BHBR season previews: Good form pre-Christmas is what Mt Xavier is seeking

READ MORE SPORT:

It was able to challenge eventual minor premiers BMS in the final round, winning two rinks.

The only downfall was a 29-9 loss in the third rink, which was the difference in the game.

Taking this good form into the start of the season is Mt Xavier's aim, its priority to get wins pre-Christmas to make life easier for it come the end of the season when the fight for finals spots tightens up.

Considering the shortened 14-week season, a fast start to the campaign is especially important.

The belief from the majority of country club presidents is that the Ballarat-based clubs will be strong again.

For a country side like Mt Xavier, a fast start puts pressure on its rivals in Ballarat and helps its hunt for a top four finish in the second-half of the season.

As the season approaches, The Courier caught up with club president Paul Forrest to chat about the season ahead, his side's expectations for the campaign and other teams to watch.

A - We've been interrupted as well, but we've been together for the last month and the green's bowling pretty well so we've got a few people over there, we've been keen.

A - It's only going to be 14 weeks again but there's no relegation or anything like that, so everyone's upbeat, everyone's keen to get on the green. Unfortunately we haven't been able to play tournaments, we've missed out on our own as well. Everyone's just keen, no one's talking about missing anything, it's just get on with it, get it done.

A - I don't think we'll change our teams, everyone will be back this season. Pretty strong team we have, as I say every year we do well after Christmas, our aim is to do well before Christmas. It's a shorter season, we have to win as many games as we can to get up to the top and stay there.

A - There's always Victoria, BMS, Sebas, they're all good. We find every team we play a challenge, we're not the best team in the league but we try our hardest.

A - Well hopefully us. I don't know about improver, I think you're going to (find it) hard to beat the BMS and Victoria and Sebas, they're going to be the ones that are the benchmark to beat through the season, much the same as last season I would say.

A - For sure. We were missing out on a few players that day and as I said we go into every game as positive as we can ... we feel better for it (that result), for sure.

A - Last year I said to the boys, 'let's win some games before Christmas and we should look good up to Christmas.' We only lost by three (shots), five and six or something like that in three games. If they had of turned around, we would've been well in contention.

Ladder position: Eighth

Record: -89 shots, 73 points

2020-21 final round result: defeated by BMS 54 (4) - 62 (12)

If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Courier, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thank you very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ballarat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.

Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.