Club Sunbury fell short in the top of the table clash in the Bowls Victoria weekend pennant division 1, section 1.
Having lost just one match for the season, Club Sunbury got the chance to test itself against the other standout side, Lilydale on Saturday.
It was a tough day on the road, with Lilydale winning 91 (16)-76 (2).
Marc Bullows’ rink was again the standout, winning 28-21. Ray Pretty’s rink lost 21-20, Mark Cowan’s rink lost 19-12 and Lee Wesley’s rink lost 20-16.
Club Sunbury’s David Glennon said it was always going to be a tough match heading to Lilydale.
“The two sides have swapped positions, now, Lilydale is now on top and Sunbury is second,” he said.
“It’s always a hard game at Lilydale on their green and they had some really good skips.. It would have been nice to pick up another two points and split the rinks instead of 1-3.”
Glennon said all of Bullows’ rink played well, while Sebastian Pretty, who changed rinks this week, was a standout in his father’s rink.
The loss has Club Sunbury with a 7-2 record at the halfway mark of the season.
Club Sunbury has 114 points, six points behind Lilydale. Blackburn is in third spot with 96 points.
Glennon said they were in a good position at this time of the year.
“We’re at the half way stage and there’s daylight between us in second and third,” he said.
“I’d say it’s a pass mark through the first half of the season. It all bodes well for the second half of the season, there’s a lot to look forward to.”
Club Sunbury has another good test this week, facing Craigieburn in the final match before the Christmas break.
Glennon said it would be a tough test, with the fourth placed Eagles undefeated at home on their synthetic green.”
Elsewhere on Saturday, Club Sunbury’s second side made it back-to-back 18-0 wins beating Wallan.
In the Central Highlands Bowls Division, there were plenty of thrillers in the top division, with four points the biggest margin in the four games.
Gisborne won only one rink, but was still able to claim the win against Kyneton Golf, 61 (12)-58 (4).
Graham Quaife was the winning skip for Gisborne, winning 27-16.
Lancefield did just enough to beat Braodford, 61 (14)-58 (2). Bev Holmes and Aaron Young were the winning skips for Lancefield.
Ladder leaders Romsey suffered an upset loss to Kyneton. Kyneton getting the win, 65 (14)-62 (2).
Anthony Mathison and Mark Smoljo were the winning skips for Kyneton, while Damien Ely was Romsey winning skip.
Trentham beat Kilmore in the other match, 65 (14)-62 (2).
Despite its loss, Romsey remains top of the ladder. It is 20 points clear of Lancefield with Gisborne a further 18 points back.
In division 2, Macedon, Diggers Rest and Broadford 2 got wins, while Kyneton Golf 2 and Woodend had a tie.
Trentham 2, Lancefield 2 and Macedon 2 were the winners in division 3.
