BHBR captures 2024 Whykes Shield and Page Shield at Highton

The BHBR Men’s and Ladies’ teams competed in the Whykes Family Shield and the Val Page and Elaine Webster Shields on Sunday, 10th November 2024 at Highton Bowls Club in Geelong.

On wonderful greens and in reasonable but cool weather, the BHBR had a very successful day.

Thank you very much to Highton BC for their facilities, catering and hospitality.

BHBR Whykes Shield – Men

The Men’s team played for the Whykes Shield over two games of 15 ends with 6 rinks in play.

During the first round of matches, Ballarat Highlands started well but unfortunately faded over the second held of the matches and Geelong moved out to a strong lead of 19 shots, winning 4 of the 6 rinks.

Game 1: BHBR 69-88 GBR

R1: K. Silbereisen, J. Clark, G. Mattei, W. Hodgetts – 6-21
R2: R. Brown, P. Kennedy, B. Morris, C. McDonald – 10-18
R3: G. Plier, T. Hedger, B. Vandenberg, H. Varcoe – 10-16
R4: B. Johnson, G. Gascoyne, M. Oswin, A. Annear – 20-7
R5: H. Drinnan, P. Robinson, K. Chapman, D. Berry – 7-19
R6: D. Andrews, T. Beacham, C. Thornton, Z. Stewart – 16-7

View Whykes Shield 2024 Game 1 results here.

After the lunch break Ballarat Highlands again got away to a good lead and this time was able to hold their momentum through the 15 ends.

The overall lead was cut back to 10 shots, and then in the space of around 3-4 ends, hit the lead by 2 shots with around 5 ends to go on all rinks.

The match came down to a nailbiter with the scores being level with 1 end to play on the final rink.

The Ballarat Highlands rink was able to draw 4 good shots and with the Geelong rink unable to get closer, the overall result was a great win to Ballarat Highlands by those 4 shots with 4 rinks up.

Game 2: BHBR 98-75 GBR

R1: K. Silbereisen, J. Clark, G. Mattei, W. Hodgetts – 11-20
R2: R. Brown, P. Kennedy, B. Morris, C. McDonald – 18-11
R3: G. Plier, T. Hedger, B. Vandenberg, H. Varcoe – 20-17
R4: B. Johnson, G. Gascoyne, M. Oswin, A. Annear – 17-10
R5: H. Drinnan, P. Robinson, K. Chapman, D. Berry – 9-12
R6: D. Andrews, T. Beacham, C. Thornton, Z. Stewart – 23-5

View Whykes Shield 2024 Game 2 results here.

WINNER – Ballarat Highlands Bowls Region 167-163

This is the first time in 9 years that Ballarat has won the Whykes Family Shield, so congratulations to all who played.

The best rink award for Ballarat Highlands men went to Dave Andrews (BMS), Tim Beacham (Sebastopol), Chris Thornton (Ballarat) and Zac Stewart (Ballarat).

BHBR Page / Webster Shields – Ladies

In the Ladies’ events, the first game of 15 ends was played for the Elaine Webster Shield and Ballarat Highlands got away to a great start and at one stage was up by around 20 shots.

However Geelong lifted and gradually chipped away at the deficit before picking up some big results which saw them move ahead to run out winners by 14 shots, winning 4 of the 6 rinks.

Elaine Webster Memorial Shield 2024

BHBR 83-97 GBR

R1: E. Bennett, A. Madeley, H. Hopkinson, A. Draffen – 20-8
R2: K. Murphy, D. Leeson, H. Stenning, L. McArthur – 15-9
R3: H. Cyrulo, L. Lock, D. Gorin, M. Tait – 13-22
R4: C. Hawken, S. McCracken, D. Annear, D. Stanaway – 13-19
R5: D. Price, T. Wylie, J. Cameron, E. Kierce – 11-18
R6: J. Wells, J. Holton-Storey, A. Newman, S. Braybrook – 11-21

WINNER – Geelong Bowls Region

View Webster Shield 2024 results here.

Congratulations to Geelong on retaining the Webster Shield.

Valerie Page Memorial Shield 2024

In the afternoon games for the Val Page Shield, the game was reasonably tight for most of the matches with neither Ballarat Highlands or Geelong being able to establish a substantial lead.

In the end it came down to some consistent bowling which saw Ballarat Highlands win by 8 shots and retain the Val Page Shield, winning 4 of the 6 rinks in the afternoon session.

BHBR 90-82 GBR

R1: E. Bennett, A. Madeley, H. Hopkinson, A. Draffen – 14-11
R2: K. Murphy, D. Leeson, H. Stenning, L. McArthur – 19-17
R3: H. Cyrulo, L. Lock, D. Gorin, M. Tait – 21-18
R4: C. Hawken, S. McCracken, D. Annear, D. Stanaway – 7-13
R5: D. Price, T. Wylie, J. Cameron, E. Kierce – 12-13
R6: J. Wells, J. Holton-Storey, A. Newman, S. Braybrook – 17-10

WINNER – Ballarat Highlands Bowls Region

View Page Shield 2024 results here.

Congratulations to all team members.

The best rink award for Ballarat Highlands ladies went to Elise Bennett (Creswick), Anne Madeley (City Oval), Heather Hopkinson (Central Wendouree / Ballarat) and Anne Draffen (Ballan).

BHBR 2024 Page / Webster team

2024 BHBR & GBR at Highton Bowls Club

Lloyd Sims (BHBR Chairman), Wayne Morgan (BHBR Men’s Manager), Michael Kelly (GBR Chairman), Lyn Bryce (BHBR Ladies’ Manager), Alan Callow (Geelong Men’s Manager), Kate Robinson (GBR Ladies’ Manager).

Article and photos courtesy of Wayne Morgan (BHBR).