Bowls: Premiership glory for Central Wendouree

CLEAR TOP at the season’s end, Central Wendouree had a battle to secure premiership glory on the greens at Mt Xavier.

Central Wendouree survived a post-lunch scare to defeat Smeaton by 19 shots in the division one Ballarat District Bowls Division mid-week grand final.

Victory marks Central Wendouree’s fourth premiership in five years and reinforces their mid-week dominance.

In a clean sweep of rinks, skipper Jill Kenyon had the closest bout to secure an 18-16 win against Smeaton’s Helen Mizzeni yesterday.

Central Wendouree A team manager Margaret Wilkins said it was a great team effort to claim back-to-back titles.

“It’s always harder to defend your title than it is to win the first one and (Smeaton) certainly gave us a fright,” Wilkins said.

“All rinks were up in the end and it was definitely a team effort rather than individuals to get there, and that’s been our strength all year – we’re even across the board.

“We finished the season well on top and it’s always harder to be the one everyone wants to beat.”

Strong crowds packed in about the Mt Xavier rinks, with a tight division three grand final also playing out on the greens and standing room space in the shade was well-coveted.

Ms Wilkins said players were thrilled to have so many people cheering them on.

A stunning grass green played well with an official speed of 13.

Central Wendouree skipper Heather Hopkinson guided her team to a strong 24-16 win against Elizabeth Cosgrove’s Smeaton line-up.

But fellow Central Wendouree skipper Kay Geddes and her team of Libby Liston, Gwen Archibald and Sue Peters notched up the most dominant win, with a nine-shot victory against the Rhonda Armstrong-skipped Smeaton.

GRAND FINAL RESULTS

Division one: Central Wendouree A 69 d Smeaton 50

Division two: Sebastopol A d BMS 58

Division three: Daylesford 18 d Midlands 64

Division four: BMS 75 d Buninyong 60

Full results page 34