By Tara Murray
Bacchus Marsh came out on top in the first battle against Melton in Bowls Victoria Pennant division 2, section 1.
Playing each other for the first time since Bacchus Marsh moved to the Bowls Victoria competition, it was one match-up both sides were looking forward too.
It was a reasonably close match all day, with Bacchus Marsh holding the lead for much of it.
Bacchus Marsh was able to stay on top when needed, coming away with an 85 (16)-64 (2) win.
Bacchus Marsh president and skip Phil Minniti said it was good to get a first win at home against their closest competitor.
“As we’ve said, it’s a friendly rivalry with Melton,” he said.
“It was a really good day and pretty close all day.
“We were just ahead all day, but we were never far enough ahead to feel comfortable.
“To come home with 16 points this time is big.”
Bacchus Marsh’s Tanner Dickson-Arthur’s rink won 25-14 against Alan Thistlethwaite in the biggest win of the day.
Troy Williams’ rink won 20-13 against Conrad Dawson’s rink and Daniel Willis’ rink won 24-19 against Russell Taylor.
Minniti’s rink was the only one not to get up, losing to Colin Norris’ rink 18-16.
Minniti said they had enjoyed the challenge of the new competition so far.
“We’ve got what we expected so far,” he said.
“We knew it was a bit tougher than from what we were used to playing.
“We’re yet to have our full side, we’ll have that in the next few weeks.
“We had a couple missing on the weekend. It will be full steam ahead.”
Bacchus Marsh sits on top of the ladder after two rounds, having claimed 32 of a possible 36 points.
It is the only side to have won both of its matches.
Minniti said the first two weeks set up their season, which is full of a lot of unknown challenges.
“That’s two wins in a row and it’s a dream start,” he said. “To have one win at home and one win away, it sets up everything.”
Bacchus Marsh this week faces Strathmore, which is 1-1.
Melton, which has a 1-1 record, will play Werribee at home.
Meanwhile, Bacchus Marsh’s Central Highlands Bowls Division sides had mixed results.
In division 1, Bacchus Marsh lost to last year’s runners-up Lancefield.
The division 3 side, also faced Lancefield. It went down to the final bowl, with Bacchus Marsh getting the win.
