Tara Murray
Melton has ticked off step one of two in its quest for the Bowls Victoria weekend pennant division 2, section 2 title.
After losing the grand final the last three years, including by one shot last season, the Mustangs were keen to get another shot at it.
Having dominated all season, the Mustangs showed why they’ve been the top side all season against Essendon 2 on Saturday in the semi finals.
In a dominant display, the Mustangs won 98 (18)-55 (0).
Mustangs president Anthony Briggs said they were just taking it a step at a time.
“It was step one of step two. That’s the way we’ve been looking at it,” he said. “We have been sitting on top for most of the season and to get to the first final and do that it’s a pretty nice way to do it.
“The club has been in the grand final the last three years trying to get back into division 1, this is step one and hopefully we finish the job next week.”
Briggs said one of the biggest things for the side this season was the depth that they had across all the rinks.
He said the team had been the strongest it had in the last few years.
“We’re not worried about one rink being weaker than the others,” he said. “One team might have an off day and the other three will get it down.”
Briggs said there were no standouts in the win against Essendon 2, with a solid team performance.
Chris Barritt-Eyles rink won 29-20, Flynn O’Shaughnessy’s rink won 19-13, Todd Trewarne’s rink won 29-12 and Todd Blackburn’s rink won 21-10.
“Every rink had control all day,” Briggs said. “The game was basically over at half way through and we put the foot to the pedal and didn’t allow them to get back into it.”
Briggs said the consistency in the side and across the season would be the difference in them hopefully getting over the line in the grand final this Saturday.
The grand final against either Essendon 2 or Ivanhoe who played in the preliminary final on Sunday. It will be played at a neutral green.
“We think we can handle any challenge thrown at us,” he said. “Hopefully we can get it right on the day.
“We think we have a bigger and better side this year. We’re equally as determined after falling short the last few years.”
A win in the section grand final would send the Mustangs into the finals with the other section winners.
Briggs said they were just focused on taking it one match at a time.
“Our only goal is to get promoted.”
Tara Murray
