ALTONA has shown the type of performance it’s capable of producing in the Bowls Victoria premier division with a 25-shot mauling of Moonee Ponds in a statement game at Civic Parade on Saturday.
The A’s had built one of the more fearsome combinations on paper in the off season, but when they sat on the bottom of the ladder without a win after two rounds, the tipsters were scratching their heads about the reasons.
A’s skip Brett Dodd is not one for knee-jerk reactions and he called for patience as the rebuilt side tried to mesh and the players became more familiar with their positions.
The A’s found some winning form in the third round, albeit in a close game over lowly Mentone.
The real scrutiny on this side would come against the powerful Ponds. The A’s thumped the visitors 87-61 with three of the four rinks up.
Brenton Coad took care of one of Australia’s best-known bowlers, Mark Jacobson, 30-14 in a one-sided duel. Brad Peck took the honours 21-14 over Brett Spurr, while David Zitter edged out Shane Fordham 21-19.
The closest contest was between Dodd and Adam Galloway, who split the score 15 apiece.
The A’s have squared the ledger at 2-2 and have a bit of that fear factor about them.
It would take a brave person to pick against them making it three in a row when Brighton arrives on their doorstep on Saturday.
BOWLS VICTORIA RESULTS
Premier division: Altona 17-87 Moonee Ponds 1-62
Division 1: Yarraville/Footscray 14-94 Bundoora RSL (2) 4-77; Footscray Park Rosamond 16-80 Elsternwick Club 2-65
Division 2: Williamstown 14-87 Yarraville/Footscray (2) 4-66
Division 3: Altona Sports 18-113 Newport 0-51
Division 4: Laverton 16-102 Footscray Park Rosamond (3) 2-59
Division 5: Werribee (6) 0-62 Altona North 18-99
