MANY sports have charities and causes they support and recognise through a named round of competition.
Last week Bowls Sunraysia held the Orange Round for Sport, which placed a spotlight on gender-based violence in an attempt to raise awareness and drive action to end violence against women and girls.
It was pleasing to see the bowls community embrace and support that cause.
Turning to this weekend, all teams in Saturday Pennant Division 1 can still play finals in February, but such hopes could be dashed – or the final rounds could explode into a finals-like contest every weekend.
Mildura and Irymple sit in the top two spots but will need to keep their guards up, with the former to face Merbein at Kenny Park.
The Hawks have been in damage control after losses to Ouyen and Red Cliffs and will need to dig deep against the top side. A win would provide some short term breathing space from the rest of the pack.
The Magic have pulled together in recent weeks and won some close encounters when under the pump. Tipping the top side to prevail.
Irymple will be smarting after their touch-up at Ouyen and will be in no mood to take things quietly against the Workers.
Much will depend on player availability and if the Suns can select from a full list they should be able to handle the Workers unit.
Workers took their match up to Mildura last weekend and came close to upending their Cureton Avenue co-tenants. Toss a coin.
Red Cliffs and Ouyen have all to play for.
The Tigers need a win to stay alive in the contest. The Two Blues could seal their spot in the four with a solid win.
However, much will also depend on how the results of other games fall. Ouyen at home will start favourites.
Top Division 2 side Coomealla head over the border to tackle Mildura in a battle for bragging rights.
The Cannons are entrenched in top spot. The Magic will be looking to repeat their round 5 performance and send a message to the ladder leaders that they are worthy challengers.
Mildura’s Reg Gardner sits on top of the players’ table. Coomealla have seven in the top 10. Roll a bowl to work out a winner.
Irymple host Nangiloc at the Cauldron. The ’Loc are back in form and will be looking to up the ante after their first-round loss to the Suns.
If Irymple win they have a chance to grab second spot on the ladder. Suns at home.
Workers welcome Ouyen to Cureton Avenue and will start solid favourites.
Division 3 top side Wentworth tackle Mildura at Cureton Avenue.
The top side have the Behsmann clan occupying the top three spots on the players’ ladder. With all to play for the Magic will be keen to record a win to tighten up the top end of the table.
Euston have begun a late surge towards the finals and sit in third spot. Workers travel over the border to do battle and will need to take their A game to upset the Bandits.
Irymple travel to Tiger Park to tackle Red Cliffs. The Suns will be looking for a good win in the knowledge that it will keep them in the hunt for finals.
Merbein and Underbool do battle at Underbool. Both sides sit on 50 points, three shy of the four.
A win for both sides is imperative if they have finals aspirations. Home side to collect the points.
In Division 4, Bandits 3 host Mildura 4; visitors to take the points. Underbool host Irymple; Suns to shine. Coomealla host Bandits 2; Cannons to fire. Red Cliffs at home to Mildura 5; this will be a tight one, Magic to take the tricks.
