More than 100 bowlers took to the Timor Street greens for the annual Leishman-Stafford Cup, an event honouring Warrnambool Bowling Club’s John Leishman and Mount Gambier RSL Bowling Club’s Ralph Stafford. 

The cup has been held annually for the past four years, with the interstate visitors taking the win on Sunday 298 to 289. The win tied up the overall standings at two each. 

Warrnambool Bowls Club development officer Paul O’Donnell said the competition was played under a pennant format of 24 ends. 

“We had 12 rinks of four, with scores added up at the end to determine the aggregate,” he said. 

“The wind made it really tough going. The Mount Gambier guys seemed to handle it a lot better. 

“We had about 40 bowlers over from Mount Gambier and 54 or so from Warrnambool.” 

O’Donnell said the biggest result for Warrnambool came from Laurie McLean’s rink. 

“They won the rink by 13 shots,” he said. 

“The final result was pretty close. We only lost by nine shots, so it was a good result considering the conditions.” 

He said Sunday’s event was a perfect lead-in to the Western District Bowls Division Saturday pennant competition which gets under way this weekend. 

The club’s division one gold side will be out to defend its season 2013-14 title when it takes on Dennington Red at its Timor Street base.

O’Donnell said Sunday’s event, as well as a couple of other pre-season hitouts provided a good opportunity for bowlers to “get back into the swing of things” ahead of the new pennant. 

“It’s also a good opportunity for the selectors to cast their eye over everyone and have a closer look at some of the new bowlers we have,” he said. 

jwoolley@fairfaxmedia.com.au