye in the first round and need to register at noon: J. Harman, J Vincent, J. Best, W. Wereclczuk, J. Vance, B Ayers, L Vanderlinden, L Maple, J Nimmo, R Shaw. Could clubs please vote on your choice regarding the Monday-Tuesday 2012-13 season change so it can be discussed at the BDBD delegates’ meeting on February 1.
Predictions
Division 1: Avenue too strong against Learmonth.
Division 2: Mt Xavier has the depth to take out this game against Midlands
Division 3: This will be a close game, but Clunes will get over the line against Webbcona.
Division 4: Sebastopol has a lot to lose if it doesn’t win against Linton.
Division 5: No doubt Smeaton will win against Victoria.
Division 6: Ballarat North against Daylesford, hard one to pick but I’ll go for Ballarat North.
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