‘Bring it on’: Belmont ready for St Leonards challenge

PORTARLINGTON will be ruing last week’s lost opportunity at Geelong Cement as potentially the “one that got away”.

The one-shot loss will haunt the side, unless it can bounce back and produce the goods this week at home against Lara 2.

“We led Cement for 96 ends of the contest. We had one team 28-0 in front, which was a significant margin throughout the day,” fellow Portarlington skipper Charlie Sproal said.

“That team skipped by Barry Hirth won 41-17 and we still couldn’t get the result.

“For us it’s about lack of practice and a few players missing from last year that will be our biggest challenge. If you don’t get bowls in the head, you may as well stay at home.”

The match of the round will be on the grass at Belmont.

Belmont skipper Steve Davies said his side was well balanced and ready for the challenge against St Leonards.

“We expected to win last week and didn’t, so we are looking forward to getting back on our green and having a win against a quality opponent in St Leonards,” Davies said.

“We are a balanced and focused team, so bring it on.”

St Leonards, meanwhile, has produced back-to-back wins since its Round 1 loss.

St Leonards skipper Barry Culph still believes his side must become more consistent across all rinks to be a legitimate contender.

“We are looking forward to a match on great grass greens,” Culph said.

“Tony Long’s team have won all three games so far and Bill Maloney’s team has been in great form.

“If the other two rinks can be a bit more consistent, we are positive that we can consolidate our ladder position.”

Leopold welcomes back skippers Tony Kelly and Mick Willis for their journey to City of Geelong — and bowls co-ordinator Paul Williamson is confident.

“We are travelling pretty well,” Williamson said.

“Two skippers out last week and we still got the job done, so we are confident we can get the points against City of Geelong.”

Highton 2 should enter the top four with a win against Queenscliff at home, while the undefeated Bell Post Hill is at home to Geelong Cement.

Cement stole the points at home in the finish against Portarlington last week and will need to bring its best to knock over Division 1’s benchmark side.