Buninyong's Terry McDonald.
LEARMONTH dethrones ladder leader City Oval, Mt Xavier knocks off old rival East Point and the only side yet to win a match is last season’s premier.
The closeness of the Ballarat District Bowls Division’s division one competition has been underscored again with a series of results on Saturday that show that anyone can beat anyone on a given day.
Based on ladder position after two rounds, Learmonth’s 91-72 victory at home over the Hawks was a significant upset, however, Learmonth skipper Gordon Powell says his side had reason to be confident.
“We generally size up against them,” Powell says. “I reckon we might have beaten them more times over recent years than they have beaten us, or it’s pretty close. It’s like football really, some teams you match up well against.
“We could have been four rinks up. My rink fell at the finish after leading all day.”
Powell lost 20-18 to Heath Fumberger. Elsewhere, Learmonth had the edge. David Pike came from a few shots down to defeat John Peddlesden and co 23-19, Bill Shillito’s team won 25-15 against Wayne Roberts, and Mick Casey’s team go the better of Gavin Mann’s 25-18.”
Mt Xavier is back in business after defeating Ballarat East 110-87 at Ballarat East.
The X-men scored in three of four rinks to leap-frog the double blues on the ladder.
John Maher’s team won 30-24, Beau Adams’ 28-22, Aaron Emonson 31-17. Peter Wilson’s four claimed a consolation two points with a 24-21 win over Michael Storey.
“It’s always been the case that the games you win before Christmas make all the difference in deciding the four at the finish,” Mt Xavier leader Brian McKeegan says.
“It was fairly even at the break, there was one or two shots in it. It was pretty tight all the way through.
“We seemed to be able to get run of six or seven ends where we never lost the mat. That makes a difference.
“I don’t see anyone showing domination at this stage of the season. Normally, with the teams as even as they are, I don’t think we will have any good indication where everyone is at until we get more consistent weather.”
Buninyong brought Smeaton back to earth with a 115-63 victory at Buninyong, while Ballarat Memorial Sports bounced back with a 110-71 win at home against Victoria.
Ballarat ensured Webbcona remained winless with a 114-77 triumph at home.
LADDER: BMS two wins, 38 points; CITY OVAL two wins, 34; BALLARAT two wins, 32; Mt XAVIER two wins, 32; Buninyong one win, 27; Ballarat East one win, 27, Learmonth one win, 27; Victoria one win, 21; Smeaton one win, 13; Webbcona zero wins, 13.
