General News
12 November, 2021
Giants to rebound from Central humbling
REINFORCEMENTS are set to arrive for Camperdown this weekend following a disappointing loss in the opening week of Corangamite Bowls.
REINFORCEMENTS are set to arrive for Camperdown this weekend following a disappointing loss in the opening week of Corangamite Bowls.
The Giants were humbled by Colac Central at Thornton Street last Saturday, with the Hornets cruising to a 110-80 victory.
Central skippers Ricky Finn and Chris Pearson dominated their contests against Fred Salmon and Ron Simcox respectively, with the pair winning their matches by a combined 48 shots.
Camperdown skips Matthew Brewer (28-19) and Mark McDonald (27-22) both recorded wins in their contests against Ron Chapman and Ian Johnson, but the duo could not pull back the overall margin in the 30 shot loss.
Brewer said the first-up performance was “pretty ordinary” after the club entered the contest with high hopes.
He conceded his side missed key players Luke Wright and Ron Cameron, with the pair set to return for this weekend’s clash with Colac (2).
“It was a little bit disappointing. I thought we would have accounted ourselves better than that, especially on our home green,” Brewer said.
“Obviously having a couple of skippers out showed out a lot in the end.
“There wasn’t much in it at arvo tea, it was only five to eight shots Central’s way but really it was those two (losing) rinks that went down to be honest (that was the difference).
“They were beaten easily all day and we certainly didn’t win the other rinks to cover what they lost by, it was too great a margin.”
While the overall margin was disappointing, Brewer found positives in the returns of McDonald and Brad Wilson.
McDonald was playing his first pennant match after missing the 2020/21 season, while Wilson was back in Camperdown colours for the first time since departing Camperdown Golf.
Brewer said the pair were standouts throughout a tough day of bowling.
“It’s good to have Mark back in the side and as I said it allows everyone to drop down a peg or two,” he said.
“He’s a very good player and a very good team player.
“Brad Wilson had a good day on Saturday, even though he played in the rink that had a heavy loss, he was a shining light for us.
“He’s only just back at Camperdown but he acquitted himself well. He bowled well in the practice matches and earnt his spot and bowled well in a losing rink which was good to see.”
The Giants are now turning its attention to its forthcoming clash with Colac (2) at Colac’s lakeside green.
Brewer said his club would welcome back Wright and Cameron for their first games of the season but knows they will have their work cut out this weekend.
“Luke and Ron will come back in and take over the skippers roles in both rinks that lost,” he said.
“That will allow everyone to drop down a peg or two but we basically have to pretty much forget about it and move on.
“We’ll concentrate on winning this one. Colac (2) play very well down there and are hard to beat whenever you play them.
“Colac has two sides in it and we all know how good their top side is but their second side is more than capable so we really have to knuckle downfor it.”
In the other opening round matches, Cobden recorded a narrow 97-93 win over Colac (2), Lorne defeated reigning premiers Colac (1) 95-93 and Simpson was too good for top grade returnees Winchelsea in a 109-69 triumph.