Premier: Stephen Britt concentrates on his shot in the match between Sebastopol and Victoria. Picture: Justin Whitelock
VICTORIA can shift its focus to the minor premiership in Ballarat Geelong premier division bowls after safely locking in the double chance with a 93-77 victory over third placed Sebastopol.
The top of the table Vics scored in three rinks on the Sebastopol grass, claiming 16 of the 18 available points to shunt the Kookaburras out of top two contention and keep Ocean Grove in second.
“We probably led by 10 or 15 shots all game and held that. We had a good start, made a lead and then maintained the lead the whole game,” Victoria skipper Barry Clark said.
“We can’t drop out of top two now and that was an important factor in the game. Now finishing top is in our own hands. If we can beat Webbcona at home and then Geelong West then we will cement that position and have a home final.
“Having said that, if we were to win 14-4 and Ocean Grove wins 18-zip then it all changes.”
Skipper Wes Lennecke had a day out for the visitors, while Clark also singled a couple of the leaders for praise.
“Lindsay Annear led really well for Jarrod Burt as well, as did Tony Lange for me as well. He’ll play there for the rest of the year I’d reckon,” Clark said.
Lennecke’s team defeated Rob Baker’s 25-14, with Barry Clark (22-16 over Andrew Myers) and Jarrod Burt (26-20 against Ian Warner) also scoring for the victors. Scott Roberts scored two points for the Kookaburras (27-20 against Sean Clark) which may yet prove crucial for a home final. Webbcona suffered a nasty hit to its own finals chances, swept at home by Highton.
The Geelong region club outplayed the Ballarat division contender to win 119-75 on the Webbcona grass. Graeme Wright’s Highton team edged out Tony Wood 24-23, but Zane Lugg (29-18), Peter Hardy (32-17) and Adam Lee (34-17) all won comfortably.
The news was far better for Avenue, which is just five points away from booking its place in premier division next season.
The Bacchus Marsh club triumphed in a close encounter on its own synthetic green, 100-92 against Lara. For Avenue, Glenn Sargent’s four continued its good form with a 31-21 win against Samantha Shannahan’s team, and Darren Fletcher got up 28-26 against Jim Derham. Lara skips Leigh Butcher (24-23) and Damian Cotter (21-18) won close matches.
Geelong West displaced Bareena in the top four with a 91-89 victory at home, and Ocean Grove proved too strong for Central Wendouree, defeating the Bears 135-66 at Grove.
PREMIER DIVISION LADDER: VICTORIA 13 wins, 222 points; OCEAN GROVE 13 wins, 218; SEBASTOPOL 10 wins, 170; GEELONG WEST 10 wins, 156; Bareena eight wins, 152; Webbcona eight wins, 144; Highton six wins, 113; Avenue four wins, 99; Lara four wins, 98; Central Wendouree three wins, 68.