Lakes Entrance suffered a disappointing round 12 loss in Gippsland Bowls Region weekend pennant, conceding top spot on the ladder after being convincingly beaten by Stratford at home.
With its finals hopes in need of a spark, sixth-ranked Stratford made the trip up the highway full of enthusiasm and optimism, taking the challenge right up to the home side and earning a deserved 61–46 victory. It marked Lakes Entrance’s second consecutive defeat.
Stratford’s standout rink was skipped by Carmel Boyd, alongside Ross Morton, Wayne Marsden and Ian Johns, who produced a dominant 27–13 win despite conceding seven shots across the final four ends. They were joined on the winners’ list by Jan Morton, Stephen Dare, Kirstie White and Robert Grant, who held on for a gritty 20–17 victory after dropping the final four ends and six shots.
The only success for Lakes Entrance came from Daniel Roberts, Daffy Rawlings, Wayne Jones and Brendan Addison, who claimed a narrow 16–14 win and continued their strong season form.
With two rounds remaining, six sides remain in contention for finals action. Sale leads the ladder on 116 points, locked in a battle for top spot with Lakes Entrance (111) and Bairnsdale (109). The fourth finals berth is still up for grabs, with Lindenow (89), Metung (86) and Stratford (79) all in the hunt.
In division one, the long-awaited local derby between ladder leaders Lakes Entrance 2 and third-placed Lakes Entrance 3 lived up to expectations, with just one shot separating the sides after 63 hard-fought ends.
In a dramatic turnaround in form, Lakes Entrance 3 claimed maximum points in a 59–59 draw, securing a finals berth in the process. Ian Morris, Adrian Culph, Tom Rowe and Sharon Hall led the way with an impressive 25–18 win, while Charles Lesiw, Frank Ryan, Stan Short and Mark Campbell provided strong support with a narrow 20–19 victory.
Lakes Entrance 2s only winning rink featured Michael Bratt, Jeffrey Wilson, Johannes Kool and Barry Roberts, who recorded a 21–14 result.
Mixed results were recorded in division two, where ladder leaders Lakes Entrance 4 went down to third-ranked Lindenow in a nail-biting 38–38 draw at home. It was Lakes Entrance 4s second consecutive setback, with its recent form becoming a concern as the home-and-away season nears its conclusion. Ryan Dobson, Christine Piatek, Bob Lucas and Toby Spink were the side’s only rink winners, claiming a 23–20 victory.
Fourth-ranked Lakes Entrance 5 kept its finals hopes alive with a strong 50–39 win over Howitt Park in Bairnsdale. Sharon Kavanagh, Michael Buttifant, Stephen Adams and Kenneth Melville starred with a dominant 35–13 performance.
In division three, Lakes Entrance suffered a heavy 66–30 home defeat to Metung, leaving its finals chances looking increasingly unlikely.
THIS WEEK
Round 13, Saturday, January 31
Premier: Bairnsdale v Lakes Entrance.
Division one east: Lakes Entrance 2 v Bairnsdale 2; Howitt Park v Lakes Entrance 3.
Division two east: Lakes Entrance 5 v Bruthen; Lakes Entrance 4 v Bairnsdale.
Division three east: Lakes Entrance v Bairnsdale 5.
