Ballarat RSL finish Runner-up in Edinburgh Shield at Mathoura
After about a 35 year absence Ballarat fielded a team in the RSL Duke of Edinburgh Shield.
A group of 17 bowlers, made up with members from Learmonth, Smeaton, Buninyong, Mt Gambier, along with many from Midlands RSL Bowling club travelled to Mathoura to represent the Ballarat RSL Sub Branch in the Duke of Edinburgh Shield.
The competition was played on Saturday, 13th April and Sunday, 14th April 2024, consisting of 4 rinks of 4 players, playing 12 ends per game, against representative teams from Dandenong RSL, Rochester RSL, Mathoura RSL and Swan Hill RSL.
Sunshine RSL was absent which created a bye.
2024 Ballarat RSL Team
T. Lempriere (Buninyong)
B. Rowe (Learmonth)
R. Armstrong (Smeaton)
M. Marshall (Mt Gambier)
C. Mcquade (Mt Gambier)
L. Yates (Midlands)
B. Wilson (Midlands)
D. Traynor (Midlands)
J. Croft (Midlands)
B. Croft (Midlands)
S. Croft (Midlands)
I. Duggan (Midlands)
G. Plier (Midlands)
D. McKenna (Midlands)
S. Falconer (Midlands)
P. Ryan (Midlands)
M. Templeton (Midlands)
Friday night was spent with all members getting to know each other with a meal and social gathering at the Mathoura RSL Club
DAY 1
On Saturday Ballarat RSL played its initial game against Dandenong RSL.
Ballarat held a good lead for most of the match but Dandenong mounted a strong finish to only just fall short.
Ballarat’s newly formed team performed well together first up under the leadership of Skippers: Bill Rowe, Barry Wilson, Jacob Croft and Leigh Yates.
One game one win!
Next match Ballarat came up against Rochester.
With confidence growing in each of other’s ability, Ballarat had good wins across all 4 rinks.
Two games, two wins!
Ballarat had the Bye for the 3rd game.
After Saturday’s play ended, Ballarat led the section Ladder, with reigning 2023 winners Swan Hill, also unbeaten, sitting close in 2nd position.
On Saturday night the Ballarat team gathered at The Timbercutter Restaurant, where a friendship bond was formed amongst all touring members.
DAY 2
Sunday’s first game was against Mathoura.
Saturday’s confidence shattered by the home team with a convincing well deserved win
Only the I. Duggan, S. Falconer, R. Armstrong and J. Croft rink managed a win.
This left Ballarat requiring a win against the unbeaten, experienced Swan Hill team.
It was a very well contested match with the lead changing many times throughout the game.
It was only the last end win across all of Swan Hill’s rinks that got them the points.
Swan Hill, thus, ended up winning the section with the Ballarat team coming in 2nd.
The weekend was not all just about the bowling, but the excellent camaraderie formed by the whole group, opposition and host club members, both on and off the green.
Mathoura RSL Bowling Club are to be commended with magnificently, prepared greens combined with warm sunny days.
The group represented Ballarat RSL proudly, performing above our expectations over the weekend.
We are all looking forward to 2025, where we’ll try to bring home Ballarat’s first section win since 1985.
Article courtesy of Greg Plier and photo courtesy of Barry Wilson.