Sunbury Bowling Club just keeps on winning in division 2, section 2 of Bowls Victoria.
The ladder leader and perennial finalist sits nine points clear on top of the ladder with only four rounds remaining.
But they were made to battle all the way before beating Broadmeadows 76 (14) – 69 (4) on Saturday.
Elise Cowan won 23-16 on her return to the side after missing the previous two matches because of work commitments.
Brad Willoughby won 22-16, Mark Cowan suffered a rare loss, losing 18-16, while Brad Janner’s rink lost 19-15.
Sunbury’s Dave Glennon said it was good to get a win against a side which had traditionally provided close matches.
He said the club was starting to turn its eye to finals and was working on who would be in each team.
In what was seen as a surprise move, Carla Krizanic (nee Odgers) didn’t skip and instead was lead in Willoughby’s rink.
Willoughby has been in great form since returning to the club full-time midway through the season.
“Carla will be unavailable come finals because she will be playing in the Trans-Tasman event,” Glennon said.
“She’ll be playing in the lead position for Australia, so we thought it was good to give her practice in that role.
“It’s certainly a double-edge sword having a player of Carla’s calibre.
“She’ll end up being available for more than half the season, which is a bonus, and so far the rink she’s been in hasn’t lost this year.”
Krizanic will be available for the last four rounds of the regular season.
Sunbury can further cement a top-two finish with victory over third-placed West Coburg this week.
“It will be hard playing them on their carpet green,” Glennon said. “They’re tough to beat at home.”
Meanwhile, Gisborne sits on top of the ladder in all three divisions in the Central Highlands Bowls Division.
In division 1, Gisborne beat Romsey 91 (14)- 86 (4), Kyneton Golf Gold had a shock 100 (14)-92(4) loss to Bacchus Marsh, Woodend beat Kyneton 101 (13)-89 (5) and Lancefield smashed Kyneton Golf Blue 135 (17)-65 (1).
The results mean Gisborne extends its lead over Kyneton Golf Gold at the top of the ladder to 13 points, with Lancefield a further three points behind.
