WARRNAMBOOL Blue is celebrating its return to the Western District Bowls Division winners’ list after a shake-up to its rinks proved a momentum shifter.
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Skipper Ian Hatfield said Warrnambool Blue’s 100-93 win over Mortlake Blue on Saturday justified the alterations.
“It was a new-look team,” he said.
“Selectors revamped the Blue side to strengthen it up a bit and it paid dividends against Mortlake Blue, who were looking to stay in the finals race.
“We fine-tuned the side and had people in new positions and it came off.”
Warrnambool Blue trio Robbie Bell (31-19), Trevor Bolden (23-20) and Hatfield (28-24) won their rinks.
Darren Grant (30-18) was Mortlake Blue’s sole winner.
“The best-performed rink was Robbie Bell’s rink,” Hatfield said.
“He had a big win and we had a big win over George Draffen, which is a strong rink.”
Hatfield said Warrnambool Blue was determined to finish the season on a high.
The Timor Street side plays Port Fairy Red – another outfit struggling to string wins together – in the final round before the Christmas break.
“Division one is high intensity and every game is hard-fought, so any win is a good win at that level,” Hatfield said.
“The top three sides have it (their finals spots) stitched up and Timboon had a win, so it’s up to everyone else to push them out because they’re in a good position.”
Timboon Gold’s grip on fourth spot tightened with a 119-75 win over Port Fairy Red on Saturday.
Brett Mungean led his rink to a powerful 44-13 victory to set the tone for Timboon Gold.
Skipper Matt Haugh, who scored an eight-shot win, said the side was thrilled with its form.
“We are winning the ones we hoped to,” he said.
“We have a challenge next week with Warrnambool Gold – we start to hit the tougher side of the draw now.”
Haugh said a fast start gave Timboon Gold a strong base to build on against Port Fairy Red.
“All the rinks got off to a really good start,” he said.
In other round eight games, City Memorial Red flexed its muscles against Warrnambool White, producing a clean-sweep 119-64 win.
Top-placed Warrnambool Gold showed no mercy against bottom-placed Lawn Tennis Red, claiming a 116-69 triumph.
A City Memorial Gold side knocking on the top four split the rinks against a plucky Dennington Red, winning 99-77.
Finals-bound Koroit Blue recorded a 129-63 win over Terang Green.
Round nine will precede a three-week break.
Justine McCullagh-Beasy
Sports journalist with an interest in feature reporting. Email: justine.mc@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Sports journalist with an interest in feature reporting. Email: justine.mc@austcommunitymedia.com.au
