The sides landed respective victories during the first round back following the mid-season break.

Ballarat's triumph against Ballarat Memorial Sports came under lights on Friday night and maintained the team's position at the summit.

FULL SATURDAY PENNANT ROUND 12 RESULTS

The hosts won two of the three rink battles, with skippers Wes Lennecke and Brad Fothergill both prevailing. Wal Whitehead was the only victorious skipper for BMS in the overall 70-57 defeat.

"The game was tight right up until the last 20 ends... It was a great, gutsy effort in the wet conditions," Ballarat's Mark Fothergill said.

The clash in Havelock Street helped raise about $500 for the national bushfire appeal and is expected to be donated to the Mallacoota Bowls Club.

Victoria scored by seven shots in its battle with Webbcona.

Despite the narrow margin, the Vics took all points from the match with three rink wins.

Ballarat is now on 117 points, five clear of Victoria in second spot on the ladder. BMS sits 17 points behind the Vics with Webbcona five further back in fourth spot.

Nipping at their heels is Sebastopol, which closed the gap on fourth to a solitary point thanks to its success at the weekend.

The Kookaburras proved too good for Mt Xavier, winning 73-66.

Glenn Sargent and Ian Warner skippered wins for the home side, while Phil McGrath helped secure some points for Mt Xavier, which has slipped to the bottom of the table.

Creswick had been last entering the new year, but started it in good fashion on Saturday.

The Wickers scored a convincing success in the battle with Central Wendouree, taking all of the points on offer in a 25-shot triumph at home.

Elsewhere, Learmonth clinched a narrow two-shot win in the showdown with Buninyong.

There were two drawn rinks during the afternoon, but skipper David Kelly's victory sealed the result for the home team.