By Tara Murray
Melton got a clear indication of the gap between itself and ladder leader Moonee Valley in Bowls Victoria Pennant division 1, section 1.
Having dropped three successive matches, Melton always had a tough task against runaway leaders Moonee Valley.
That proved to be the case as Moonee Valley won 87 (16)-67 (2) to maintain its lead at the top of the table.
Melton skip Conrad Dawson said while they never expected to win the match, to get two points against them was a bonus.
“I’m very surprised they [Moonee Valley] didn’t get into premier league,” Dawson said.
“They got three rinks on us and for us to get one rink on them and get two points is good.
“We did really well and weren’t embarrassed.
“We had a chat after the game and said that is where we want to be.”
Ray Gnjidic was the winning skip for Melton.
The loss leaves Melton further outside the top four in sixth spot, but Dawson said they were not concerned despite losing their past four games.
Picture Gallery: Melton vs Moonee Valley
Dawson said they had played some hard teams in recent weeks and this was the first time they had been badly beaten.
“We’re under no illusions that we’re going to go out there and win the league,” he said.
“The main aim is to stay in division 1 and possibly make the top four.”
Dawson said they hoped to pick up a few more wins to keep the pressure on the top sides.
He said with several new players it had taken some time for the side to gel.
It was a tough day for Melton as all four of its sides lost.
In the Central Highlands Bowls top division, Gisborne Red inflicted Bacchus Marsh’s first loss of the season.
In the closest match of the round, Red defeated Bacchus Marsh, 102 (14)-92 (4). Don Louttit and Simon Cornock were the winning skips for Bacchus Marsh.
The win kept Red in fourth spot, while Bacchus Marsh remains on top.
Third-placed Kyneton, second-placed Kyneton Golf and Lancefield were the other winners on Saturday.
Bacchus Marsh, Macedon Ranges, Woodend and Kyneton Blue were the winners in division 2, while Gisborne, Trentham, Woodend and Lancefield were the winners in division 3.
OTHER BOWLS NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/sunbury-star-mikayla-long-shines-to-take-out-victorian-open-title/
