Yarraville-Footscray had to overcome unique playing conditions to beat Brighton 105-87 in the Bowls Victoria men’s premier division at Dendy Park on Saturday.
While the rest of the league fretted about the weather, the Bulldogs didn’t have to worry about the heavens opening up with their game being played under the roof at an indoors venue.
An artificial surface provided a true green for the Bulldogs to produce their best bowls, but there was another challenge facing the visiting side that would not have been an issue at an outdoors venue.
“It got very steamy and humid in there today,” Bulldogs skip Wayne Roberts told Star Weekly.
“It’s locked up. There’s no ventilation as such, so it does get a bit hot.
“We’re lucky to play there at this time of the year instead of January or February because it would be like an oven. It’s a hard place to win at.”
So, while the Yarraville-Footscray players worked up a sweat on the greens on a day when the temperature reached what would normally be a comfortable 25 degrees, they were able to adjust to the conditions to pick up their third win in five games to start the season.
The venue has been a graveyard for away teams historically, but the Bulldogs had a will to win.
“It was a hard day at the office,” Roberts said. “Even though Brighton are struggling, it’s hard to beat them on the carpet down there, so I’m happy with that.”
On the green, it was Roberts’ rink turning up the heat, romping to a 32-11 win.
Chris Ball was in control all game, winning 33-23.
The big margins in the Bulldogs’ two victorious rinks were crucial due to losses suffered by Nathan Murray (28-21) and Jamie Pearce (25-16).
“We had two rinks in trouble,” Roberts said. “At one stage Brighton hit the front 53-51. My rink and Chris Ball were in control for most of the day and they sort of balanced out the overall score.
“We would’ve hoped for an extra rink up, but we’ll take 14 points every week.”
Yarraville-Footscray is hanging in with the front-runners in the league.
The Dogs are just one win behind joint ladder-leaders Altona, Mentone and Melbourne.
“We’re happy, we’re three out of five, so we’ll take that,” Roberts said. “It keeps us in the ballpark. If we play at our best, we’re going to be competitive against the big boys.”
Altona was upset 85-83 by Mentone at Grant Reserve. It was the A’s first loss of the season. The A’s picked up four points after rink wins to Brett Foley and Brad Peck.
All bowls divisions will take next weekend off with the Victorian Open taking place in Shepparton.
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