Mullewa celebrates drought-breaking title as hard work off-field leads to on-field success

The bowls season may have come to an end but for Mullewa they will be celebrating until next season as they achieved just their second title in their history.

While Denison took the A-grade title back in March on the adjacent greens Mullewa took down Denison to claim the B-grade title for the fits time in their 60-plus-year history.

It’s their first title since their lone A-grade success in 1988 and for long-time member Craig Walker it is the culmination of years of hard work.

“It was a huge effort by everyone involved both on and off the field and it was an absolute joy for everyone in the club to bring home the bacon,” he said.

“Geraldton usually attracts the best players and it’s obviously where the majority live so the success of a country club at any level is fairly significant.”

Walker joined the club in 1990 and while the club may have struggled in its quest for pennants he said the club have always had strong foundations off the greens.

“While we are one of the smaller clubs in terms of numbers we all have a strong bond, a lot of players no longer live in Mullewa but they have a connection through family or friends and it keeps them coming back,” he said.

“We travel together on a bus out to Mullewa and the discipline among the group isn’t always strong, we always have a few laughs and perhaps enjoy ourselves a bit too much before the match has even started which may have contributed to some losses over the years,” he joked.

Walker said he believed that after finally breaking through another title would not be another 35 years away.

“Some of us can’t wait that long!”, he said.

“COVID could have decimated the club but people hung tough and now to get that success we are overjoyed.

“We always have aspirations of playing finals and we’re lucky our ranks have been topped up with a couple younger players and we’re hopeful of the next generation coming through.

“The guys are training basically every single week and its this dedication that keeps us together and will help us going forward.”