Lakes Entrance has continued its recent slump in the Gippsland Bowls Region weekend pennant, suffering a third straight defeat and slipping to third on
the ladder.
Bairnsdale climbed into second place after a thrilling round 13 victory, edging Lakes 54-50 at home. Peter Baylis, Stewart Pyers, Dennis O’Keefe and Neil Watts led the charge for Bairnsdale, winning their rink 19-15, including the crucial final two ends. They were well supported by Christopher Mackintosh, Adam Easton, Dennis O’Keefe and Brad Montant, who also posted a 19-15 win, though they dropped the last four ends and conceded seven shots
in the process.
Lakes Entrance salvaged a win on the remaining rink, with Bradley Lancaster, Kevin Brown, Jim Northe and Stephen Smith securing a 20-16 victory after the match was locked at 16-all.
Looking ahead, Lakes will be eager to return to the top two in this week’s final round, hosting fourth-ranked Metung, who need a win to secure a finals spot. If top-side Sale can defeat Bairnsdale and Lakes are successful, they could realistically climb back to second on the ladder.
Division one produced mixed outcomes, with ladder leaders Lakes Entrance 2 bouncing back, while third-ranked Lakes Entrance 3 was soundly defeated 76-33 by fourth-placed Howitt Park. The win gives Howitt
Park a faint finals hope, though it trails by 16 premiership points with two rounds remaining.
Lakes 2 defeated Bairnsdale 2, 61-48 at home. Mike McKay, Kevin Dowie, Ray Ricca and Harley Johnston were dominant in their 24-14 rink win, while Michael Bratt, Boyd McPhee, Jeffrey Wilson and Barry Roberts also won 22-19. Wayne Denning, Kevin Watson, Jack Light and Wallace Mason halved their rink 15-all.
In division two, both Lakes Entrance teams maintained top four positions with wins. Lakes Entrance 4 returned to the winners’ list after two losses, holding onto top spot with a hard-fought 44-41 home victory over Bairnsdale. Ryan Dobson, Christine Piatek, Bob Lucas and Toby Spink were pivotal, winning their rink 21-16.
Lakes Entrance 5 also secured a home victory 43-37, with two well-contested rinks providing the margin. Winners included Sharon Kavanagh, Michael Buttifant, Stephen Adams and Kenneth Melville (21-17), and Ernie Smith, Margaret Simpson, Jeanette Rowley and Geoff Webb (22-20). Barring a major upset, the result should see them into the last four.
Division three offered little cheer for Lakes Entrance, with their team outclassed at home by Bairnsdale 5, going down 60-33.
With just one round remaining, Lakes Entrance faces crucial matches across divisions to secure finals positions and end their recent slump on a high note.
THIS WEEK
Round 14, February 7
Premier: Lakes Entrance
v Metung.
Division one east: Howitt Park v Lakes Entrance 2; Orbost v Lakes Entrance 3.
Division two east: Paynesville v Lakes Entrance 5; Howitt Park v Lakes Entrance 4.
Division three east: Bairnsdale 6 v Lakes Entrance.
