HISTORY will be made tonight when Swan Hill Bowling Club hosts Murray Downs for their very first contest under lights when their Division 1 teams clash as part of the penultimate round of the competition.
The Summertime Pools Annual Pennant Shield is set for its inaugural contest, and will be become a regular contest between the Swan Hill and Murray Downs Division 1 bowls teams.
This won’t be the first time that a bowls match has been played under lights in the region, however it is hoped that the contest will lead to further matches being played at night with bowls being traditionally played during the afternoon.
Clubs in Melbourne and Bendigo have been playing under lights for a number of years with great success, and with the recent installation of lights at the bowls club, club president Brian Richardson was excited about the event.
“We cannot wait for the event we think it is going to be a great spectacle and a really good way to promote bowls and get people here,” he said
“The games between Swan Hill and Murray Downs are always really exciting.”
The recent rivalry between the two clubs was one that was not to be pushed aside, with the clubs competing in last year’s grand final, with the then undefeated Murray Downs side going down to Swan Hill after the teams played three extra rinks after regulation.
Swan Hill coach Brian Mansbridge, who was previously at Murray Downs, said the event had been discussed for a while between him and Bowls Victoria country manager of north west Bowls Josh Thornton, but they weren’t able to get it off the ground as they were both playing for Murray Downs.
“Josh and I have been trying to put this together for a while and now that I have moved across to Swan Hill we have the capacity to put this together,” Mansbridge said.
“We are really looking forward to the night.”
Thornton was excited to see the initiative from the two clubs, with innovation needed to attract new players to the sport especially as the usual afternoon slot could sometimes be impacted by warmer conditions in summer.
“It’s great to see the area and two clubs showing some initiative and innovation by playing pennant at a different time,” Thornton said.
“As a sport, it is something that needs to happen more often and would like to see a scheduled night once a week during the warmer months.”
Summertime Pools have signed as sponsor of the event after they recently signed a sponsorship deal with the Swan Hill Bowls Club, with the money set to go towards replacing some of the aging chairs at the facility.
Managing director of Summertime Pools Rob Kruber was recently in Swan Hill to meet with representatives from the Swan Hills Bowls Club to discuss the exciting new partnership, with Kruber excited to be jumping on board.
“It is a great way for us to jump on board and help out such a fantastic local club they have a great facility here and we want to become a part of that,” he said.
“They have organised a great event and we are excited to be involved.”
Summertime Pools was recently purchased by Kruber about 18 months ago and their major manufacturer base was right here in Swan Hill, with Summertime Pools employing 30 locals with plans to expand that number this year.
The Summertime Pools Annual Pennant Shield will be held tonight at Swan Hills Bowls Club with the event to begin at 5.30pm, there will be a barbecue for those in attendance with the opportunity to have a bowl after the match ends.
DRAW FOR FRIDAY NIGHT
RINK 1, Brian Mansbridge, Brian Richardson, Brian Quaife, June Sibley v Josh Thornton, Mick Tempini, Mick Hollingworth, David Alderuccio.
RINK 2, Lyndon Shadbolt, Frank Jacka, Tuppy Lewis, Werner Meyer v Buck Lehman, John Alderuccio, Ken O’Bree, Garry McCaig.
RINK 3, Troy Mansbridge, Barrie Husson, Bill King, Vic Plumridge v John Caldwell, Chris Power, Neil Brown, Kevin Rowe.
