Olivia Cartwright skipped one of the BCGR outfits at the Region Sides Championship. Photos: File.
The Bowls Victoria Region Sides Championship was held over the weekend, with Bendigo Campaspe Goldfields sides, featuring a glut of local talent, making the trip to Ballarat to compete in the Gold division.
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For the women’s side, the Campaspe talent included Moama’s Emma Simmonds, Robyn Thomassen, Olivia Carwright and Marilyn Stephenson, as well as Echuca’s Lee Beattie and Stanhope’s Jamie Stokes.
Moama’s Colleen Maslen and Echuca’s Michelle Cunnington were named as emergencies.
The men’s team featured Moama’s Cameron Keenan, Matt Robertson and Peter Campbell, along with Tongala’s Brad Tinning.
The sides were paired up with three other bowls regions in a group stage, competing in three rinks of fours, with the winner of the group progressing to a final against the winner of the other Gold group.
The women’s side were unlucky to fall to Eastern Ranges in the first round, defeated by just two shots, 59-57.
Cameron Keenan was one of four Campaspe representatives in the men’s side.
The two rinks featuring all six Campaspe representatives both picked up wins in the tie, but the margins weren’t strong enough for the overall result.
The side rebounded in round two, defeating the Sandbelt region 55-49.
The Olivia Cartwright-skipped rink prevailed 21-17 in the tie.
BCGR also grabbed the win in the final round, 58-46, against Ballarat Highlands, finishing at 2-1 in the group stage.
Unfortunately, a marginally better shot difference allowed Sandbelt to top the group and progress to the final.
In the men’s competition, BCGR started well, picking up a five-shot victory, 61-56, over Goulburn Murray.
However, that was the peak of the tournament for the men’s side, going down 66-49 to Sandbelt in round two and 70-44 to Northern Gateway in round three.
Finishing 1-2, BCGR’s poor margin saw them finish bottom of their group.
Players are now gearing up for the return of regular weekend pennant, and BCGR Premier League action on Saturday.
