MANY bowls fans were by the greens for Friday night’s historic division one clash under the South Bendigo Bowing Club’s lights.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
South took on Bendigo East in the first match for premiership points to be played at night in the history of the Bendigo Bowls top division.
The Bendigo East Magpies won three of four rinks as they soared to a 25-shot victory.
After the final bowl was rolled, East led 109-84.
A highlight was the one-off appearance of bowls legend Steve Glasson to skipper one of South Bendigo's rinks.
Glasson scored a 23-22 victory against Liam Crapper.
The John Jennings-skipped rink from South Bendigo was beaten 29-25 in the contest with Brian Griffin.
Biggest win of the night's play was achieved by the David Keenan-skipped rink from East.
Keenan and his team-mates won 31-13 against Noel Wilkinson.
The Brad Holland-skipped rink won 27-23 against South Bendigo's Ray McCumber.
Victoria’s Minister for Sport, Damian Drum said the new lighting was a great way to attract more people to bowls.
Mr Drum congratulated all stakeholders in the project.
Funding for the lights was provided through the City of Greater Bendigo, Victorian Government, and South Bendigo Bowling Club.
Mr Drum said the lighting meant the bowls club could run different events at night and introduce more people to what he called a “great game”.
“The one thing I hear from many bowlers is ‘I wish I had started earlier.".
City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Barry Lyons had previously been at the club to announce the funding, was there when the lights were first switched on and was by the green to watch play at the Quarry Hill-based club.