Preview of final rounds for 2024
A report for THE MERCURY by Peter Kirby
Bowls South’s Divergence Built Premier Division Pennant took a break last Saturday for the Hobart Regatta Day long weekend, which provides an opportunity to preview the final 5 rounds of its roster season, as well as the last 3 rounds of Thursday Women’s Division 1 Pennant.
Divergence Built Premier Division
While there is no likelihood that any of the sides in the Premier Division’s top four will drop out, their finishing order is still in doubt, with each of the leading sides yet to play 2 other sides in the top four. Kingborough, in particular, is in a vulnerable position, having to play leaders, Glenorchy Rodman, and third-placed Sandy Bay over the next two rounds.
The possibility of losing both matches could result in the premiers slipping from second, giving up the coveted double chance in the finals. With Brighton just 4 points in arrears, Sandy Bay has its own problems hanging on to third and a home final, with the result of their Round 16 clash at Sandy Bay likely to resolve their final positions on the ladder.
Tenth-placed New Norfolk has a difficult run home, and would seem the likely candidates for relegation, 8 points behind Buckingham in ninth. Their match at Buckingham on Saturday may decide which of the two finishes last.
Ladies Division 1
In Bowls South’s Thursday Women’s Division 1 Pennant, current top side, Kingborough, has a tough assignment over the next 2 rounds, playing second-placed Glenorchy Rodman at home today, and fourth-placed Sandy Bay, also at home, next week.
Other than today’s game against Kingborough, Glenorchy Rodman has the easiest run to the finals of any of the top four sides but, with Howrah just 2 points behind in third, Rodman could cede the double chance to the premiers.
Fourth-placed Sandy Bay has a 12-point break on Claremont in fifth and, other than playing Kingborough in Round 17, also has an easy load and should have no concerns holding on to their place in the four.
The battle to avoid relegation, between Sorell on 39 points, and Rosny Park, last on 38 points, is as tight as could be, with both sides having no easy matches, and with the possibility of neither side winning any of their remaining roster matches, it is quite possible that a place in Thursday Women’s Division 1 Pennant for 2024-25 will be decided by which of the two sides has the most rink wins from their final 3 games.