Tara Murray
Deer Park has plenty of work to do in the next month if it’s to lock up a top two spot in the Bowls Victoria weekend pennant premier division.
After a slow start to the season losing three of their first four games, the Parkers haven’t lost a game since heading into Saturday’s game against Fitzroy Victoria.
They were sitting in second spot, 14 points behind Melbourne heading into the latest match. Bundoora RSL was right on the Parkers heels, one point behind them in third spot.
Parkers’ head of bowls Mark Casey said they had worked hard to get the right combinations in place and it had paid off.
“The main reason for the turnaround I feel is getting the combinations right,” he said.
“We have welcomed some new players into the club so it can take some time to get things right.
“We have had a couple of slight changes, but mostly it’s just been some combination switches.
“We are lucky we have so many players who can play multiple positions so it was just a matter of working out what works for the team.
“We are really happy with the way we are travelling at the moment though, so hopefully we can continue that through to the finals.”
The Parkers biggest test in recent rounds was the week before the Christmas break, when they played Melbourne.
The two teams couldn’t be split and had to share the points.
Casey said it was a good test to see where the side is at.
“To be honest, we probably feel like we let that one slip,” he said.
“However, Melbourne are a super side so walking around with nine points each was probably the right result.
“We know we will be playing them again in finals if we are to win it this year so we will need to step it up to another level.”
Casey said while happy with where they were sitting there was still a lot of work to be done to ensure they can finish as high as they can.
Bundoora claimed the points against Fitzroy, winning 81 (16)-67 (2).
Across the board, Casey said all the club’s sides were going brilliantly.
“It’s been a challenge with player availability but to the players credit they have always stepped up to the mark and have done a great job,” he said.
“Every division has a chance of playing finals so that’s an incredible effort so far.
“Our goal at the start of the year was for three out six teams to play finals and at the moment we are where we need to be.”
