Sport
5 December, 2025
Wedderburn suffers surprise loss in North Central bowls
WEDDERBURN remains on top of the North Central Division 1 weekend pennant table despite a surprise 82-64 loss to Charlton on Saturday.
Charlton won just its second game of the season, and handed Wedderburn only its second defeat, with two of the three rinks winning.
The rink of Rob Guelfo, Alan Holt, Bob Montebello and skip Alan Jackson got home by the barest of margins over Wayne Southwell’s Charlton team.
However, the rink of Robert Tinkin, Leon Holt, Andrew Caserta and Laurie Witham (skip) was soundly beaten, 37-22 shots.
Neale Holt’s rink also lost, beaten 24-20 as Charlton claimed 10 points to Wedderburn’s two for the afternoon.
The Redbacks face another stiff challenge this Saturday when they travel to face third-placed Wycheproof.
Donald Golf, second on the ladder, then awaits in the final round before Christmas.
Wedderburn’s Division 2 side is second on the ladder after a tight win over Charlton, 78-63.
Solid wins from the rinks of skips Lance Standfield and John Grant were enough to get the club over the line against the winless visitors.
Standfield’s four won 32-19 and Grant’s won 31-19, more than balancing out the 10-shot loss by Geoff Burnside’s rink.
Wedderburn faces top side Wycheproof on Saturday, with both sides boasting 6-2 records.
BRIDGEWATER
Bridgewater’s Division 5 side hosted second-placed Castlemaine on a heavy green following overnight rain, with all rinks making a steady start. The home side held a 10-shot lead at the bell and continued to build momentum throughout the afternoon, eventually running out convincing 30-shot winners overall.
The rinks of Curtis Mangan and Alan Harrison both recorded strong 12-shot victories, while John Fagan’s rink added a 6-shot win. Glenn Mangan’s quartet fought back late to salvage a 19-all draw.
In Goldfields action, Bridgewater travelled to Avoca to play on the synthetic greens in a tight contest from start to finish. Bridgewater fell just short by 2 shots overall, despite Ian Clutton’s rink getting over the line by 2 shots.
INGLEWOOD
Inglewood’s weekend pennant sides were unable to register a win, but remain well placed to turn things around before the Christmas break, with hopes of two victories to make next Saturday night’s Christmas meal taste even better. The midweek teams also went down, but spirits are high and the club is confident improved results are not far away.
In Monday pennant, Division 4 picked up one rink against the competition leaders in a solid showing and will be hoping for fine weather when they host Calivil in their next outing. Inglewood 47 shots (2 points) were defeated by South Bendigo 61 shots (14 points). Best rink on the day was Kevin Stewart, Dionne Roberts, Pam Kelly and skip Helen Leech with a five-shot victory.
In Division 1,m South Bendigo reversed their first-round loss to Inglewood, this time running out 20-shot winners. Inglewood now faces a crucial clash with Marong next week, with both clubs battling to avoid the unwanted “wooden spoon”.
The Woodies’ weekend pennant
Division 5 continued to compete strongly but found Kangaroo Flat too strong on their home green, going down by 15 shots. Inglewood sits sixth on the ladder and remains well placed to add more wins in the coming rounds.
Final scores were Inglewood 66 shots (2 points) defeated by Kangaroo Flat 81 shots (16 points). Best rink was Bill Concol, Kevin Stewart, Pam Kelly and skip Helen Leech with a four-shot win.
Division 1’s good form over the previous three games stalled after the bye, with North Bendigo aided by two permit players from Melbourne in a 10-shot result.
Inglewood will look to bounce back at home next week against Eaglehawk and regain their momentum. Final scores were Inglewood 69 shots (2 points) defeated by North Bendigo 79 shots (16 points).
Best rink on the day was Merilyn Chamberlain, Robert Stranger, Bruce McClymont and skip Geoff Wilson, who recorded a 14-shot victory.
Read More: Wedderburn