The division one ladder-leaders extended their winning streak to seven matches with a 91-89 victory against City Oval on Saturday.

Ballarat chairman of selectors Brad Fothergill said his side was behind for most of the day, but lifted to snatch the clash.

He heaped praise on skipper Greg Brown, who carried the team over the line with a couple of late end wins, including the last when he put the jack into the ditch to secure an important shot for his club. 

He also said a four-shot final end to Mick Sloper’s rink helped claw back the margin late in the day.

“It pretty much came down to Browny’s bowls and he pretty much got us over the line,” Fothergill said.

Brown and Bret Forrest skippered the rink wins for Ballarat, while Gavin Mann and Wayne Roberts claimed the points for City Oval.

Fothergill said it was a crucial win for the team, which has a tough run to the end of the first round of home and away matches. 

Ballarat took on third-placed City Oval on Saturday and faces Ballarat East (second) and BMS (fifth) before the fixture reverses.

“To play good sides and get over them is pretty pleasing for us and gives us a bit of confidence moving forward,” Fothergill said.

In a close round of matches, Mt Xavier climbed into the top four with a one-shot victory against East, Creswick beat BMS by six shots, Buninyong defeated bottom-side Smeaton by the same margin and Daylesford toppled Learmonth, 95-79.

LADDER: BALLARAT 112 points, +167; BALLARAT EAST 90, +118; CITY OVAL 85, +104; MT XAVIER 56, -44; BMS 55, -25; Creswick 54, -26; Buninyong 54, -69; Daylesford 54, -73; Learmonth 51, -19; Smeaton 19, -133.