By Callum Ludwig
Luck continues to run against the Yarra Junction Bowling Club midweek team. With the last home game of the season a winnable one against Vermont South, the weather gods decided to throw into the mix extreme heat, strong northerly winds, and a total fire ban, to ensure the game was declared unplayable due to extreme conditions. So only one game remains, an away match at Mooroolbark, before the curtain can be drawn on a season that did not go according to plan.
The weekend team was also at home, but the conditions were much more benign. An overcast day that turned into a sunny afternoon saw third placed Upwey-Tecoma play second placed Yarra Junction in a game that had nothing riding on the result, but was a possible precursor to the finals. It was an engrossing match with excellent bowling, and Junction made the most of their home ground advantage to build a strong lead, eventually running away to an emphatic win.
So the stage is set for the finals, with Yarra Glen seizing fourth spot. Next weekend second placed Junction will travel to Mitcham to play the runaway leaders in a semi-final with the winner going through to the grand final. The loser will host the winner of Upwey-Tecoma versus Yarra Glen on the following day in a preliminary final. The grand final will be played at a neutral venue, which will unfortunately be on a grass green. If the bookies were interested they would be predicting that Junction would play consecutive games against Upwey-Tecoma, Mitcham, Upwey-Tecoma, then Mitcham in the final. But nothing is predictable, and it would be a fool who tried. But the Pennant is certainly there to be won, and undefeated strong favourites have fallen at the last hurdle before. Just think of Hawthorn in 2008 running over Geelong in a highly enjoyable upset, and Australia beating the undefeated India in the recent World Cup. It can be done, and wouldn’t it be good to do it again.
Meanwhile don’t forget Barefoot Bowls on Friday evenings. Before you know it winter will be upon us and you will have missed out on a most enjoyable evening.
Good luck to Yarra Junction Bowling Club in the Pennant finals.
