Tara Murray
Bacchus Marsh continued on its winning ways in the Bowls Victoria weekend pennant division 2, section 1 competition on Saturday.
While the rest of the games in the section were washed out, Bacchus Marsh was able to take to the greens against Buckley Park.
Bacchus Marsh controlled three of the four rinks and was able to win the fourth in close one, to win, 80 (18)-48 (0).
Glenn Sargent’s rink had an 18-16 win, Phil Minniti’s rink won 25-9, Justin Webster’s rink had a 20-11 win and Matthew Young’s rink won 17-12.
Minniti and Glenn Arthur sit atop the player ladder, with seven wins and one draw from their eight matches so far.
Minniti said the game only just finished with Buckley Park staying on long enough to have enough ends to complete the match.
He said they expected to have a strong season having come back down from division 1 after last season.
“The top side are doing really well,” he said. “We replaced the players we lost after last season with players of similar ability.
“There’s definitely a gap in the quality of opposition between division 1 and division 2.”
Minniti said the aim was always to get straight back up to the higher grade.
“Not to be a smartass, but looking at the draw we thought we would be on at least par, better than half the sides coming down from division 1.
“We thought we would finish in the top four and then once you make finals, it’s a different ball game.”
The win and the other teams having to share the points, resulted in Bacchus Marsh extending its lead at the top of the table.
Bacchus Marsh is now 24 points clear of Deer Park 2 and 32 clear of third placed Werribee.
Bacchus Marsh plays Deer Park 2 on Saturday in the final round before the Christmas break.
Minniti said they were looking forward to the challenge in the top of the table clash.
He said their other sides were having good seasons, with the second side sitting in the top four, while their division 3 side has been unlucky with results.
In division 2, section 2, Melton also continued its good form with a 75 (15)-67 (3) win against Moonee Ponds.
Todd Trewarne’s rink won 22-11 and Todd Blackburn’s won 19-18. Chris Barritt-Eyles rink finished 17-apiece, while Flynn O’Shaughnessy’s rink lost 21-17.
Melton remains well clear at the top of the table, sitting 32 points clear of Essendon 2.
Melton faces Thornbury this Saturday.
Melton’s division 2, section 1 team didn’t get on.
