General News
9 January, 2020
Bowlers set for pennant double
LEN Searle is hopeful his side can make a positive return to Corangamite Bowls Division pennant this weekend despite two tough fixtures.
LEN Searle is hopeful his side can make a positive return to Corangamite Bowls Division pennant this weekend despite two tough fixtures.
The Thornton Street-based club resumes its season with a home double header, hosting top side Simpson on Saturday and cross-town rivals Camperdown Golf on Sunday.
The club enter both clashes in fourth position, although the division’s results may have potential ramifications for the side.
Two losses could put them back among the chasing pack, while split results will keep them in the mix for a finals berth.
Helping their cause is matches between Colac Central (fifth) and Colac (sixth) this weekend, while next week Colac City (seventh) plays Central, Apollo Bay (third) runs into Simpson and Colac tackles Cobden (second).
Searle, one of Camperdown’s four skippers, said his side would “like to win both games” but knows they will have their work cut out for them.
“Simpson will be a tough ask, we beat them earlier this year and before that we only beat them by a shot or two the last time we played here (at Camperdown) so that will be a very close game,” he said.
“And with Golf, we’d like to think we can win that but they did beat us by 20 shots or so (10) in round two so we’ll be wary of both sides that’s for sure.”
Camperdown worked hard in the rounds prior to the mid-season break, winning three of their last four to return to the top four following a shaky start.
Searle said his side was desperate to avoid a repeat of their start to the year, wanting to cement their position in the top half of the ladder.
“We’d like to stay in there or at least maintain close contact,” he said.
“I think it’s only a point between third, fourth, fifth and sixth, so it’ll be game to game (our focus) and we just have to keep winning to stay there.
“But as I said, Simpson won’t be easy, they’re a good side and against Golf, we always match up well against each other regardless of where both sides are on the ladder.”
Searle considers the Tigers to be one of the division’s best teams this season and is keen to see how his side performs against them in their return match.
Camperdown won their first encounter by 21 shots but knows tomorrow’s clash will be a much-closer affair.
“I think they’ve only lost the one game, we got them on the first game, but they’re on top of the ladder so I rate them really highly,” he said.
“You never know what will happen now that everyone has played a full round, it’ll be an interesting game and we’re looking forward to it.”
As for Golf, Searle said his side knew they would be in for a battle as is tradition against their arch rival.
He said the club was eager to atone for their loss earlier in the season and wanted to be more consistent across the green.
“We had a couple of rinks go down badly that day but credit to Golf, they played well,” Searle said.
“You can’t afford to have a couple of rinks go down by 10 to 12 shots but we’ll be more competitive this time.
“Don’t get me wrong, Golf bowled really well last time but hopefully we can reverse the result this time around.”