General News
19 November, 2020
Lakers move into top four
MORTLAKE selector Darren Grant knows the pressure levels will rise on his side after it moved to third on the Western District Bowls Division ladder.
MORTLAKE selector Darren Grant knows the pressure levels will rise on his side after it moved to third on the Western District Bowls Division ladder.
The Lakers defeated Dennington Jets 77-41 last Saturday to move into the top four and just percentage behind second-placed Timboon Gold.
Grant said Mortlake was pleased to be in the four but knew it needed to continue to play well to cement its position.
“There is definitely a different kind of pressure now to maintain that high level of play and keep our position in the four,” he said.
“I still expect the season to have highs and lows, it’s certainly not going to go all our way. But like I said last week, we’ve just got to try and win the games against the top teams.
“I still believe one of the most important factors for us is having harmony in our rinks.
“The guys get along with each other well in the rinks and are playing well within their groups.”
Grant was pleased with his side’s performance in the 36 shot win over the Jets.
All three rinks won, with Colin Goldsworthy comfortably defeating Gavin O’Leary 27-9, Shane Cashill winning easily over Glen McNaughton 23-11 and George Draffen beating James Barling 27-21.
“It was a really good, convincing win and a good confidence booster that game,” Grant said.
“Dennington has always been tough at Dennington so it was good to beat them convincingly in the end.
“Two rinks won well and George Draffen had a really hard fought win but it was a good even performance.”
The Lakers are now set to host perennial finalist City Red at Mortlake this Saturday.
Grant said his side would likely go in as underdogs given City’s strength over the years, but he is optimistic another strong performance will hold the Lakers in good stead.
“All we can do going into these games is try to play as well as we can,” he said.
“I think if we can play at a high level in our games we can beat these top teams especially at home because that takes City Red out of their comfort zone.
“It will be a good test.”