2020 Victorian Junior Provincial Championships Wrap
On Wednesday 15th of January, Victorian Junior Development Squads gathered at Daylesford Bowls Club for the 14th running of the annual Victorian Junior Provincial Championships.
Teams and players came from the Eastern Eagles, Bendigo Dragons, Geelong Giants, Central Highland Rangers, Campaspe Cannons, Goulburn Valley Devils, Northern Flyers and the Ballarat Gold Diggers. Sectional play commenced and a high standard of bowls was on display. The Ballarat Gold Diggers and Northern Flyers came away as Sectional winners.
Whilst the sectional winners gathered on the bottom green, the remaining squads observed from within the clubhouse whilst having afternoon tea.
Skips drew their cards/rinks and Northern Flyers won the toss for the mat.
The temperature had dropped a few degrees and very fine rain had begun to fall.
With lightning seen in the far distance, managers, umpire Mike Tate and Gerry Flapper discussed the weather and course of action. As the rain was gradually getting heavier, it was decided that the bell would be sounded for completion of the current end and a stop in play – an instant later, lightning flashed and all players were told to abandon play. Heavy rain came soon after and there was surface water over the majority of the green.
With no hope of restarting play and being past the scheduled finishing time, the match committee ruled that the result would be decided upon the ends having been played.
With 15 ends played, 5 by each rink, Ballarat Gold Diggers were declared the winners by a margin of 1 shot (11 to 10).
Ballarat District Bowls Chairman, Marilyn Blake, presented the ‘Flapper Shield’ to Ballarat’s outgoing player William Matthews who accepted on behalf of the squad.
A big Thank you to Daylesford Bowls Club for their ongoing generosity in hosting this event as well as Stephen Sullivan and Gerry Flapper.
