Central Victoria Region President Ian Bishop rolls the first jack
WITHSTANDING tough weather conditions, three of the five division one games proceeded on Saturday, with City Oval having a comfortable win against Ballarat of 101 to 67 at Ballarat Bowls Club on Saturday.
Although City Oval didn’t see many changes to their division one side this season, they have definitely stepped it up a notch winning all four rinks against Ballarat.
City Oval president and skipper Wayne Roberts said it was a great achievement for the club.
“Last year, we didn’t have one game where we picked up the full 18 points,” Roberts said.
“It was really rewarding to win all four rinks against such a tough opposition, and it’s set us up really well for the season. We went in with a settled side and we performed really well.”
The two sides were neck and neck on the ladder last year, with Ballarat finishing third and City Oval finishing fourth.
It was only in the second half of the game that City Oval broke away to claim the lead.
“It was all pretty even up until afternoon tea - we were up in three rinks and down in one, but overall we were only four or five shots ahead,” Roberts said.
“We came out the other side and just performed really well.
“The green was a bit slower in the early stages of the game, but it quickened up a bit after the break and we were able to perform better.
“Gavin Mann’s rink had a strong win. His team did really well - he just had to play defensive bowls. Heath Fumberger and John Peddlesden’s rinks were on top throughout.
Roberts has only just moved into the skipper position for City Oval after playing as a third.
“We were down until the 20th end, and we were able to pick up some really good shots up in the last ends to come out with a win.”
Avenue senior vice president Mark Fothergill said it wasn’t a good feeling for the club to lose in all four rinks.
“Especially because at the break we were only about a few shots down, and from there were just seemed to deteriorate,” Fothergill said.
“This puts us behind the eight ball a bit, but we were the same last year. We often seem to have a slow start to the season, and then really pick up towards Christmas time ... That being said - it was the first game of the season.”
Although the scoreboard didn’t reflect good results for Ballarat, they’re happy with some of the changes made within their side.
“Wayne Fitzgerald has only just changed to a skipper. And his rink was really close up until the 21st end where they fell away. It was a good decision to move him into the skippers role,” Fothergill said.
“The game was played in good spirit.”
