Ballarat Memorial Sports have landed two handy recruits in an attempt to climb the Ballarat District Bowls Division Saturday Premier Pennant ladder.
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The club attained former Buninyong skipper Mick Storey for the 2020-21 campaign. He will be joined by fellow newcomer Kieth Urch, who last played for Sebastopol.
BMS team manager Graeme Inglis said the additions were a fantastic result.
"They certainly bring a lot of knowledge with them and have been premier division bowlers for quite some time," he said.
"Having them come in will only improve the situation and will filter down through the divisions."
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Inglis said Urch had been practicing at the club for some time before making it official, while Storey opted for a change of scenery to be closer to home.
Both will likely feature in the top side, but will have to earn their spot like everybody else.
"We've had a policy in the past where if we pick up members from other clubs they have to earn their places," Inglis said.
"Mick Storey is a premier division skipper but he might not start in that position. We would give our young blokes a chance to earn their right in that spot."
Meanwhile the club will be without Wallace Mason, who moved to Lakes Entrance after last season. There is also a question mark over whether Wal Whitehead will retire.
Inglis, who played in division one for BMS last year, said the premier side was disappointed with the way it finished the 2019-20 season. He said the club jumped in and out of the top four but was unable cement a place come finals.
"We were in the four at one stage but just fell away at the finish," Inglis said.
"Once the pressure gets on at that level it's hard to turn it around. We fell out of the four last year so we are hoping to get back into it."
This season's calendar has been shortened to 14 rounds due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Inglis said it wold make for an interesting fixture as clubs would not get to play every team twice.
The season will begin on November 17.