Club Sunbury managed to get the job down despite a late push from Melton in the Bowls Victoria weekend pennant, division 1, section 1 competition on Saturday.
Sunbury was at home against Melton in the second match after break, with the Mustangs containing a few former Sunbury players as part of its team.
Sunbury was in control all day and never seemed likely to drop the game, but the match ended with not much between the two teams. Sunbury came away an 80 (14)-75 (4) win.
Sunbury’s David Glennon said it was a good win for the team.
He said while the ladder doesn’t reflect it, Melton has a really good team that is hard to beat with some good players who fly down from interstate.
“It was pretty close in the end, five shots,” he said. “In all honesty, it should have been more.
“We were always in front and led by 15 to 20 shots three quarters for the way through.”
Lauchlin Davies’ rink had an 18-13 win, while Mark Cowan’s rink was the big winner for Sunbury, winning 28-19.
In the other two rinks, Marc Bullows’ rink lost 20-15, while Mark Armstrong’s rink lost 23-19.
Glennon said there were a number of standouts for Sunbury, including Armstrong and Davies, while Bailey Moffatt had a strong game as a lead.
The win keeps Sunbury in second place, where it remains 21 points clear of third placed Deer Park 2.
Sunbury sits 25 points behind runaway leader Glenroy, which seems set to claim the minor premiership.
With three rounds remaining, every game is vital in the run home for Sunbury as it aims for a top two spot.
None are bigger than this Saturday when it is on the road against Deer Park 2.
“They only lost to Glenroy by one shot,” he said. “They are a good side.
“It doesn’t get any easier for Sunbury. If we win it will basically guarantee second spot heading into finals and a home final.”
“It’s a huge game in the context of the season.”
It was a mixed weekend for Sunbury, with three sides coming away with wins and three sides suffering losses.
Glennon said five of its six teams are still in finals contention heading into the last few rounds.
