BARBARA Bibby is quickly becoming City Memorial Bowls Club’s good luck charm.
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The City Gold skipper has been at the club for just five seasons, but already has five Western District Bowls Division pennant titles to her name.
“I started off in the third division, went to second division and had two seasons there, and I’ve had two seasons in the top division,” she said.
“I suppose I’ve been very fortunate. They’ve had some pretty handy bowlers over the years, when I look through the honour board.”
City Gold hopes Bibby’s good fortune continues as it attempts to qualify for another Tuesday pennant finals series.
The campaign is only five weeks old but so far the signs are promising — City Gold is equal top with Warrnambool Gold, but second on shot difference.
It takes on Port Fairy at its Cramer Street home today wanting to improve its healthy record.
“The way we’ve been playing I would have to say we’d fancy ourselves,” Bibby said.
“But every day is different. You can never get too cocky.”
Bibby, 60, lived on a Mininera farm for most her life and took up bowls in 1997, with Ararat-based club Chalambar.
She played in a pennant flag with her mother Betty Meek in 2001, a highlight of her 15-year career.
“It was exciting for her, too. She had been playing bowls for a long time, had a lot of good times.”
Two more flags followed when she crossed to Lake Bolac before she and her husband John retired to Warrnambool.
Friends led her to City Memorial and she has enjoyed summers on the green and regular pennant success since.
“It’s a great sport, it’s a challenge. Every day is a different day on the bowling green,” she said.
“It depends on how the green rolls, it depends on the weather, wind, no wind. It can bring you back to reality.
“I had my excitement last year, winning the club championship and I got put out on the first day this year.
“We would all be in the Australian team if we could be champions each day.”
In other Tuesday pennant matches today, Timboon takes on City Memorial Green at Timboon. Warrnambool Gold hosts Terang at its Timor Street home and City Memorial Pink faces a tough ask against Warrnambool Blue.
