By Peter Brennan
Yarra Junction Bowling Club has not had a good week, with both teams going down in defeat. The midweek team travelled to Heathmont to play a bottom-of-the-table clash on an excellent grass green. Despite putting up a good fight Junction was unable to upset the home team, losing all three rinks, two of them by a narrow margin. There is now a gap at the bottom of the ladder which may be difficult to bridge. Fortunately, they have a home game coming up next, unfortunately, it is against the ladder leader Ferntree Gully, so it will be a significant challenge.
The weekend team is fairly secure in second place and travelled to Mitcham to play the undefeated ladder leader on a hot day. The green was grass and some Junction players found it difficult. There is a reason why Mitcham is undefeated, it is a team of fine bowlers, and they demonstrated their strength with a comprehensive win against Junction. There is a likelihood the two teams will play again in the semi-finals in a few weeks time, and the challenge will be enormous, though it is not a foregone conclusion. Anyone can lose, and anyone can win. In the recent cricket World Cup India was undefeated but lost the final to a team with belief.
Barefoot Bowls continues to be very popular, at 6.30 every Friday evening. Preparations are underway for the President’s Day on Good Friday, and the club hopes to repeat last year’s success. Anyone wanting to try bowling is encouraged to visit the club, where equipment and coaching are available. Social bowls at 12.45 on Thursday is a good time.
