Ballarat Division 2 takes decisive direction on the weekend

The competition in Saturday’s Ballarat Division 2 competition took a decisive direction on the weekend with the top four teams consolidating their position for the season, a clear game ahead of Ballarat North, Clunes and Webbcona.

Webbcona playing at home were confident that their home ground advantage might secure them a win, giving them an opportunity to challenge for a finals berth if they finished strongly in the final games to be played in the New Year.

Unfortunately, the win by Clunes securing victory in three rinks aided by a very strong performance by Geoff Annear’s rink saw Clunes take out the game by 40 shots with Tom Clarke’s rink being the only Webbcona rink winning for the day.

“We went into the game with some confidence, but the Clunes team bowled well all day,” Webbcona’s Tom Clarke said.

“Geoff’s rink played particularly well throughout the afternoon whilst a couple of our rinks were competitive for the most part, but Clunes finished off strongly to take out the game with us only securing the one rink up.”

With the Clunes win and Ballarat North having a comfortable win at home over Buninyong resulted in Webbcona slipping from 5th to 7th position on the ladder.

Ballarat North and Clunes now occupy 5th & 6th positions respectively.

Victoria managed a good win at home against ladder leaders Ballarat East, reducing East’s lead in the competition to only one shot over Midlands who had a successful afternoon away at City Oval’s expense.

Webbcona’s Tom Clarke attributed player unavailability a contributing factor to his club’s weekend results.

“Our top side is going well in Division 1 and currently third just a few points behind Sebastopol in second,” Tom said.

“Unfortunately a shortage of available bowlers to play on Saturday has affected our Division 4, 6 and 8 teams this season.”

“On Saturday we had about 20 bowlers unavailable and consequently our Division 8 side had to forfeit their match that was to be played at Linton“.

“On the good side things are going well around the Club and we all had a great Christmas function back in the clubhouse after bowls on Saturday.”

“A few weeks ago we held a successful activity function raising about $6,500 for the Club and there is good interest for our upcoming (FW Barnes) Classic Pairs tournament to be played on Monday 8th & Tuesday 9th January 2024.”

All Classic Pairs enquiries can be made via Tom Clarke on 0448 533 926.

Division 2 Weekend Photos

Clunes Jenny Cameron bowling at Webbcona on Saturday.

Webbcona skipper Tom Clarke prepares to bowl.

Webbcona’s Jacinda Wells in action against Clunes.

Featured photo: Clunes Slade Baulch bowling against Webbcona.

Article and photos courtesy of Anthony McCabe.