The Gippsland Bowls Region Midweek Pennant competition is currently in recess until January 21.
When play resumes sides will have four weeks to lock away an all-important top three finish, which is the cut off for finals action in 2024/25.
Reigning premier Lakes Entrance looks certain to finish on top of the ladder, but the other two spots will depend on the form of the contenders in the final month of the season.
Second and third spot look likely to come down to a battle between Sale, Maffra and Stratford.
Here’s a rundown of where each team is at and what’s to come.
LAKES ENTRANCE
Currently: First
Record: Nine wins and one loss.
Form: The reigning premier have taken all before them again this season, their only blemish in round three when they were beaten 64-56 by Stratford in an away game. Have only won by less than 10 shots on two occasions, once a narrow one-shot win over Sale and the other an eight-shot win over a gallant Heyfield.
Stars: Kevin Brown, Eric Spence, Michael Bratt, Wallace Mason (eight wins), Jo Martin, Bill Rowley (seven wins), Jenny Dowie, Kevin Dowie, Mike McKay (six wins), Maurice Carroll and Margaret Brandhoj (five wins).
Run home: Howitt Park (A), Heyfield (H), Sale (A) and Maffra (H).
Prediction: Three games ahead on top of the table, they appear certain to finish on there and advance straight through to the grand final. Will go in full of confidence if can knock the current second and third ranked sides off in the final two rounds. The Sale clash is the most interesting with the first encounter decided on the final end of the day.
SALE
Currently: Second.
Record: Six wins and four losses.
Form: Began the season well with two impressive wins, before suffering four devastating losses to Heyfield, Bairnsdale, Paynesville and Lakes Entrance. After the narrow loss to Lakes, their fortunes have certainly changed, proving too good for Stratford, Howitt Park, Maffra and Heyfield. Been in outstanding form presently.
Stars: Gail McKenzie, Pamela Carter, Michael Dowd (seven wins), Neal Taylor, Raymond Kennedy, Margaret Scenery, Bruce Melrose, Dennis Young and Peter Leslie (six wins), Rod Morris, Rhonda Cook and Wally Hudson (five wins).
Run home: Bairnsdale (A), Paynesville (A), Lakes Entrance (H) and Stratford (A).
Prediction: Have played inspired bowls since being unlucky losers against Lakes Entrance in round six, should be winning the next two against sides that won’t play finals, before testing themselves against Lakes again in round 13. Face a potential interesting round 14 match up against Stratford who may need to win to force its way into the finals, but they were no match the first time around (75-31). Should finish second.
MAFFRA
Currently: Third.
Record: Six wins and four losses.
Form: Have struggled to put together consecutive wins, though can claimed two wins from the last three matches before the Christmas break. Losses to three other major finals players Lakes Entrance, Stratford and Sale are concerning.
Stars: Grant Smith, Ron Orchard, Julie Orchard (six wins) and Lawrence Cameron (five wins).
Run home: Stratford (A), Bairnsdale (H), Paynesville (H) and Lakes Entrance (A)
Prediction: Have a good draw home with winnable matches against Bairnsdale and Paynesville, could almost seal a spot if they can knock off Stratford in the first game after the break. Won’t want to need to beat Lakes Entrance in the final round to secure a spot. Likely to just sneak in.
STRATFORD
Currently: Fourth.
Record: Five wins and five losses.
Form: After a first round loss to Paynesville, strung four wins together over Bairnsdale, the all conquering Lakes Entrance, Maffra and Howitt Park. Disappointingly have dropped four of their last five with the only recent win against Paynesville in round eight.
Stars: Denis Downey, Anne Renehan (seven wins), June Richardson, Jan Morton, Kirstie White (six wins), Wayne Marsden, Ian Johns (five wins) and Michael Benson (four wins).
Run home: Maffra (H), Howitt Park (A), Heyfield (H) and Sale (H).
Prediction: Will need to beat Maffra to give themselves a chance, Howitt Park and Heyfield very winnable at their best but Sale is a huge ask in the final round. May just pull up short.
HEYFIELD
Currently: Fifth.
Record: Four wins and six losses.
Form: Have been patchy but have claimed big scalps in Sale and Stratford. Two wins in last six matches a concern and the only victory in December was against bottom side Howitt Park.
Stars: Sandra Holmes (eight wins), Rod Sherrin (seven wins), Jill Anderson, Shane Holmes (six wins), Charlie Wojcinski (five wins) and Peter Ronan (four wins).
Run home: Paynesville (H), Lakes Entrance (A), Stratford (A) and Bairnsdale (H).
Prediction: Will probably need to win all four matches to make finals and that won’t happen. Could sneak in with three wins, which is possible but would need to get on a roll. Likely to pull up short.
PAYNESVILLE
Currently: Sixth.
Record: Four wins and six losses.
Form: Have been unable to string wins together, but have beaten both Stratford and Sale when they have got it all together. Three consecutive losses heading into the break have quelled their season.
Stars: Alan Schwennesen, Glynis Bugeja, Ken Perkins (six wins) and Peter Hardy (five wins).
Run home: Heyfield (A), Sale (H), Maffra (A) and Howitt Park (A).
Prediction: Capable of picking up at least two wins on the way home, but are too far back to even threaten if they could win all their matches, which won’t happen.
BAIRNSDALE
Currently: Seventh.
Record: Four wins and six losses.
Form: After going winless in the first five rounds have been one of the big improvers in the second half of the season, winning four of their last five matches, beating Stratford and Paynesville in recent assignments.
Stars: Adam Easton (four wins).
Run home: Sale (H), Maffra (A), Howitt Park (H) and Heyfield (A).
Prediction: Won’t be playing finals but it will be interesting to watch their progress in the final month of the competition. On recent form more than capable of picking up three more wins, which would be a great result given the disastrous start.
HOWITT PARK
Currently: Eighth.
Record: Two wins and eight losses.
Form: Have struggled at time to be competitive but season highlights have certainly been the victories against Heyfield and Sale at home.
Stars: Nil.
Run home: Lakes Entrance (H), Stratford (H), Bairnsdale (A) and Paynesville (H).
Prediction: Will be keen to pick up another win or two and try and get off the bottom of ladder, which appears unlikely. Will fancy their chances against Stratford and Paynesville at home.
