Western District Playing Area's weekend lawn bowls pennant rinks ranked

Many believe any rink can win on its day and though one rink's success doesn't determine a match, we are starting to see some rinks finding form quicker than others.

Armed with a decent sample size, it's time to take a look at the league's top rinks.

1. Warrnambool Gold - Mark Bowles (s) 7-0 record

Bowles' rink is the sole side to remain undefeated after seven rounds.

Yes, one match was a forfeit on Terang Green's part, but the fact remains, no team has beaten it.

There's little variation in the line-up, with Ray McGillivray taking lead, and Bill Tory and Shane Dalton playing second and third respectively for five rounds.

Dalton showed his versatility to move into second for two games in Tory's absence.

2. Dunkeld - Troy Greed (s) 6-1 record

A dream start to its division one tenure has awaited top-two side Dunkeld.

Greed has an experienced rink at his disposal, with Geoff Hinchliffe, Ken Prewett and Darren Gordon all capable of playing skip.

Chemistry remains strong, Dunkeld's philosophy being to keep the same personnel playing together as much as possible.

3. Dunkeld - Angus Jackson (s) 6-1 record

Another established Dunkeld rink, Jackson is supported week-in and week-out by Ian Cook, Chris Burrell, and Stephen Field.

Jackson has played with third Field for some time, while Cook has impressed as lead after serving another rink last season.

Burrell's a new face, travelling from Geelong in what is his first season of pennant.

An early season loss to Port Fairy motivated the rink to find its focus again, culminating in wins over City Gold and Warrnambool Gold.

4. City Memorial Red - Matthew Solly (s) 6-1 record

Reigning premier City Red is taking time to get going, but still find itself a top-four side.

Many predict it will find its rhythm in 2022, but leading the way so far has been Solly's rink.

Securing satisfying wins over City Gold and Dunkeld, its sole loss, a 17-shot defeat to Warrnambool Gold's Ben Cornick was out of character.

5. City Memorial Gold - Kevin Carlin (s) 5-1-1 record

With City Memorial's top side always Red, it's interesting to see City Gold atop the ladder as it targets a maiden weekend pennant premiership.

Carlin's rink, including mainstays Raymond Hoy and Garry Davey, could easily be undefeated following a draw and single digit loss, going down by four to a highly regarded Angus Jackson-led Dunkeld rink.

6. City Memorial Gold - Vince Moloney (s) 5-1-1 record

Experienced skip Moloney counts his rink unlucky in its a one-shot loss to Dunkeld.

Like Carlin, there's been different pieces on this rink, though only through unavailability.

Colin Davey holds his spot as second, as has lead Leigh Johnson. Matt Fleming and Neville Billington dropped down from Red and filled third for Norman Garner in recent weeks.

7. Warrnambool Gold - Paul O'Donnell (s) 5-2 record

The second Warrnambool Gold rink to make the list, O'Donnell's rink is another finding its form. The rink will learn from its losses, the largest a 10-shot loss to Dunkeld's Jackson.

8. Warrnambool Gold - Ben Cornick (s) 4-3 record

All three Warrnambool Gold rinks make this list, boding well for its chances when pennant returns this month.

Another that could be undefeated after dropping games by shots of two, two and one, it's defensive play is the best in the competition, conceding an average 13 shots.

9. Koroit Blue - John Murnane (s) 4-3 record

Koroit's leading rink enjoyed double digit wins over Warrnambool Blue and Terang Green, though losses came against City Red (one shot) and Port Fairy.

10. Terang Green - Jamie Heffernan (s) 3-1-3 record

Heffernan's rink fills the final spot after keeping a level record with an ever-changing rink.

The only bowler to play every match is Heffernan, with Denis Delaney appearing four times alongside a carousal of other performers.

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