Surely Kyneton Golf is destined to defend its division one Highlands bowls premiership this season.
On Saturday, Golf won by ONE SHOT for the second time in three matches.
This time it was on the tricky Broadford green, where some highly rated sides have trouble.
Two of Golf’s three fours were beaten, and the remarkable 21-5 margin by the quartet of Brendan Plowman, Steve Taylor, Wayne Turner and Toby Barker came at the right time.
Trailing by two shots at home to Kilmore, Lancefield produced a very strong second half to win by 26 shots; Jeff Holmes and Dave Safstrom had good margins and this was the Tigers’ best effort for the season.
Ladder-leader Kyneton won by nine shots at Trentham, with Tim Cook securing a big scalp by downing Kyneton’s Anthony Mathison by eight.
In the remaining match, second-placed Romsey secured a clean sweep against fifth-placed Gisborne, with Matt Brundell having 20 shots to spare.
Current ladder after 12 rounds: Kyneton 127, Romsey 119, Kyneton Golf 113, Kilmore 98, Gisborne 92, Broadford 85, Lancefield 65, Trentham 44, Diggers Rest 25.
In second division, Gisborne moved into fourth place by toppling third-placed Romsey by 36 shots.
Ladder: Kyneton Golf 108, Kilmore 102, Romsey 95, Gisborne 90, Macedon 88, Diggers Rest 87, Kyneton 72, Woodend 58, Broadford 52.
Second-placed Gisborne (3) had a massive 71-shot victory over Woodend in division 3.
Ladder: Lancefield 146, Gisborne (3) 106, Kilmore 104, Romsey 93, Gisborne (4) 69, Kyneton 67, Macedon 60, Trentham 56, Woodend 51.
NEW CHAMPION
Lancefield Bowling Club has a new name on its championship board of honour, with Peter White defeating the much-improved Dan Hollywood in a close final on Sunday.
In the women’s final, Ann Shipcott made it two in a row by accounting for Greta James.
White, rated one of the best leaders in Highlands, began his bowls at the age of 27 with the strong Sunbury club in 1986.
He later spent five years with Gisborne Bowling Club, winning the club championship and Central Highlands Champion of Champions.
White moved to live in Lancefield three years ago and has been a fine addition to the club; he works at Glen Erin Winery.
Sunday’s final was close for some considerable time, before White opened up a lead of six shots; Hollywood fought back to lock scores at 22-22, before White won the final two ends.
Hollywood had a big victory when he eliminated the highly rated Jeff Holmes 25-21, and in the morning semi-final he accounted for Peter Shannon 25-14.
White won his semi-final against Steve Climas 25-6.
In the women’s final, Shipcott prevailed 25-7 against first-time finalist Greta James.
