Deer Park has defied the odds all season in Bowls Victoria premier division.
The Lions can achieve the rare feat of a top-flight finals berth in a promotion year if they can hold on to fourth spot for two more weeks.
That will be easier said than done for the Lions, who will face premiership contender Melbourne at home this Saturday and then fifth-placed Essendon in the final round.
Lions president Neil Cromie reckons his club fears no one and can upset Melbourne to take a stranglehold on a finals berth.
“I think there’s some confidence there now,” he said. “After the big result of beating Altona a few weeks back, I don’t think anyone is invincible any more.
“We’ve beaten Altona here, so there’s no reason why we can’t beat Melbourne here.”
Deer Park has created a healthy gap between it and the rest of the finals chasers.
The Lions picked up 16 precious competition points in a comfortable 89-69 win over MCC on the road on Saturday. Not even the absence of star skip David Holt could stop the Lions from making it two wins in succession and three in four games.
“Another good result for us – a really good strong win,” Cromie said.
He said Holt would be unavailable again this week, but that would give other players a chance.
Brett Mahoney was Deer Park’s dominant skip, securing a 30-15 win.
Mahoney’s rink has gone from strength to strength all summer.
“He’s now in the state side and he’s playing exceptional bowls,” Cromie said.
“I think it’s just the sheer confidence the rest of the rink has got as well.
“They can beat anyone and that’s the way they’re playing.”
Robert Doody claimed a 25-20 win, while Shane Garvey enjoyed a double-your-score 22-11 triumph.
The only losing rink was that of caretaker skip Garry Ball, who went down 23-12.
Deer Park can just about clinch a finals berth with a win over Melbourne on home soil.
Cromie is imploring the side to make the most of their opportunity.
“The challenge at the start of the season was always going to be about history being against sides that come up staying up,” he said.
“We’ve more than shown that we can do that and now it’s an opportunity for us to play finals.
“It’s in our hands and if we keep winning then we don’t have to worry about any other result.”
