Hoppers Crossing returned to the greens with a bang in the Bowls Victoria division 2 on Saturday.
Winning three of the four rinks on a rain interrupted day, Hoppers mauled bottom-of-the-ladder Essendon 99-61 in their first game for the new year, consolidating their spot in the top two at the Hoppers Club with seven rounds to go before the finals.
Bill Russell’s rink was in scintillating form for Hoppers, running away with a 34-6 victory. Colin Ravenscroft had a 31-17 triumph, while Denis Hewitt survived a scare to win 19-18.
The only Hoppers rink that went down was that of Keith Vanderpoel, which lost 20-15.
Hoppers skip Russell was full of praise for his side after the big win.
“Even though it was Essendon, who are on the bottom of the ladder, this could have been a danger game, but we’re second on the ladder for a reason and we showed that by getting three rinks up,” he said.
Hoppers will face its biggest test so far this Saturday, travelling to ladder leader Altona Sports in what is shaping as a must-win for Hoppers if it plans to overtake the hosts on the ladder and challenge for the minor premiership.
In division 1, Werribee lost to Fitzroy Victoria 88-76 at home on Saturday.
Lance Jenkinson
