The Goulburn Valley Playing Area Allan Matheson Shield is back in action at last, and for many, it looked like they never missed a beat.
Of course, it’s not as if everybody sat on their hands for six weeks through the festive break, with the Byers Electric pairs tournament and last weekend’s Region Sides Championships serving as handy hit-outs for many.
That said, the top sides were in top gear as the weekend pennant got underway again, with a trio of huge wins plus one hotly contested affair between Tatura-Hill Top and Shepparton Park.
Shepparton Golf (9-1) played to expectations in eviscerating local rivals East Shepparton (0-10), taking everything available on the day in an 18-124 to 0-65 drubbing.
The only consolation in East’s struggles may have been not being the only side to put up a disappointing 0-65 showing as Euroa (3-7) collapsed under the imposing might of Tallygaroopna (8-2).
Image 1 of 10
Weighing it up: Tallygaroopna's Rodney Still. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 10
Settling in: Tallygaroopna's Russell Orchard. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 10
Steady as she goes: Euroa's Charmaine Reid. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 10
Here it comes: Euroa's Bill Sargood. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 10
In line: Euroa's William Jennings. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 10
Thinking about it: Euroa's Jim Perry. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 10
Down and away: Tallygaroopna's Brandon Baldwin. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 8 of 10
Bit of pace: Euroa's Tony Kingma. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 9 of 10
In the motion: Euroa's David Cerini. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 10 of 10
Winning hand: Tallygaroopna's Brett Wright. Photo by Rechelle ZammitGolf and Tallygaroopna crossed the 1000-shot barrier in round 10 action, and Kyabram (8-2) fell just eight short of joining the club.
That aside, Kyabram’s 16-123 to 2-92 win over Mooroopna (2-8) ensured no ground was lost in the table, which trumps all else.
The most intriguing affair was at Tatura Bowls Club, though, as Tatura-Hill Top (5-5) did just enough to take the points - and fourth place - off the hands of Shepparton Park (5-5).
The comeback 16-96 to 2-90 win, in a game highlighted by Scott Adams in our weekly preview as virtually win or go home, keeps all manner of hopes alive in a season marked by inconsistency.
It certainly didn’t come easily, either.
“We were down quite a lot, and at half-time it looked really bad because Paul Nichols was giving one of our rinks a belting,” Adams said.
“I had a chat to them at halftime, and I don’t usually get angry, but I used a few profanities and gave us a bit of a rev-up.
“Jason Carter’s rink might have been the comeback of the year, being down about 17-2 and getting over to win 25-22.
“We were two down overall with three ends to go, and my rink picked up a six so it was all over from there.
“To say (Park was) disappointed is an understatement, but it was a crazy game.”
Obviously, the implications were enormous at Tatura with the top three sides now mostly entrenched in their own fight for the chance to host home finals.
As far as locking in the all-important finals place, Adams’ side has regained control of its own destiny as Park crashes to its fourth straight defeat despite the commanding position it held.
Adams described the relieved yet exuberant mood at the clubhouse post-match.
“We all knew we could bowl well, and it wasn’t do-or-die, but it was very much feeling like that,” Adams said.
“We took it in our own hands, and now it’s up to us to keep going, keep plodding away and win those games.
“It was a big sigh of relief as we celebrated after the game, and everyone was just happy, everyone was excited and it was a good vibe.
“I’m a very happy man today.”