Tara Murray
Melton is hoping that it will be third time lucky in Bowls Victoria pennant, division 2, section 2.
Having fallen short at the final hurdle the last two seasons, Melton is through to a third straight grand final this Saturday against Aberfeldie CBC.
Melton had to do it the hard way after losing its semi final to Aberfeldie CBC on Saturday. Melton bounced back on Sunday, beating Moonee Ponds.
Melton president Conrad Dawson said they were thrilled to be back in the final match of the year.
“It’s amazing and the emotions are running high,” he said. “The job is not over. Everyone knows what they have to do in the grand final.
“We’ve been there before and dropped the bundle. Hopefully this is our year.”
On Saturday, Melton was upset by Aberfeldie CBC.
While the final margin was 77 (16)-71 (2), Dawson said the match was in Aberfeldie’s control all day.
“They came to play from start to finish and were in front all day,” he said.
“We could not fault them. We could not catch them.”
Anthony Holland was the only winning skip for Melton, with his rink winning 23-13.
While not ideal to lose the first final, Dawson said it was probably the wake up call that the group needed.
“It was what the side needed,” he said. ”We went through the season losing just one game.
“It showed that we were not unbeatable and it’s been good how things have panned out.”
With the second chance, Melton faced Moonee Ponds on Sunday.
Melton got the win, 77 (15)-67 (3).
Dawson said the match could have gone either way.
“It was pretty much level all day,” he said. “Towards the end, our coach Todd [Trewarne] picked up an eight which is a perfect score in bowls.
“It was enough for us to win the match, right at the depth.”
Trewarne’s rink won 28-20, Luke Spargo’s rink won 19-13, while Holland’s rink had a tie.
With one of the youngest side’s in the competition, Dawson said there was plenty of excitement over what they could achieve.
Melton will face Aberfeldie CBC on Saturday in the grand final at Aberfeldie Community Bowls Club.
Having fallen to them once in the finals series, Dawson isn’t keen to do it again.
“We know what they can do,” he said. “This time we will be better prepared for it.
“We’ve been in finals before, hopefully we can learn from that experience and hurt from losing and go through this year.”
