Sport
30 January, 2026
Midweek Bowls axed due to heat
As temperatures sweltered to a staggering 44 degrees, the Goldfields Playing Area elected to abandon round 12 due to the scorching heat.
That leaves only two rounds to play in the home and away season, with many vital finals questions yet to be answered.
The cancellation doesn’t affect much right at the summit of the ladder, with Highland Tartan now needing just one point to secure the minor premiership.
While the abandonment of round 12 was of no consequence to Tartan, that sentiment cannot be said for Maryborough Golf, who were set to play the reigning premiers on Tuesday.
Despite being in third, Golf are now in control of their double chance destiny, set to travel to second-placed Dunolly Blue for a blockbuster clash next Tuesday.
With four points separating the two teams, Dunolly Blue can punch their double chance ticket with a win, avoiding the dread of needing a result against Tartan at the 11th hour in round 14.
However, any defeat would see Golf leapfrog them with one round to play, highly advantageous for last season’s runner-up as they end their regular season versus bottom-of-the-table Dunolly Gold.
While Dunolly Blue and Golf will get to duel for their finals seeding, Highland Gold and Carisbrook had that luxury taken away from them in the race for fourth with round 12’s cancellation.
That means Highland Gold still holds pole position with a five-point lead over Carisbrook, but with Tartan and Avoca in their final two matches, Carisbrook can steal that place with Avoca and Talbot in the final stretch.
Speaking of Talbot, they are determined not be forgotten in the finals discussion. Despite currently trailing Highland Gold by 15 points, they could make a remarkable late surge with clashes against Dunolly Gold and Carisbrook.