Ballarat Bowling Club and Midlands Golf and Bowling Club fought out a draw to open their Ballarat Bowls division one 2016-17 season. Midlands got off to a strong start, winning the first rink 31 shots to 15 followed by two very close rinks which had Ballarat requiring a fightback in the dying stages. It trailed by seven shots with three ends remaining but managed to rein in the deficit to draw level at 85 apiece at the close of play.
Ballarat skipper Brad Fothergill led the revival as the fourth rink won 30-14. Fothergill said while it would of been great to pinch an extra shot late in the game, he was pleased to share the points against the quality opponent and considering the lack of green time sides’ have endured following the inclement weather, Ballarat was content with the result.
Last year we lost to them in the first game ... to get a draw out of them this year – we’re reasonably happy with that.
- Skipper Brad Fothergill
“We are (pleased), we had two or three players that were unavailable this week,” Fothergill said.
“Last year we lost to them in the first game and we went on to make the preliminary final. To get a draw out of them this year – we’re reasonably happy with that.”
Ballarat, like all clubs in the region, will be looking to get some green time following the poor weather.
