Tara Murray
A Deer Park fightback kept alive the club’s Bowls Victoria weekend pennant, premier division championship hopes.
The Parkers had to dig deep against Melbourne in its semi final, before coming away with a 78 (18)-54 (0) win on Saturday to seal a grand final spot.
Parkers head of bowls operations and player Mark Casey said it turned out to be an interesting game.
“Melbourne jumped us early and got out to an 18 shot lead, so for us to fight back and end up winning comfortably was extremely pleasing,” he said.
“It gives us a lot of confidence, knowing that we can come back from having the momentum against us.
“It’s something that we have worked on this year so to see it happen in a big final against Melbourne was incredible.”
Casey said it was the best team performance that they had played all season with each player playing their role.
He highlighted their youngest player Koby Cromie, who is just 15, and Queensland marquee player Sean Ingham as the two standouts.
The Parkers are set to face Clayton in the grand final on Sunday.
Clayton knocked off Melbourne, which had been the team to beat all season, in the preliminary final, 76 (14)-74 (4) on Sunday.
Casey said they weren’t surprised that Clayton had won its way through.
“I think many would have thought we would be going up against Melbourne, but we aren’t surprised,” he said.
“Clayton were very good against Bundoora on Saturday so they would have gone into their game against Melbourne with some confidence.
“They are a great side, led by their New Zealand representative Ali Forsyth. He is no doubt their key player so whoever comes up against him needs to be very careful.”
While having beaten Clayton twice during the season, Casey knows they can’t let their foot off the pedal as they seek to go one step better than last season.
“We have beaten Clayton twice this year, however in the back of our minds we know they beat us last year, so we know it will be a challenge,” he said.
“During all our team meetings, we only ever talk and focus on us and what we can control.
“This week will be no different, in terms of what we are expecting, we will be preparing to play a very good side in Clayton in what is a huge game for our club.”
