WITH just a month to go in the season, things are getting tight at the top for all bowls divisions in the Highlands competition.
In division one, Lancefield took a big step towards potentially avoiding the wooden spoon with a comprehensive victory over Woodend to move within four points off the bottom.
Jeff Holmes’ 37-5 win over Stephen Pickles did the trick, while Aaron Andrews’ 30-15 win over Geoff Symons helped matters. Woodend took two points back with Norman Bickerdyke’s 30-15 win over Andrew Brandolin, but the damage was well and truly done.
Romsey maintain a hold on second with a strong 85-31 win over Diggers Rest.
It was a clean sweep for Romsey, with Damien Ely scoring a 32-8 win over Kylie Stafford, Aaron Young saluting with a 21-12 win over Phil Robinson and Cameron Austin scoring a 32-11 win over Rod Treweek.
Kilmore put in a decent effort against Kyneton, but it wasn’t enough as the ladder-leaders won 70-46.
Lance Whitnall continued his good form with a 20-14 win over Gregory Podesta, but it was all Kyneton on the other rinks as David James Thomas defeated Daniel Carroll 32-15 and Anthony Mathison defeated Matthew McMaster 24-11.
Broadford’s game against Trentham was left incomplete due to the heat rule being enforced.
This was also the case for the much-anticipated local rivalry clash in division two between Broadford and Kilmore, which was not completed due to heat.
Romsey fell just short of defeating Macedon, losing 58-63, and fell out of the top four as a result.
Gary Gilligan scored a 21-15 win over Gary Dickenson, but it was Macedon’s day with Ian Guymer defeating Lloyd Dyamond 27-20 and Ian Matthews too good for John Beaumont, 21-17.
In division three, Lancefield and Kilmore’s game was heated out due to the weather.
Romsey continued its dominant run, scoring a 65-36 win over Gisborne.
John Fryer scored a 19-11 win over Sean Lawless, while David Culpan won 23-15 over Chris Butterley. Mick Gilligan completed the sweep with a 23-10 win over John Hunter.
Meantime, in the Tuesday pennant, Kilmore gave Kyneton a run for its money.
The final result went Kyneton’s way, 61-51, also taking all three rinks in the process.
Conrad Dawson defeated Stephen McNamara 21-16, while Jerry Richmond was just too good for John Coates, 19-17. Anthony Mathison finished the job off with a 21-18 win over Mark Hodgson.
Despite winning two of the rinks, Romsey fell to Gisborne, 59-55.
Simon Mayger took points for Romsey with a 16-15 win over Tim Rogers, while Nick Williamson scored a 23-18 win over Russell Walker. But it was Alan Higgins’ 26-16 win over Greg Taylor which proved to be the difference.
In division two, Broadford’s only game of the week saw it beat Trentham 59-34.
Rodney Campbell defeated Rodney Justice 19-15, while Barbara Goddard won a low-scoring game over Robert Dobinson 15-11. Allan Cowen finished the job with a 25-8 win over Max Hinneberg.
Romsey continued its unlucky run in the Tuesday competition, losing to Macedon 57-63.
Guymer was too strong on his rink for Hazel Rose, and the 34-14 win was enough to see off Romsey’s challenge, despite Culpan winning 20-18 over Steven Graham and Gilligan defeating Barry Swan 23-11.
Kilmore struggled mightily against Woodend, losing 37-101.
Mike Dornau was too good for Kevin Tootell, winning 37-14, while Geoff Symons was even more dominant, taking a 48-4 win over Leighton Bloomfield. Joan Grindlay ensured Kilmore wouldn’t go home empty-handed with a 19-16 win over Bickerdyke.
Lancefield was far too good for Gisborne in division three, winning 69-15.
Frederick Shipcott took a 33-5 win over Florence Roche, while Trevor Young scored a 36-10 win over James Leach.