By Peter Brennan
The winter months at Yarra Junction Bowling Club were a tumultuous time, as the long awaited renovations finally got underway. What began as a plan to improve disabled access to the clubhouse grew exponentially, as the repairs to the roof resulted in the discovery of asbestos and a general overhaul of the entire clubhouse, with a new verandah, access ramps, toilet relocations, and sundry other improvements. Well done to the Council, the workers, the club members who participated in several working bees, and the committee members who contributed above and beyond.
As the Pennant season loomed the clubhouse was resplendent, and an open day was attended by sponsors, life members, and politicians, with the State and Federal representatives presenting awards to club champions and high achievers.
The first game of the weekend Pennant was due to be an away game at Eastwood Golf, but severe weather rendered their grass green unplayable. Thankfully the Junction green polished up nicely, and the match was relocated, which suited Junction very well. All four rinks went to Junction, and the season opened with an away win on the home deck, which cast a nice glow over the world.
The midweek season opened with a home game against Croydon and was a hard-fought match with many momentum shifts, with Junction running out overall winners. Winning is better than losing, and the season last year began with a string of narrow losses from which they never recovered. While sitting at the bottom of the ladder may be character-building, it is hardly enjoyable and it is far better to open the season with a win.
Croydon returned to Junction for the second game of the weekend season, albeit with a different team in a different division. The weather was warm and the match was tight early on, but Junction imposed themselves on the game over the course of the day, running out strong winners on all four rinks.
So both seasons have started strongly, with the test of away games still to come. Time will tell. Meanwhile, the club farewells those players not playing this year and welcomes the new ones who have joined.
