Bowled over by shock win

Melton Secondary College lawns bowls team Alisha, David and Emily.

By Ewen McRae

Melton Secondary College is now home to Victoria’s newest state champions.

A trio of students from the school recently claimed the bowls senior state title, after entering a team in the competition for the first time.

Year 10 student Alisha was joined by her brother David and Emilee (both year 7) in the team, and together they fought off stiff competition before eventually knocking off the defending champions from Cobden.

“All the kids we played were in year 11 or 12, so that was a bit of a worry,” Alisha said. “Not many people at school know what bowls is, so they don’t really understand it, but it was good to win and we had a lot of fun.”

While Alisha has been bowling for six years, and Emilee is in the state bowls squad, David picked up a bowl just two days before the first round of qualification.

They lost their first game at the Werribee regional round, but from there they went through unbeaten, eventually defeating Cobden 12-11.

Sport co-ordinator Gerard Darcy said the team came together well.

“It’s really exciting for the kids. To go there with two year 7s and go with the attitude of just doing your best, I think that helped us in the end,” he said.