Tara Murray
Deer Park suffered its first loss of the Bowls Victoria weekend pennant premier division season on Saturday.
In its toughest challenge so far, the Parkers won just one rink in the 74 (16)-68 (2) loss to Clayton.
All four rinks were close ones, not decided until late in the piece.
Mark Casey was the winning skip for Deer Park, with his rink winning 18-14. The rink, which has been the same all season, is one of just four undefeated in the premier division.
Nathan Bush’s rink fell 19-17, while Aaron Teys suffered a second straight loss losing 25-19.
James Pearce, skipping for the first time this season, lost 16-14.
The Parkers slip from second to fourth with the loss. The test is even greater this week against top side Melbourne.
The top five teams are separated by seven points at this early stage of the season.
Meanwhile, in division 2, section 1, Keilor defeated Strathmore.
The two sides split the rinks, with Keilor claiming the overall victory 80 (14)-70 (4).
The win Keilor’s second moves it to fifth.
