Clubs in the Campaspe lawn bowls playing area have voted to delay the start of the 2022-23 pennant season until the last weekend of November.
Bendigo Campaspe Goldfields Bowls Region match committee chair Kevin Anderson offered clubs three options early last week and a decision was made to give clubs another three weeks to prepare for the season.
“We are aware that a number of our bowlers have been hit hard by the floods that have wreaked havoc through our playing area,” Anderson said.
“These have been compounded by severe weather, preventing any pennant bowls being played this season.”
The Campaspe playing area season was scheduled to start on October 15, but will now be a nine-round home-and-away season.
Tongala will be defending its 2021-22 title when competition eventually gets under way, having beaten Echuca by one shot in a thrilling final at Rochester last season.
There are seven teams in the top flight, Tongala, Echuca and Rochester joined by Moama Steamers, Deniliquin, Rich River and Mathoura.
Tongala will start its title defence against Rich River and will contest a grand final replay against Echuca on December 10.
The final round before the Christmas break is on December 17, with competition due to re-start in the new year on January 14.
Rochester will have a first round bye in the division one competition to provide the recovery effort with an extra week.
Anderson said the match committee felt a start date for the season should be a decision that must be made in consultation with all clubs.
“Some bowlers will be eager to get out on the greens and be playing again, while it will be the furthest thing from the mind of others,” he said.
The three options were to start the season last weekendf (Friday and Saturday, November 4-5), to start the weekend after the Victorian Open concludes (Saturday, November 26 and Tuesday, November 29 for midweek).
The final option was to play a half season,with midweek starting on December 9 (with exception of Division one which would start on November 29, to give two full rounds) and weekend starting December 10.
Clubs unable to host games will be given the option to play fixtures at an alternative “home” venue.
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