The start of Saturday Pennant was greeted with perfect weather last weekend.
There were a couple of surprises in Division 1, with Warrnambool Blue knocking off last year’s finalists Terang convincingly and Port Fairy taking all four rinks at home against Timboon.
Warrnambool Gold started its title defence strongly against Mortlake without five players from last year’s pennant-winning side.
Division 2 shapes up as an even competition, with four of the five matches decided by less than seven shots.
This included a draw between Terang and Port Fairy. In Division 4, there was a forfeit from Timboon against Koroit.
Midweek Pennant starts this Tuesday.
In division news, the over-60 singles were postponed due to inclement weather. This will be concluded next week.
The division mixed pairs will continue this Sunday with the quarter finals at Warrnambool and the over 60 pairs will start at Timboon on Monday.
Lawn Tennis have played the finals of the club’s 100 Up events. In the men’s final, second-year bowler Ross Porter defeated Basil Brumley in what can only be described as an excellent display of draw bowling.
The women’s winner, in a tight game, was Dorothy Kile from last year’s winner, Cathy Finn.
Dennington had to defer their 100 Up finals until this afternoon. The B Grade singles start this Sunday.
They also have two new recruits: first-year bowler Liam Green and Bill Cooper from Palm Lake Resort, Truganina.
Ivan Clarke (Warrnambool) recently represented Victoria at Broadbeach in the Australian Transplant games, playing in the singles and pairs events.
Although not bringing home any silverware, he enjoyed the experience immensely.
Having received a new heart four years ago, I’m guessing Clarke believes he is a big winner anyway.
The division and clubs are pushing junior development.
As can be seen by a lot the state and national bowlers, the sport has become attractive to a younger age demographic, though not as much in rural areas.
The division’s board is pushing for a junior competition to be run over approximately six weeks.
Alan Becker (Koroit) has been appointed as the division’s junior development officer. Becker can be contacted through Koroit if people have ideas or can be of assistance in getting this up and running.
In Saturday Division 1 action this week, Terang will be hoping to bounce back at home against City Gold.
Dennington and Koroit should be a ripper, while Port Fairy will go into their game against Warrnambool Gold with a lot of momentum.
Fine weather has been forecasted.