LAWN bowls is a family affair for mother and son team Sheridan and Jimmy Barling.
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Sheridan, 50, who is entering her 14th season in the Western District Bowls Division, was the main influence behind Jimmy, 28, entering the sport.
But now the pair, who both play in Dennington’s division one pennant side, are starting to form a formidable team on the tournament circuit, having finished 19th out of 356 teams at the Victorian Open last year.
Sheridan, who was first introduced to the sport by friends after spending two years on the sidelines as a spectator, said it was the relationship that she holds with her son that enables them to work together well.
“We have a pretty close relationship,” she said.
“Jimmy is the eldest and firstborn and we are very close.”
For Jimmy, who crossed over to bowls after his cricket career ended due to a back injury, it was about understanding each other when ever they step foot on the bowling green.
“She doesn’t tell me what to do,” he said.
“We are on the same page and she knows my gameplan and what works.”
The next goal for the pair is to reach the pinnacle of the WDBD and taste division pennant success with Dennington Red.
“Coming from where we have been finishing lower on the ladder we have pushed it this year but we can still mathematically make it,” Jimmy said of Red’s chances of making finals.
“We are getting better every year and hopefully we keep on progressing.”
Red, who defeated Timboon Gold by 19 shots at home on Saturday, currently sits in fifth position on seven wins and nine losses with two matches remaining before finals.
Dennington’s final two games are against eighth-placed Terang Green and sixth-placed Warrnambool Blue.
For Red to make finals they need fourth-placed Port Fairy Red, who face first-placed Koroit Blue and last-placed Mortlake, to lose both of its final two games of the season to secure the last spot in the playoffs.
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Sean Hardeman
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
