Highton 2 free and clear at top of the ladder
HIGHTON 2 has established itself as the team to beat three rounds into the season following its 17-shot win over Highton 1 on Saturday.
The Highton 2 combination remains the only undefeated team 14 points clear on top of the Division 1 ladder.
The outstanding feature of the afternoon’s play came from the No. 1 rink where Belinda Koek (lead), Chris Hodges (second), Ian Anderson (third) and Neil Jones (skip) took an 18shot win. The well-oiled team kept up the pressure on Highton 1 throughout.
This rink is the No. 1 ranked rink in the competition at this stage of the season, ahead of another Highton 2 combination of Tony Doorakkers (lead), Ben Lombardi (second), Michael Hughey (third) and Ron Imanse (skip).
Highton 2 team will be further tested next week when it plays third-placed Belmont at home.
Belmont played top bowls defeating Drysdale by four shots in a high-scoring match.
The No. 1 Drysdale rink skipped by John Fry was quick out of the blocks steering its way to a 22-shot win while the No. 2 Belmont rink skipped by Andrew Walker worked its way to a 16-shot win.
The remaining two rinks were closer battles going shot for shot before the Belmont teams took the points.
Ocean Grove stormed home to record a 25-shot win over Geelong Cement to remain one point outside the four.
The teamwork from its No. 1 rink of Andrew Wright (lead), Jeff Howarth (second), Peter Jolley (third) and Alan Callow (skip) was fruitful taking the rink by 16 shots a result that was the foundation for the Grove win.
St Leonards worked hard and well to win by 14 shots over Torquay and maintain fourth position on the ladder.
The closely-fought outcome was highlighted by three rinks drawing and the No. 3 rink from St Leonards providing a matchwinning 14-shot margin. Geoff Wharton (lead), John Anderson (second), John Coe (third) and Tony Long (skip) bowled with surety.
In the battle of the cellar dwellers it was Lara that took the points over Portarlington with the Ian Polwarth Jr rink providing the winning impetus taking a match winning 12-shot win over the Charlie Sproal rink.