By Tara Murray
Melton won a thriller in the opening round of the Bowls Victoria Pennant, division 2, section 1 competition.
Having been relegated from division 1, Melton started its quest to go back up with a two shot win against Yarraville-Footscray 2.
The teams split the rinks two apiece, with Melton winning 75 (14)-73 (4).
Melton skip Conrad Dawson said they needed to hold their composure late.
“It was a nail-biter in the end,” he said.
“We were in front all day and Yarraville-Footscray really pushed towards the end.
“It took them a while to get used to our green, as we made the most of home grown advantage.
“They pushed us, but we were able to hold on.”
Colin Norris and Alan Thistlethwaite were the winning skips for Melton, while Dawson and Russell Taylor both lost.
Dawson said it was good to start the season on a winning note, after coming off a tough year.
“It was a tough season,” he said. “We started great before it went completely sideways. The top two sides are both in division 2 this year.
“We want to go back up and it’s one of the club’s goals to get back up there.”
The second side, which is in section two, also had a win beating Altona 2, 83 (16)-70 (2).
This week Melton’s top side faces Bacchus Marsh, in a clash both sides have been waiting for.
Bacchus Marsh made the move across from the Central Highlands Bowls Division in the off season.
Dawson said there was a friendly rivalry between the two clubs.
“We are old rivals and we are good friends with a lot of their players,” he said.
“We’ve been anticipating them coming into the league.
“Them coming into the league gives us a bit of a rivalry game, we’ve been building up the match and the rivalry, internally and between the clubs.
“We’re proud they got a win first-up and hopefully we can put a dint in them next week.”
Bacchus Marsh also started the season with a win, beating Werribee 89 (16)-70 (2).
They snatched the win 25-21 with a five from Phil Minniti’s rink on the final end.
After scoring seven on the first rink, Danny Willis’ rink managed to win by that margin, winning 28-21.
In his first game as skip for the club, Arthur Dickson’s rink lost by two.
Recruit Mark Godbolt, who has come across from Lancefield, got the job done with his rink winning 19-9.
