Tara Murray
It was a winning start for Club Sunbury in the Bowls Victorian weekend pennant, division 1, section 1 season on Saturday
With a new look side with more than 20 players joining the club in the off season, Club Sunbury put out a strong first up performance against the newly promoted Craigieburn.
Club Sunbury’s experience showed through as it won 99 (14)-78 (4) at home to get off to an ideal start to the season.
Mark Cowan’s rink came away with a 32-16 win, while Marc Bullows rink had a 30-16 win to set up the win. Ray Pretty, in his debut for the club, lost 19-18, while Lee Wesley’s rink lost 27-19.
Club Sunbury’s David Glennon said they were happy with how round one went for the top side.
“We had four people make their debut in that side,” he said. “Ray and his son Sebastian, William Hanna and Joshua Leszczynski.
“Josh was best on ground in Mark Cowan’s rink. He’s only 15 and has come over from Keilor and will be an absolute superstar.
“He had a really good game.”
Glennon said Sophie Kurzman, who was in Bullows’ rink, was the other standout on the day, while Cowan and Bullows also played well.
It was a mixed weekend for Club Sunbury, with three of its six sides getting wins to open the season. The division 3 side won by a massive 60 shots against Wallan, with Jeffrey Isbister’s rink winning by 25 shots and another two rinks having big wins.
Glennon said they were excited for this season. Sunbury’s top side missed finals last season.
“There are so many new faces,” he said. “We had four in the top side and the second side had another seven or eight debutants.
“There is the domino effect which is really good for the club. For the first time in three years we had a heavy recruiting drive and we got a lot of youngsters which is really good.
“It bodes well for the season.”
Club Sunbury’s top side will head to Armadale this Saturday for the first time ever with the change up of structure with the sections no longer decided on location. Glennon said they were excited by the new challenge.
Meanwhile in the Central Highlands Bowls Division play still went ahead despite flooding around several parts of the Macedon Ranges.
In division 1, Kyneton Golf had the better of Gisborne winning 62 (15)-47 (1).
Anthony Barker’s rink was the big winner, winning 24-11 against Peter Williams.
Barry Godbolt’s rink won 17-15, while Adrian Plowman and David Beardmore shared the points.
Lancefield won a low scoring affair against Broadford, winning 46 (12)-45 (4).
Jeffrey Holmes was the winning skip for Lancefield.
Romsey made it two from two with victory against Kyneton, winning 62 (14)-60 (2).
In the other match, Trentham defeated Kilmore, 51 (14)-48 (2). Trentham is the only other undefeated team.
