Heat forces bowlers into early break

THE extreme heat forced all but one game of midweek pennant bowls to be abandoned yesterday.

Interestingly the only game that was completed was in Division 8 where Bell Post Hill (14-66) took the game over Drysdale (0-33) down at Drysdale.

However, under GBR rules, because the majority of games were called off, Drysdale and Bell Post Hill split the results seven points apiece.

Entering the Christmas break, Queenscliff sits on top of the ladder in Division 1 with 10 wins, one loss and one draw from its 12 matches and a total of 159 points.

Statistically, this equates to about 15 points per win — a strong and consistent average with the shot difference also being the best in the competition with 921 for and 633 against for +288. Its only blemish for the season to date was against Highton in Round 6 when Queenscliff lost all rinks in a 79-61 result.

It sets up a ripping return match in Round 16 on February 6 on the Rip View green at the Cliff.

With a 34-point lead over second placed City of Geelong, Queenscliff has established a standard that could see it finish with a near record number of home and away points of around 250.

In the leading skips/rinks arena, Leopold’s Nicole Shortis and her merry band hold a clear lead of three points with 21 from 10 wins and a draw, ahead of Matt Flapper (Ocean Grove).

It shapes as a good headto-head meeting if they face off in Round 18 clash on February 20 on the green surface at Ocean Grove.

In Division 2, St Leonards holds a similar position to Queenscliff in the higher grade, with 156 points from nine wins, one loss and two draws from Geelong in second place with 124 points.

The picture is mirrored in the leading skips ladder where the top three skippers in the competition are all from St Leonards.

Alf Vella (16 points), Tony Long (16) and Dean McNeill (14) dominate the competition.

Round 13 will resume on January 16, with the rematch of Round 4 throughout all divisions.