Dandenong Club entered the Bowls Premier League (BPL) in 2019 on a three year commitment with Bowls Australia to field a new franchise, the Melbourne Pulse in the country’s biggest national league.
Encouraged by strong performances in the Ultimate Bowls Championship (UBC) earlier in the year the club considered a further involvement at a national level to be a means by which Dandenong Club can further grow its standing in the bowls scene here in Melbourne.
The Pulse’s opening matches at Brisbane’s Pine Rivers were tough. It was immediately obvious that with the world’s best bowlers squeezed into just eight teams of three, winning this tournament was a monumental challenge.
Dandenong Club had retained the big Irishman Gary Kelly and Jackaroo Barrie Lester from its UBC team but requiring a female player, meant Comm Games Gold Medalist Wayne Turley was squeezed out. Five-time Australian female bowler of the year, Natasha Scott became the new Pulse signing.
The two set format of five ends is fast and dynamic. Dropping multiple shots is tough to recover from and attacking and defending Power Plays is a vital part of the tactical side of the competition
On greens that tend to change speed rapidly Pulse managed to squeeze into the final four that began with an elimination final victory over Perth Suns and ended in a narrow semi final loss to eventual winner Tweed Osperays.
The Pulse will be on show next in February 2020 at Moama from the 25th to the 28th. In more familiar territory it promises to be a great opportunity to go a step further in the finals.
There is plenty to do and see in and around Moama and Club members are encouraged to contemplate a few days away to support the team. It promises to be a Pulsating four days of play