In a see-saw final at City Oval, Frka defeated Rob Baker from the Sebastopol Bowling Club 25-20.

After trailing 3-16, Baker clawed his way back to 14-16 with his usual short ends. A tight head for four shots on the 25th end saw Frka become the first Mt Xavier bowler to win the Champion of Champions since 1964. That’s as far back as my records go.

Frka will now represent Ballarat in the region final at Goldfields on February 14. 

The draw for the Men’s Champion of Champions pairs to be held at Ballarat Bowling Club on Sunday, January 13 are as follows.

First round at 9.15am roll-up for 9.30am start: D. Denham, C. Powell. Second round to start at 12pm: L. Hucker. J. Hofstra, R. Dickinson. K. Neil, N. Capuano. K. Topp, P. Dawson. R. Baker, R. Jones. C. Johnson, C. Musgrove. B. Mahoney, B. Moy. P. Hopkins, M. Innes.

Third round to be played after second round.

Semi-finals and finals to be played on Sunday, January 20.  All games 18 ends knock out, 2x2x2x2 format. Manager A. Callow. 

The Ballarat side for the Whykes shield to play Geelong at Webbcona on Monday, January 28, as selected: P. Lovell, T. Lange, A. Callow, R. Crawley. G. Inglis, Z. Stewart, D. Kelly, M. Walton. E. Martini, A. Dalgleish, K. McLean, J. Nunn. G. Byron, N. Campbell, N. Capuano, D. Fletcher. R. Dickerson, T. Walker, B. Wilcock, A. Cook. L. Annear, T. Hedger, B. Frka, A. Annear. Players to be at Webbcona no later than 8.45am. 

Emergency: D. Speechley, A. Emonson, P. Ashmore, P. Goldsmith, N. Clifton, M. Capuano, M. Oswin. Any players unavailable are to contact Barry Clarke on 0438 394 613. 

Ballarat Junior Bowls will have a coaching session at Webbcona Bowls Club on Sunday, January 13 from 10am to 12pm. The side for the Junior Provincial Shield, to be held at Daylesford on Wednesday, January 16, will be selected at the training session. This is a blue ribbon event for juniors, with sides from all over Victoria participating. 

Central Victoria Region bowlers, with nine Ballarat representatives, won two of their three matches in the Region Sides Championship at Horsham at the weekend, only losing to Northern Gateway region, the eventual championship winners. 

After a break, selections with fingers crossed.

Predictions: 

Division two: Sebastopol at home should put paid to BMS’ finals hopes. 

Division three: Central Wendouree’s home green advantage against Learmonth will see it off the bottom. 

Division four: Midlands Golf at home to get a break on Central Wendouree. 

Division five: Webbcona to settle the four with a win over Victoria. 

Division six: Clunes to finish home side Smeaton’s finals chances. 

Division seven: Sebastopol to maintain a top four place with a win at Waubra. 

Division eight: Clunes at home to roll Daylesford and maintain top four place. 

Division nine: City Oval to win at home against Learmonth for a chance at a top two finish. Good Bowling to everyone, 

Rod Lindsay is the BDBD secretary