Skips boost for Highton
HIGHTON will welcome back skippers Nick Bell and Ron Imanse tomorrow in a boost for its double-chance encounter with Ocean Grove 2.
Both sides have led the way in Division 1, only conceding the overall board in four matches this season.
When they last played in Round 14, Ocean Grove at home stole the points by a single shot.
“Our preparation was not the best last week, with two skippers unavailable; luckily we were able to get the job done,” Highton chairman of selectors Owen Landry said.
Highton will look to its young stars in Bell and Jeremy Fitzgerald to lead the side, but Landry also applied some pressure to the club’s more experienced players.
“Our blend of youth in our young skippers, along with the experienced leads and seconds, can provide the platform for us to do well,” he said. “It will be a good contest.” Ocean Grove goes into the clash unchanged.
The team has surprised many this season with its consistent performances and it has the ability to match it with any side, but remains content with the underdog status.
“We have managed to get things right when it has mattered most, we have won a few close battles when we were probably not expected to win, we have the ability to dig deep in the closing stages and that’s what it will take to get over Highton 1,” skipper Rod Swan said.
If Ocean Grove can continue getting the job done, it may be the smoky to take out the premiership.
Torquay, on paper, has the side and the ability to take out the premiership and will start the match against Highton 2 as favourite.
Division 1 leading skipper Alan Sampson will be the key figure for Torquay, and Highton’s Brian Fox says holding his rink at bay is crucial to its chances of success.
“Sambo has had a great season, he does not lose too many games and when we played them at Torquay his rink won 45-18, we can’t let that happen again,” Fox said.
“Whoever matches up with his team has to keep the mar- gin tight if we are any chance.”
The sides have shared a win against the other at their own venues but it will be the team that adjusts to the Geelong Cement green the quickest that will have the early advantage.
Highton has had a remarkable season with seven teams making the finals in Saturday competition and for the second Division 1 side it would be reward for its effort to reach a preliminary final.
“We are confident, we have had a terrific season and we are looking to take that next step with a win on Saturday,” Fox said.
Torquay has everything to play for if it has its sights set on a place in Premier Division next season and while disappointed about missing a toptwo finish, captain Ash Prosser is ready for the challenge of progressing the hard way.
“We are still in the premiership race,” Prosser said.
“Yeah we missed the top two, but we are OK with that and know what we have to do this week. Tomorrow is huge, the last time we played Highton 2 they got us.”
Bookmakers would have Torquay playing a grand final against Highton 1 at short odds but there are plenty of bowls to be played before that match up can take place.
“We would love another crack at Highton 1, they have been the best team this year. We won’t get that opportunity without a strong performance and bringing our best against Highton 2 this week,” Prosser said.