The Gippsland Bowls Region Weekend Superleague pennant competition will resume on January 18, with just two rounds remaining.
Reigning premier Bairnsdale is ensured a top of the table finish, with a group of eight teams still in the running to fill the last four finals spots.
The stakes will be high and all rinks vital as clubs try to bank as many points to secure that all important berth.
Here’s a rundown of where each team is at and what’s to come.
BAIRNSDALE
Currently: First
Record: Nine wins, one loss and a draw.
Form: The reigning champion has set itself up for a tilt at back to back glory with a near faultless session thus far, the only blemish being the round four defeat to Stratford. Have been challenged by Maffra and Lakes Entrance 2 in the final two matches but keep finding a way to win.
Stars: Adam Easton, Brad Montant, Geoff Woodward (eight wins), Brian Casey, Peter Rowe, Stephen Sroczynski (six wins) and Trevor Melotte (five wins).
Run home: Sale 2 (H) and Metung (A).
Prediction: Well clear on top of the table and are assured of top of the ladder finish and a day off in the first round of the finals. Metung will present an interesting challenge in the final round with a finals position likely to hinge on the result for Metung. The side to beat and a big chance at back to back glory.
LINDENOW
Currently: Second.
Record: Seven wins, three losses and a draw.
Form: Having a great season with just the three losses to Paynesville, Bairnsdale and surprisingly Heyfield in round nine. Have bounced back with hard-fought victories against Howitt Park and Maffra.
Stars: Lloyd Hammond, Donald Banks, Peter Baylis, Michael Giddings (six wins), David Tong (five wins) and Stephen Brill (four wins).
Run home: Lakes Entrance 2 (H) and Sale 2 (A).
Prediction: Have set the season up well and will probably only need the one win to ensure finals action, which they will get in the final round against Sale 2. If they are to be worthy contender for the title they will need to beat Lakes Entrance 2 in round 12 when playing hostilities resume. Genuine improver over the past few seasons, now in a position to challenge.
LAKES ENTRANCE 1
Currently: Third.
Record: Six wins, three losses and a draw.
Form: Impressed early when unbeaten after first four rounds, before pushing Bairnsdale in round five. Disappointing against Lindenow and West Sale, but have looked good in recent victories over Paynesville and Heyfield. Joanne Martin has been a wonderful replacement for Brad Lancaster.
Stars: Bill Rowley, Daniel Roberts, Kevin Brown (seven wins) and Stephen Smith (four wins).
Run home: Orbost (H) and Howitt Park (A).
Prediction: Have a favourable draw in the final two matches to maintain a hold on third spot or even push up for second. Face an interesting proposition in Orbost next round, which sees ex-player Brad Lancaster up against his old premiership teammates. The fixture is a possible danger match. Will play finals.
SALE 1
Currently: Fourth.
Record: Six wins, two losses and two draws.
Form: Have only suffered two losses and they were to the top two sides, Bairnsdale and Lindenow. Have a game up their sleeve which could prove pivotal.
Stars: Wally Hudson (five wins) and Neal Taylor (four wins).
Run home: Howitt Park (A), Paynesville (H) and Orbost (A).
Prediction: Should account for Howitt Park easily and which should put it in a favourable spot for a finals spot, but will be keen to beat both Paynesville and Orbost to go into the finals in a rich vein of form. If can put three wins together, could finish as high as second. A contender.
PAYNESVILLE
Currently: Fifth.
Record: Six wins, four losses and a draw.
Form: Last year’s runner-up certainly hasn’t looked as impressive this campaign, but did put together three solid wins in a row mid-season against Heyfield, Howitt Park and Maffra. Have beaten Lindenow and Metung.
Stars: Jack Sharman, Rhonda Sadovsky, Michael Better (six wins), Glynis Bugeja (five wins) and Darren Aurisch (four wins).
Run home: Sale 1 (A) and Stratford (H).
Prediction: A tough finale and possibly could maintain their hold on fifth spot with just one win. In the mix for fifth spot but will need to come ready to play, especially in the final round against Stratford when the stakes will be high.
METUNG
Currently: Sixth.
Record: Five wins, four losses and two draws.
Form: Impressive early winning five of their first seven matches. Didn’t post a victory in December, though did draw with Orbost and go down by a shot at home to Sale 1.
Stars: Chris Wain, Ron McDonald, Mal Macpherson and Ray Crossley (seven wins).
Run home: Stratford (A) and Bairnsdale (H).
Prediction: Tough way to finish with Bairnsdale in the final round, when two wins will probably be needed to sneak into finals action. Look likely to just miss out.
LAKES ENTRANCE 2
Currently: Seventh.
Record: Five wins, five losses and a draw.
Form: Looked world beaters early winning first three matches, rekindled morale with a great win at home in round seven against Paynesville. Disappointing losses in December to contenders, Sale 1 and Bairnsdale, as well as Stratford, which could prove a costly loss.
Stars: Glenn Barker, Boyd McPhee (six wins) and Jeff Wilson (five wins).
Run home: Lindenow (A) and West Sale (H).
Prediction: Will probably need two wins to sneak into top five, with Lindenow at home a tough ask, likely to fall just short.
MAFFRA
Currently: Eighth.
Record: Five wins, five losses and a draw.
Form: Have scored five wins from six matches at home, which has kept them in the running for a finals place. Were competitive in round 10 against Bairnsdale, but disappointing at home in the final game before the break when no match for Lindenow.
Stars: Glenn Crawford, Lewis Marston (seven wins), Lyal Roberts, John Marshall, Ron Orchard, Geoff Landy, Brett Hodgkins (six wins), Michael Roberts and Lester Merlo (five wins).
Run home: West Sale (A) and Heyfield (H).
Prediction: Have a favourable draw to make a last ditch effort to play finals, but will need to win away from home for the first time this campaign against West Sale to keep the dream alive. Genuine rough hope for finals action.
WEST SALE
Currently: Ninth.
Record: Six wins, four losses and a draw.
Form: A mixed season for a side many saw as a possible contender pre-season. Have missed the services of Wayne Morris who has spent the season at Essendon. Their wins have been impressive but have suffered some disappointing defeats where have struggled to pick up rinks. Finished December in a blaze of glory with three impressive wins over Howitt Park, Heyfield and Lakes Entrance 1.
Stars: Denis O’Keefe, Matthew Moulton, Brendan Addison (six wins), Nick Wilson (five wins) and Paul Swarski (four wins).
Run home: Maffra (H) and Lakes Entrance 2 (A).
Prediction: Finishing the season strongly and living up to the promise many thought might see them a serious contender with the addition of Brendan Addison over the off season. If keeps strong vein of form going could easily make it five in a row, and ruin the finals hopes of Maffra and Lakes Entrance 2. Sadly to far back for finals action.
STRATFORD
Currently: Tenth.
Record: Four wins, five losses and a draw.
Form: Two wins from the first seven rounds – a disastrous start for a side with plenty of heavy artillery in their line up. Recent wins against Lakes Entrance 2 and Sale 2 have restored morale and some hope.
Stars: Leonie Flynn (six wins), Philip Crowder and Colin Russell (five wins).
Run home: Heyfield (A), Metung (H) and Paynesville (A).
Prediction: With the extra game up their sleeve, could still make the finals and live up to their potential if they could string together three wins in a row, which they haven’t been able to do thus far this season. Outside finals chance.
ORBOST
Currently: 11th.
Record: Three wins, six losses and two draws.
Form: A tough season for new recruit Brad Lancaster, with the wins well spaced, but good for morale. Wins against Paynesville, West Sale and Howitt Park.
Stars: Robyn Kellow (four wins).
Run home: Lakes Entrance 1 (A) and Sale 1 (H).
Prediction: Will be keen for another victory but might find the going tough.
HEYFIELD
Currently: 12th.
Record: Three wins, six losses and a draw.
Form: Have struggled for consistency and certainly haven’t played up to the season highlight victory over Lindenow in round nine, 84-35. Also defeated Orbost and Sale 2. Rohan Kelly has returned to the greens this season after illness which has been great for the club.
Stars: Mal Collings (five wins).
Run home: Stratford (H), Howitt Park (H) and Maffra (A).
Prediction: Will be keen to claim at least one more victory, which should be against Howitt Park, capable on their day of claiming maximum points against Stratford and Maffra, though both those teams will have much more to play for.
SALE 2
Currently: 13th.
Record: Nine losses and two draws.
Form: Winless with the season highlight being the 56-56 draw with Howitt Park. Were very competitive in matches against Sale 1 (60-56) and Stratford (58-57), prior to the break.
Stars: Nil.
Run home: Bairnsdale (A) and Lindenow (H).
Prediction: Horror a finish to the season, will find a victory hard to find.
HOWITT PARK
Currently: 14th.
Record: Eight losses and two draws.
Form: Winless, with the season highlight being the 56-56 draw with Sale 2. Have struggled to be competitive.
Stars: Nil.
Run home: Sale 1 (H), Heyfield (A) and Lakes Entrance (H).
Prediction: Will be keen to get on the board in their final three matches, but likely to find the going tough.