ROUND 1 of the MVPA weekend pennant bowls competition gets under way tomorrow, a highly anticipated grand final rematch being the highlight of the new season.
Racecourse will be out to make amends for last year’s heartbreaking grand final defeat when they host an understrength Murray Downs.
The reigning premiers will be without several of their premiership stars, including Josh Thornton, who will be competing over in Western Australia for the first few weeks of the season.
But while Murray Downs might be a touch light-on for personnel tomorrow, club chairperson Garry McCaig says he is still expecting his team to start their premiership defence off in strong fashion.
“They (Racecourse) will be pretty keen to make amends for last season, there’s no doubt about that,” McCaig said.
“We’ll have two or three out and a few guys will have to step up and play in the skipper positions, but we’ll still be very competitive.
“They wouldn’t want to take us lightly.
“We’ve got good depth right through our grades so we’re pretty confident we can cover our losses.”
While Murray Downs will still go in as favourites, Racecourse chairperson Norm Smith said he was hopeful of an early-season upset, especially after a strong lead-in to the new season from last year’s runners-up.
“Everyone’s keen,” Smith said.
“We’ve had good numbers at practice and I think everyone’s just looking forward to getting the season under way.
“We’d love to get one back on them (Murray Downs), especially at the start of the season.
“We think some of our younger bowlers will have improved a bit with another year under their belts.
“DJ Weaver has been training all year and won the state disability pairs with Josh.
“He’s playing really well.
“We’ll know where we’re at after Round 1.”
While the two top teams from last season will do battle in an early, season-defining match, so too will last year’s third and fourth finishers, Swan Hill and Lake Boga.
While the Swans will host tomorrow’s match, they face an uphill battle to retain their to- four spot after losing key bowlers Brian Mansbridge and Lyndon Shadbolt in the off-season.
The final match of the opening round will see last season’s bottom teams, Nyah District and Moulamein, lock horns at Nyah West.
