Bacchus Marsh is embracing a new challenge which means it’s hitting the road in the Bowls Victoria weekend pennant division 1, section 4.
With a new division set to be introduced next year between division 1 and premier division, the division 1 competition has been shaken up this year.
Instead of being based on location, sides are now travelling across the city to play bowls each weekend.
Bacchus Marsh’s Phil Minitti said they were keen for success this season to be part of the new division.
“Division 1 side is an open draw,” he said. “It means a lot of travelling to the other side of town to Pakenham and everywhere in between.
“We only have to do it for one season and it’s a good opportunity to play some different teams we’ve never played before.
“It’s an exciting challenge. Promotion is the next step for the club.”
Minniti admits the extra travel has resulted in a couple of players making the decision not to play this year.
The side has lost Matthew Bacon, Aaron Young and Troy Williams.
On the other side Sam Boslem and Peter Clements have returned, while Minniti said Matthew Young is a young bowler to watch in the future.
The club again has five weekend pennant teams, along with three mid-week teams. It’s the second season that the two Bacchus Marsh clubs, Bacchus Marsh and the Avenue have played together on the green.
Minniti said there hadn’t been much change off the green in the merger, with the clubs waiting for the new facility to be built.
Bacchus Marsh started the season with a one-shot loss to Brunswick.
This Saturday they face Flemington-Kensington, one of the sides that they played last season.
