Deer Park has plenty of improvement left in its group as the pointy end of the Bowls Victoria weekend pennant premier division season returns.
The Parkers were sitting second at the Christmas break and only one point behind ladder Moonee Valley.
Speaking before the Parkers resumed their season on Friday night, head of bowls operations Mark Casey said it had been an up and down season.
“We’re really pleased to be in second place on the ladder at this stage of the season after an indifferent start to the year,” he said.
“We have had some excellent performances, however we’ve struggled as a team too often for our liking so to be only one point from top spot is a good outcome considering.”
Casey said the group had confidence that when they played their best they were still a really hard team to beat with some of the best players in the competition.
He said it was a matter of putting that together each week.
“That always gives our team confidence heading into any game, but there is still room for improvement which is something we will be striving for,” he said.
“With only four games remaining before finals, after a lengthy break it’s vital that we get the momentum going our way right from the next round against Altona.
“Every game this year is a challenge, but we are looking forward to raising the bar leading into another finals campaign.”
The Parkers face Altona on Friday night.
Altona was in fifth spot at the break and needs to keep winning to play finals.
Casey said overall things were tracking well for the club.
“Overall, the club is having a good year,” he said.
“Our division 1 side has been exceptional once again, competing against other clubs first teams, it’s been incredible to see us being more than competitive.
“A number of our divisions gained promotion last year so the standard has risen which our players have enjoyed the weekly challenge.
“We’re excited to have a chance of having several teams feature in another finals series in a few weeks time.”
Off the green things were also going well for the Parkers.
The club’s state-of-the-art redevelopment of its bowls facility is set to be completed in the next couple of months.
The facility had to be rebuilt after storms destroyed it in 2021. It had been built in 2018 and at the time was the envy of many clubs.
“It will feature two carpet greens undercover, which will provide our members and the local bowling community with some of the best facilities in the world,” Casey said.
“The works are due to be completed in April, just in time for the club to host the National RSL Championships.”
