By Peter Brennan
Coming off their first win the Yarra Junction Bowling Club midweek team was keen to consolidate, and travelled to Ferntree Gully. The green there is a fast synthetic, not unlike Junction’s, and held no fears. It was a good game, see-sawing a little, but tending in Ferntree Gully’s favour. Junction felt they were playing well but gradually fell behind, and ultimately lost all three rinks to slide back to the bottom of the ladder. The situation is not as dire as it might appear. An examination of the ladder shows the three top teams opening up a break, but only one win separates the next five. Junction has played the top teams, but there are potentially easier games to come. All is not lost.
The weekend team hosted Blackburn at home, and once again the weather threatened to be a major player in the day’s events. Severe weather was forecast, and the match started early to try and avoid it. But although it felt that the coming storms were building, they never eventuated. It was sultry, humid, and gusty, but not wet. The green was running fast and Blackburn struggled to cope with it. Junction opened up an early lead and managed to hold it. As Blackburn came to terms with the conditions they threatened to haul in the deficit, but Junction held on to win three rinks and won overall by a considerable margin. At the same time ladder leader Mitcham was defeating third-placed Upwey-Tecoma, so Junction’s hold on second place was strengthened. In an interesting match next week Junction will play away against Upwey-Tecoma, and although Junction has a sufficient hold on second place a loss will make it marginal. With two away games in the next two weeks, nothing is safe.
The Community Cup on Friday evening was not so lucky with the weather, and heavy rain caused a washout. No play was possible.
The club championships are progressing, with some close and exciting games. Barefoot Bowls is drawing closer, and with a bar, a sausage sizzle, and all equipment available, it is worth making plans for the long summer evenings just around the corner. With music playing across a floodlit green, what could be better? Or else just wander down anytime and try out this sport. Yarra Junction Bowling Club is in a beautiful spot down by the river, and visitors are always welcome. It may well be just what you are looking for.
