Victoria’s premiership defence off to the ideal start

Sebastopol has kicked off its 2021-22 Ballarat Highlands Bowls Region Saturday Pennant premier season in a strong way, 23 shots the better of reigning grand finalists Ballarat.

Sebastopol claimed 15 points to one, its only downfall coming in rink one, which drew with Ballarat on 17.

Rinks two and three, skippered by Murray Gannon and Robert Baker respectively, were dominant, winning by nine and 14 shots to push Sebastopol to a big opening week win.

Victoria got its premiership defence off to the ideal start, despite some strong play from Learmonth.

The reigning premiers ended up winning 57-49 for 15 of the available 16 points, but it wasn’t all easy going.

Rink two was the main difference in the game, the Victorian side skippered by Shane Pongho able to claim a 17-12 win.

Learmonth was able to remain in the game with a tie at 20 a-piece in rink three.

In rink one, Victoria, skippered by Shaun Clark, pulled out a tight three-shot win to lock away an opening round win.

Last season’s wooden spooners, Buninyong, got its campaign off to a winning start, 15 shots the better of Webbcona.

It was able to take home 15 of the available 16 points, drawing with Webbcona in the third rink at 15 a-piece.

Linton was the only side to finish with all 16 points and shot itself to the top of the ladder after one week.

It beat Creswick 67-48, able to claim six, five and eight-shot victories in each rink in an even team display.

Mt Xavier got the better of BMS in a tight affair, 54-51.

It was a rollercoaster game, with Mt Xavier claiming the first two rinks 22-10 and 24-15.

BMS was able to claim some compensation, however, winning rink three 26-8 to take home two points for its efforts.

Ollie Nash – The Courier