ROD LINDSAY
A SHORTAGE of bowlers around the division has seen several clubs having difficulty filling their weekend sides.
Of the 23 clubs in the BDBD, 19 have had a decline in membership from last season.
Four have experienced an increase, most notably Linton, which has bucked the trend with a 40 per cent increase in membership. The others have had a minor improvement by comparison.
The division received the membership numbers from all clubs this week. We are now planning to arrest this decline.
Just over 210 bowlers have registered this year that were not members last year. That is a shortfall of about 150 on last year. There is still time, however, this season with another 50 potentially coming on board.
Like most sports there is fewer new players coming in, which is a concern.
Bowlers can play as a substitute for another club for two games. Those interested in helping another club should discuss the matter with their own club in the first instance.
• The Ballarat District Past Presidents Group will be celebrate its 25th anniversary at the City Oval Bowling Club on Tuesday. All past presidents of bowls clubs are invited to attend at 6pm for a free evening of mixed twilight bowls. For further information contact John Cuthbert on 5309 1749.
• The team of Mick Cunningham, Andrew Panther, Jess Thomas and Jarrad Burt (skipper) from Victoria Bowling Club is the winner of the BDBD mens fours championship after defeating Webbcona’s Frank Clark, Rob Rimmington, Nathan Mahoney and Brett Mahoney on Sunday. Burt and co will now compete in the region final to be held at Central Highlands on February 10.
• The BDBD side for The Courier Shield to be held at Maryborough Highland Society on November 4 is: Adam Rimmington, Wayne Pattie, Brett Mahoney, Jarrad Burt: Tanner Dickson-Arthur, Glenn Sargent, Ben McArthur, Andrew Myers: Brian Boyle, Tony Wood, Brad Oates, Ash McArthur: Glen Baudinette, Phil Clamp, Ian Warner (c), Simon Cornock. Emergencies Noel Verlinden, Aaron Wood, Steve Sullivan. Bus departs Webbcona BC at 7.45am.
• The draw for the BDBD mens triples is not yet available. It should be announced before the end of the week.
•Six wins and two losses is a better rate than last week.
• Big winners were Invermay by 53 in division six, Bareena by 62 in the premier division, Webbcona by 69 in division eight, and top dogs Buninyong by 71 in division seven. Close matches were not that common, with Victoria winning by four in division six, Beaufort Golf by two in division nine, and Geelong West and Ocean Grove in the premiers, and Ballarat North and Smeaton in division five playing a tie.
• Waubra should break its duck at home against City Oval in division two.
• Webbcona at home will be too good for Victoria in division three.
• Buninyong to win at home and overtake BMS in division four.
• Division five visitors Webbcona will outlast Victoria.
• Beaufort at home in division six will get on the winners list against Learmonth.
• Ballarat to cause an upset with a win over Central Wendouree in division seven.
•BMS at home to tip Webbcona out of the four in division eight.
• Home side Central Wendouree to make a break against Ballarat East in division nine.
*Rod Lindsay is the BDBD secretary.
