By Tara Murray
The battle for Central Highlands Bowls division’s top grade finals spots will go down to the final round of the season.
Only top side Gisborne Red is assured of a finals place, with Bacchus Marsh, Lancefield, Kyneton Golf and Kyneton fighting it out for the other three.
Gisborne Red remains on top of the ladder heading into the final round, despite a big loss to Bacchus Marsh, 98 (15)-83 (3).
Simon Cornock and Daniel Willis led winning rinks for Bacchus Marsh, while Phil Minniti shared the points in his match with Graham Quaife. Tim Rogers was the winning skip for Gisborne Red.
The win moved Bacchus Marsh to 161 points, three points behind Gisborne Red.
Gisborne Red picked up three points in the loss, which proved vital to assure their finals spot with one round remaining.
While they sit 17 points clear of fifth-placed Kyneton, Gisborne can’t slip out of the top four due to final round matches between teams in the top five.
Lancefield, Kyneton Golf and Kyneton all had wins on Saturday.
Lancefield claimed all 18 points in its 102 (18)-70 (0) win against Trentham.
Jeffrey Holmes’ rink was the big winner for Lancefield, winning 31-17.
Lancefield sits third, equal on points with second-placed Bacchus Marsh.
Kyneton Golf was the big winner of the day, smashing Gisborne Yellow, 121 (18)-73 (0). All Golf rinks won by at least six shots.
Kyneton kept the pressure on the top four sides with a 109 (16)-69 (2) win against Romsey.
Craig Vincent’s rink had a day out winning by 19 shots.
The result leaves Kyneton on 147 points, six points behind fourth-placed Kyneton Golf.
They were four points behind entering Saturday’s match.
The battle to avoid relegation will also go down to the wire, with Gisborne Yellow and Trentham looking to avoid bottom spot.
Gisborne Yellow sits eight points ahead of bottom-placed Trentham.
Woodend, Bacchus Marsh, Macedon Ranges and Kyneton Blue were the winners in division 2, while Gisborne, Kyneton, Macedon Ranges, Woodend and Bacchus Marsh won in division 3.
