Ballarat Highlands vs Geelong – Whykes, Page/Webster Shield results

The annual matches between the BHBR and the Geelong Bowls Region for the Valerie Page and Elaine Webster Shields (for women) and the Whykes Shield (for men) were played at Belmont Bowling Club yesterday.

Conditions were good and the greens were in great condition, although at times the wind made bowling a little more difficult.

The match for the Valerie Page Shield was played in the morning over 15 ends and all six matches were fairly tight for the first half. Three of the rinks produced results of only 1 or 2 shots difference (a 1 shot win and a 2 shot win to Geelong and a 2 shot win to Ballarat).

The remaining 3 rinks however proved the difference, where, although there was a Geelong victory by 7 shots on one rink, the remaining two matches were won by Ballarat by 11 shots and 6 shots, producing an overall victory for the Page Shield to Ballarat by 9 shots.

In the afternoon match for the Webster Shield (again over 15 ends), games were again very close in most matches, although Geelong were able to move out to good margins in two of the games.

The end result saw Ballarat win 3 matches, (2 matches by 4 shots each, and one match by 1 shot) and 1 match ended in a draw (with Ballarat picking up 4 shots on the last end to square the game).

However, Geelong were too strong in the other 2 matches, winning by 13 shots and 7 shots, resulting in Geelong winning the Webster Shield by 11 shots.

The men played 2 matches over 15 ends for the Whykes shield.

The morning session saw 2 drawn matches, Ballarat win one match by 4 shots and Geelong win the fourth match by 4 shots and the fifth match by 2 shots.

Unfortunately, the Geelong rink was too strong in the sixth match, winning by 23 shots, giving Geelong a lead of 25 shots at the lunch break.

The afternoon session saw some close matches once again, with another 2 matches drawn and Ballarat win the third match by 1 shot.

Geelong won the remaining 3 matches by 11, 7 and 6 shots respectively.

This gave Geelong an afternoon win by 23 shots, winning the Whykes Shield by 48 shots overall.

There were some excellent bowls played over the day and in some of the games, the end shot difference did not represent the closeness of the games.

All players who represented the BHBR should be congratulated on their efforts.

We now look forward to the Provincial Championships for the men at Horsham on Sunday, 5th February.

BHBR vs GBR Shield Results

Elaine Webster Memorial Shield 2023

• BHBR 75-86 GBR – view results

Valerie Page Memorial Shield 2023

• BHBR 87-78 GBR – view results

Whykes Family Day Shield 2023

• Game 1: BHBR 71-96 GBR – view results
• Game 2: BHBR 79-104 GBR – view results
• TOTAL: BHBR 150-200 GBR

Article courtesy of BHBR Secretary, Wayne Morgan.