Gippsland Bowls Region (GBR) weekend pennant returns this week after the Christmas break, with teams across East Gippsland racing to secure their place in finals action over the next four weeks.
In premier league, Lakes Entrance currently leads the ladder with 107 points, ahead of Bairnsdale (94) and Sale (92), all looking set to feature in finals. Meanwhile, Lindenow (76), Metung (60) and Stratford (55) will battle for the final spot.
Division one features a top-three system, as it is the only GBR section in the east with six sides. Lakes Entrance 2 (97), Orbost (85) and Lakes Entrance 3 (83) appear certain for finals, while Bairnsdale 2 (57), Howitt Park (50) and Bairnsdale 3 (50) may have left their chances too late.
In division two, Lakes Entrance 4 (90) is guaranteed a finals spot, with Paynesville (76) also well placed. The race for the remaining positions remains open, with Lindenow (66), Lakes Entrance 5 (54), Bruthen (53), Bairnsdale 4 (50), Bairnsdale Golf (48) and Howitt Park (43) all still in contention. This week, Lakes 5 will look to create an upset against Lakes 4, needing a win to remain in the top four.
Metung (106), Paynesville (91) and Bairnsdale 5 (88) have already secured finals positions in division three. The final spot will be contested by Bairnsdale Golf (55), Bairnsdale 6 (52) and Lakes Entrance (48). Lakes will travel to Bairnsdale to play winless Howitt Park, a key opportunity to mount a late-season finals challenge.
With just weeks to go before finals, East Gippsland’s bowls clubs face a critical stretch of the season as players aim to secure spots and build momentum for the championship run.
THIS WEEK
Weekend Pennant
Round 11, Saturday, January 17
Premier: Sale v Lakes Entrance.
Division one east: Lakes Entrance 2 v Bairnsdale 3; Bairnsdale 2 v Lakes Entrance 3.
Division two east: Lakes Entrance 5 v Lakes Entrance 4.
Division three east: Howitt Park v Lakes Entrance.
Midweek Pennant
Round 12, Tuesday, January 20
Division one: Lakes Entrance bye.
Division two east: Howitt Park v Lakes Entrance 2; Lakes Entrance 3 v Bairnsdale Golf.
Division three east: Bairnsdale 5 v Lakes Entrance 4; Lakes Entrance 5 v Howitt Park.
