WILLIAMSTOWN is the surprise packet of the Bowls Victoria division 2 section 1 competition.
The Towners are entrenched in the top four after a 92-74 trouncing of lowly Hoppers on the road on Saturday.
Wayne Jones, a player in the No.1 side and one of the selectors, said his club had defied the odds to start the season so strongly.
The club faces a constant battle to keep hold of its top bowlers as cashed-up clubs from higher divisions plunder their stocks year after year. The last off-season was no different.
“To win anywhere is a big deal for us,” he said of the three rinks to one triumph. “We’ve been really struggling [for numbers].
“Anybody that’s any good leaves us and goes to those other clubs. They pay players, we don’t. We’re all voluntary.” Founded in 1880, Williamstown is one of the oldest lawn bowls clubs in the world, just 16 years younger than Australia’s oldest club, Melbourne.
The Towners will be out to continue their good form when they meet Werribee at home on Saturday.
BOWLS VICTORIA
Premier division: Altona 5-80 lt Brighton 13-88
Division 1: Elsternwick Club 3-79 Yarraville/Footscray 15-89; Footscray Park Rosamond 14-89 Eltham 4-77
Division 2: Hoppers 2-74 Williamstown 16-92
Division 3: Newport 16-67 Keilor 2 2-66; Altona Sports 18-92 Altona 3 0-65
Division 4: Port Melbourne 2 2-65 Laverton 16-91
Division 5: Altona North 16-96 Altona Sports 2 2-66
