By Tara Murray
Bacchus Marsh Bowling Club is considering a merger with cross town club The Avenue.
Club president Phil Minniti said discussions with The Avenue, also based in Bacchus Marsh, were still in the early stages.
“It may happen, it may not,” he said.
“We’re being honest and telling people we’re talking about it, but no firm decisions or timelines have been set.”
The Avenue currently plays in the Ballarat District Bowls Division.
The discussions come as Bacchus Marsh looks to shore up a finals spot in Central Highlands Bowls top division.
Bacchus Marsh is in second with three rounds remaining, and five sides fighting for four spots.
With matches against three of the other top-five sides to round out the regular season, Bacchus Marsh has the toughest run home.
Minniti said it was good for the competition to be so close.
“There’s been some very close games and some great results,” he said.
“Everything hinges on one or two results and whether you finish first or fifth.
“You would prefer to have close games, as it makes for better results.”
Minniti said finishing top two and getting the double chance was vital this season.
He said it was one season where the team that finished fourth could quite easily claim the title.
On Saturday, Bacchus Marsh held on to second place with a big win against Romsey.
Bacchus Marsh claimed three rinks, winning 109 (16)-78 (2). Simon Cornock, Lee Greening and Glenn Arthur were the winning skips for Bacchus Marsh.
Minniti said he thought the side had under-performed to this stage of the season.
“We’re great mates and we’ve got some great talent this season,” he said. “[But] It’s taken a little longer to gel than we would have liked.
“Teams are now starting to be selected in the right order and we’re starting to hit our straps.”
Minniti said all three sides are in the finals mix.
He said numbers across the board were excellent and they often had too many players some weeks to fill spots.
In other results, Gisborne Red remains a point ahead of Bacchus Marsh, courtesy of a big win against club mates Gisborne Yellow.
Gisborne Red won 96 (16)-73 (2).
Lancefield leapfrogged Kyneton Golf into the top four, with a 106 (16)-74 (2) win.
Kyneton claimed all points on offer in its 147 (18)-46 (0) smashing of Trentham.
Macedon Ranges, Kyneton Blue, Woodend and Kyneton Red all won in division 2, while Gisborne, Lancefield, Macedon Ranges, Bacchus Marsh and Trentham were the winners in division 3.
