Gippsland Bowls Region midweek pennant resumes next week, with wins crucial in
all divisions as the finals are only four
weeks away.
In division one, reigning premiers Lakes Entrance and Bairnsdale appear assured of finals action, with the remaining two spots likely to be contested between Sale, Maffra, Stratford and Metung.
Sixth-placed Metung could be out of the race as early as next week if it cannot overcome third-placed Sale at home. The top sides, Lakes Entrance and Bairnsdale, will clash in what promises to be a grand final preview at the Lakes Entrance Bowling Club.
In division two east, Lakes Entrance 2 and Paynesville — who both suffered only a solitary loss prior to the Christmas break — are already assured of finals action. Bairnsdale 2, Bairnsdale 3, Orbost and Lakes Entrance 3 remain realistic contenders for the remaining finals spots.
In division two north, the top four appears relatively settled, with Yarram, Heyfield, Maffra and Sale 2 looking likely to feature. Current fifth-placed Sale 3s hopes of joining the action hinge on a surprise win against top side Yarram next Tuesday.
Division three east looks set to feature Lakes Entrance 4, Paynesville 2 and Bairnsdale 4 in the finals, with the remaining spot to be decided between Paynesville 3, Bairnsdale Golf and Bairnsdale 5.
The closest competition is certainly in Division Three North, where Heyfield, Sale 5, Maffra 4, Yarram, Maffra 3 and Sale 4
all remain very much in contention for
finals spots.
NEXT WEEK
Round 11, Tuesday, January 13
Division one: Stratford v Lindenow;
Lakes Entrance v Bairnsdale; Metung v Sale; Maffra bye.
Division two east: Lakes Entrance 2 v Bairnsdale 2; Orbost v Lakes Entrance 3; Bairnsdale Golf v Howitt Park; Bairnsdale 3 v Paynesville.
Division two north: Yarram v Sale 3;
Sale 2 v Stratford; West Sale v Maffra;
Heyfield bye.
Division three east: Howitt Park v Bairnsdale 5; Bairnsdale 4 v Paynesville 3; Bairnsdale Golf v Lakes Entrance 5: Lakes Entrance 4 v Paynesville 2.
Division three north: Heyfield v Maffra
4; Yarram v Maffra 3; Stratford v Sale 5;
Sale 4 bye.
