Division one Highlands pennant bowls saw the top four sides chalk up victories, but speculation continues over which teams will eventually gain the double chance with three rounds remaining before the semi-finals.
It’s a real guessing game on where flag contenders will finish up come finals time.
My analysis of where sides are likely to finish up came to the conclusion that Romsey is most likely to end up on top, earning a home second semi-final.
The Redbacks have successive matches against Trentham, Diggers Rest and Broadford over the next three weekends, and should win all three – the big danger to the Redbacks could be occur at Broadford in the final round.
Kyneton leads the ladder by one point from Romsey, but faces a danger game at Broadford this Saturday, then another tough encounter against arch rival and reigning premier Kyneton Golf. A last round bye doesn’t help Kyneton either.
Golf is third, 18 points behind Kyneton at present, and face fourth-placed Kilmore, then Kyneton and Lancefield. Three wins would most likely secure the double chance.
Kilmore, looking to make history with a finals spot in its second season in Highlands, face Golf, a bye, and Gisborne in the final round.
Fifth-placed Broadford play Kyneton Golf, Lancefield and Romsey – a tough ask with this Saturday’s clash with Kyneton a possible decider.
Mathematically sixth-placed Gisborne still has a remote outside chance, with the bye, Trentham and Gisborne ahead.
Ladder positions: Kyneton 159, Romsey 158, Kyneton Golf 148, Kilmore 121, Broadford 103, Gisborne 94, Lancefield 81, Diggers Rest 55, Trentham 48.
MAXIMUM POINTS
Playing at home, Kyneton never gave Diggers Rest a look-in, winning by 29 shots on a very pleasant afternoon.
Maybe inspired by another club singles championship victory on Friday night, evergreen Mark Smoljo led the way with a 16-shot margin.
Romsey also secured maximum points, with a 39-shot win up he road at Lancefield.
Over the next fortnight or so, the Redbacks will be trying to work out the side most likely to yield the club first-ever top division premiership.
The club’s depth is apparent with teams in top spot in divisions 1 and 2, and the other side in fourth spot.
Kilmore kept Broadford at bay by seven shots in a vital encounter, and Kyneton Golf was pleased to win at Gisborne by 11 shots despite Adrian Plowman’s crew going to to Allan Higgins.
In division 2 Kyneton Golf sent out an ominous warning to other contenders by demolishing second-placed Gisborne by 44 shots.
John Trouce lived up to his name with a 27-shot margin.
Bottom side Broadford shocked fourth-placed Kilmore with a 75-44 results.
In division 3, fifth-placed Macedon kept its hopes alive with a six-shot victory over Gisborne (4), and third-placed Kilmore jolted Romsey with a 30-shot victory.
ALL THE RESULTS
Results of all Highlands pennant bowls matches on Saturday were:
Division 1: Gisborne 50 lost to Kyneton Golf 61: T. Wylie 15 lost to A. Barker 22, A. Higgins 23 d A. Plowman 19, P. Williams 12 lost to R. Wilkinson 20; Kyneton 69 d Diggers Rest 40: Ant. Mathison 21 d P. Robinson 19, M. Smoljo 27 d D. Odgers 11, N. Jamieson 21 d R. Treweek 10; Lancefield 38 lost to Romsey 77; Trentham the bye.
Current ladder: Kyneton 159, Romsey 158, Kyneton Golf 141, Kilmore 121, Broadford 121, Gisborne 94, Lancefield 81, Diggers Rest 81, Trentham 48.
Division 2: Kyneton Golf 77 d Gisborne 33: G. Williamson 26 d B. Wylie 11, J. Trounce 31 d L. Ball 6, C. Scott 20 d R. Newton 16; Romsey 77 d Woodend 64: K. Kirwin 28 d G. Symons 26, G. Marshall 20 drew with N. Bickerdyke 20, S. Mayger 29 d S. Pickles 18; Diggers Rest 55 d Kyneton 50: R. Beckett 22 d D. Fisher 19, B. Debble 13 lost to J. Wells 20, A. Icely 20 d M. Bermingham 11; Broadford 75 d Kilmore 44: B. Boulton 27 d A. Langdon 8; J. Bruce 15 lost to L. Hodgson 23, L. Barnes 33 d S. McNamara 13.
Ladder: Romsey 139, Gisborne 138, Kyneton Golf 126, Kilmore 120, Macedon 116, Diggers Rest 101, Kyneton 77, Woodend 75, Broadford 68.
Division 3: Gisborne (4) 52 lost to Macedon 58: W. Beardmore 17 drew with D. Summerfield 17, F. Roche 20 d B. Swan 18, G. Pirie 15 lost to M. Keenan 23; Kyneton 30 lost to Gisborne (3) 71: H. Schmidt 15 lost to C. Butterley 24; B. Rowe 16 lost to R. Paterson 32, W. Hartigan 19 d T. Woodlock 15; Kilmore 74 d Romsey 44: A. Jowett 78 drew with M. Gilligan 18, C. Wright 28 d C. Dean 14, D. Boyd 28 d J. Boyce 12; Woodend 79 d Trentham 40: A. Jewell30 d I. Bruton 8; G. Dryden 19 drew with G. Laurie 19, D. Priede 30 d V. Lynas 13.
Ladder: Lancefield 165, Gisborne (3)150, Kilmore 130, Romsey 110, Macedon 91, Gisborne (4) 86, Woodend 80, Kyneton 73, Trentham 59.
