Tara Murray
Arguably the world’s greatest bowler will be on the green for Club Sunbury this Sunday.
Scot Alex Marshall will be part of Club Sunbury’s Bowls Victorian weekend pennant, division 1, section 1 team on Sunday against Ivanhoe.
Marshall needs no introduction to Australia, having been a regular visitor and playing in most of the major events in Australia such as the Bowls Premier League Ultimate Bowls Championship and other national events for many years.
Marshall has won 21 world titles, is a gold medallist on five occasions at Commonwealth Games level and is Scotland’s most decorated athlete in Commonwealth Games history.and calls Australia his second home.
Marshall told Star Weekly last year that playing in Australia had kept him wanting to continue to play bowls.
“I love the fierce competition,” he said.
“You always have a good game and there’s a good standard of competition and there isn’t that drop off.
“It’s always really high and if you don’t play well, you don’t win.
“I have to be at the top of my game. The competition in Australia has helped me a lot and the competition in Australia has helped me keep going and playing at the highest level.”
Club Sunbury’s bowls director Marc Bullows said it was an opportunity of a lifetime to have one of the legends of the game joining them to share his knowledge and skills on the green.
Meanwhile on Saturday, Club Sunbury suffered its first loss of the season, losing to Blackburn 89 (16)-83 (2) on the road.
Marc Bullows rink was the only winning rink for Club Sunbury, winning 24-14.
Mark Cowan’s rink lost 27-20, Ray Pretty’s rink lost 25-19 and Lee Welsey’s rink lost 23-20,
Club Sunbury’s David Glennon said it wasn’t the easiest conditions to play in.
“It was very difficult conditions to play in,” he said. “There was the synethic green and a wind there as well.
“Sunbury led at the interval, but that got pegged back and we ended up losing by six shots.”
Sophie Kurzman, who is in Marc Bullows rink, and Bullows were the two standards in the loss.
Despite the loss, Club Sunbury remains on top of the table, one point ahead of Blackburn after seven six rounds.
Glennon said they were still very happy with the position they are in at this point of the season.
It’s a double header this weekend, with both of Club Sunbury’s matches at home.
On Saturday, Club Sunbury faces Middle Park, while it faces Ivanhoe on Sunday.