Deer Park reigned supreme in Saturday’s battle between two of the Victorian pennant bowls competition’s leading sides.
The first-placed Parkers knocked off second-placed Melton by 24 shots in a possible finals preview.
Despite playing away from home, Deer Park won all four rinks and claimed 17 of a possible 18 points.
Melton Bowls Club secretary John Adams paid credit to the victorious Parkers, highlighting their depth as one of the key differences between the two sides.
“We got a bit of a reality check,” Adams said. “We were only four shots down at afternoon tea, but they’re a very good side, as we knew they would be.
“They played more consistently, and their skippers were able to come up big at crucial times. We know exactly where we stand now.”
The weekend’s win continues what has been a hot run of form for Deer Park, now one of the division’s premiership favourites.
The Parkers were 2-2 after four rounds, and looked in for a battle to make the finals.
However, seven wins in a row has rocketed them to outright top spot on the ladder, now 13 points clear of the nearest rival.
For Melton, Saturday’s result is a reminder of just how close the division 1 competition is at the top end.
At the halfway point of the season, Melton has slipped from second to fifth, with the club going from a likely finalist to being on the outside looking in.
And the draw isn’t about to get any easier for Melton.
“We have the second side [Glenroy] away next week, and we play the third side [Moonee Valley] after that, so we know that will be tough,” Adams said.
“We need to win at least one of those matches. We will always keep persevering and we’re looking forward to it. We are learning all the time; we’re getting better all the time. We just need to band together, support one another and not let anything get to us.”
Deer Park takes on third-placed Moonee Valley this week.
In other round nine results, Altona defeated Werribee, Moonee Valley got the better of Altona Sports, and Preston beat Essendon.
