Deer Park Bowls Club could be a victim of its own success . . . with four Saturday pennant sides in the finals and on track for hosting rights in week one of the finals, their Ballarat Road home cannot accommodate all four at the same time.
Parkers president Ray ‘Bluey’ Franksen told the Weekly that Bowls Victoria had been asked to try to ensure all sides get the home final they have earned.
“We have two on top, one second and one third, so there’s a big chance of us having four home finals,” he said. “Unfortunately, we can only fit three sides in there.
“We’ve spoken to Bowls Victoria about playing a couple of Friday night games and there are other scenarios we’re discussing.”
Deer Park moved a step closer to the division 1 minor premiership without lifting a finger.
The Parkers maintained a 15-point buffer after Saturday’s blanket cancellation of all games on Saturday because of the heat.
Heading into this weekend’s penultimate round away trip to Kew Heights, Franksen is backing his side to be there at the pointy end of the season.
“Our expectations are pretty high,” he said. “I’ve been here 12 years and haven’t seen depth like it and bowlers who have been here 40 years haven’t seen anything like it.”
The Parkers have been superbly led by skips Neil ‘Taffy’ Smith, Mark Brunato, Adam Berry and Paul Dorgan. But Franksen is reluctant to single out individuals for the club’s success.
“It’s been an overall team effort,” he said. “We’ve had bowlers … this year who’ve never held a bowl in their hands and they’re getting games and doing their jobs.”
