Melton got its season off to a great start in the Bowls Victoria metropolitan pennant competitions on Saturday.
The club’s first side proved too good for Berwick in division 1, winning 16-79 to 2-71.
The early victory is just what the club was after following a strong 2013-14 campaign.
Three Melton sides earned promotion last season, while the division 1 team maintained its place in the competition’s second-top grade.
Melton secretary John Adams said the aim was for similar successes this year.
“It will be quite different teams this season,” he said.
“We’ve probably lost five players from the top side and probably three from the seconds.
“Someone will have to stand up … we have been going all right so far, which has been good to see.”
While Melton’s lower grades excelled last season, it was a rollercoaster for the top side in its first year in division 1.
The team started in a blaze of glory, occupying third spot on the ladder at the Christmas break.
But the side struggled for wins after that and finished the season seventh.
Adams said the players learnt a lot from the experience.
“Being the first year in division 1 … obviously it’s a lot harder than division 2,” he said. “Early on we got the jump on a few sides. We have a massive home ground advantage here in Melton, with our green being synthetic. After a few weeks they woke up to it. In the higher grades, better bowlers master the synthetic surface quicker.”
Melton will take on Lalor in division 1 this week.
Melton’s division 4 side proved too good for City of Melbourne, winning 14-75 to 4-72. The division 2 side lost 14-82 to 4-71 to Sunshine City.
Russell Harrison sends one down for Melton at the weekend. Photo: Damian Visentini
