By Peter Brennan
As the end of the Pennant season approaches tension mounts at Yarra Junction Bowling Club, with finals still possible in both competitions.
The Midweek team hosted Yarra Glen on a warm and muggy day and secured a good win on all three rinks and a convincing win overall. This result shores up the third position and brings them within striking distance of the second. With three games to go the sky is still the limit, and a home final is a real possibility.
The Weekend team faced a real challenge to stay alive, travelling to Mooroolbark to play Mooroolbark 7. Mooroolbark is a large club with many teams and two play in the same division as Yarra Junction. They have three greens, and normally Junction would expect to play on one of the slow grass greens. It was a surprise to find that because of the number of matches scheduled that day, the grass greens were full, and Junction found themselves on the faster synthetic, which possibly suited them better. But all greens are a level playing field.
Because of the high temperatures forecast, the match was moved to a morning start, but any attempt to avoid the heat was doomed to fail. Conditions were difficult, as the temperature climbed into the mid-thirties and the north wind picked up strength, gusting across the green in an unpredictable fashion. Junction got off to a good start and held a lead throughout, eventually winning three rinks and losing one, and registering a good win overall.
This is a significant win and makes the ladder interesting, as Junction moves into fourth position, albeit temporarily. With a somewhat inconvenient bye next week and no chance of influencing things, it all comes down to the last game of the season in two weeks’ time, when Junction will host Mooroolbark 6 in a blockbuster that will probably decide fourth position.
Barefoot Bowls continues every Friday evening at 6.30, with the bar open, sausages sizzling, and all equipment available.
The club welcomes new members, and anyone interested should wander down to our spot by the river, take advantage of our free coaching, and explore this ancient and enjoyable sport.
