THE lights were on, and so were the Murray Downs Bowls Club bowlers as they convincingly beat Swan Hill on Friday night.
Playing in what is now their annual night-time contest for the Summertime Pools Shield, Murray Downs overcame their rivals 93 shots to 54.
The lights shining on the greens attracted a good crowd of spectators (as well as mosquitoes), showing night bowls has a place in the future of the Murray Valley Bowls Division.
Murray Downs star Josh Thornton and his team of Mick Tempini, Michael Hollingworth and Matt O’Bree were superb, winning their rink 48-9.
With the other two rinks ending up equal on points combined, Thornton’s team made the difference for Murray Downs.
It wasn’t all bad news for Swan Hill, with Lyndon Shadbolt’s team winning their rink by eight shots.
However, that victory was cancelled out by John Caldwell, Peter Brook, Raymond Wilson and Chris Power, who won rink one, also by eight shots.
The victory ensured Murray Downs took out the Summertime Pools Shield after their win against Swan Hill earlier in the season.
The shield will be presented at the clubs’ final match of the regular season in February, which will also be an evening contest.
Murray Downs are two wins clear on top of the ladder, albeit with a game in hand on Lake Boga and Racecourse.
Swan Hill was left teetering in fourth spot heading into the Christmas break, although they seem to do their best work as finals draw closer.
In the other Murray Valley contest at the weekend, Lake Boga jumped to second on the ladder after their 83-46 win away at Nyah District Bowls Club.
Lake Boga won two of the three rinks, with Ken Hamill and his team of Gregory Clifford, Wayne Wright and Daniel Kelly easily handling their rink 38-11.
The Moulamein v Racecourse match was cancelled due to the flooding situation.
