It was a contest that figured to go down to the wire — and the Goulburn Valley Playing Area Allan Matheson Shield deserved such a display.
That is precisely what we got in Saturday’s rescheduled pennant grand final as Tallygaroopna and Shepparton Golf engaged in a battle heated enough to match the day’s exorbitant thermometer readings.
With all GVPA deciders moved to a 9.30am start for that reason, it was up and at them as the Redlegs and Golfers locked horns for the fourth time in season 2023-24.
Tallygaroopna’s Mark Ryan and Golf’s Brett Gunning settled for a 21-21 draw in their rink, exemplifying neither side’s willingness to give an inch.
The floodgates appeared to open in the middle rinks, though, with Redleg Guy Madigan’s side claiming a vital 11-shot margin over John Gribble and crew.
Any joy this may have generated among Tallygaroopna faithful at Tatura Bowls Club quickly faded when the rink of Golf’s Brad Orr, the only team to crack 30 points on the day, stormed over the top of David Daws’ quartet.
The remaining Tallygaroopna four, led by Mitch Sidebottom, ultimately made a world of difference, prevailing 27-23 over Kristoffer Ferguson’s side to seal the premiership with a 15-100 to 3-97 win.
It would be easily the closest of these sides’ four battles this season and provided a contest worthy of the biggest stage.
In the end, though, Tallygaroopna’s title-winning streak of victories moves to 11, knocking over its closest adversaries thrice in that span.
Image 1 of 10
Going all out: Shepparton Golf's Kristoffer Ferguson. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 10
Precise placement: Tallygaroopna's Brian Hogg. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 10
Make it count: Shepparton Golf's Gary Russell. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 10
Staying in it: Shepparton Golf's Connor Trewren. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 10
Taking a chance: Tallygaroopna's Michael Hanna. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 10
Going long: Tallygaroopna's Brett Wright. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 10
This is it: Shepparton Golf's John Stokes. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 8 of 10
Work to do: Tallygaroopna's Kyle Pugh. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 9 of 10
Determined: Shepparton Golf's Bradley Robinson. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 10 of 10
Pulling out the win: Tallygaroopna's Mitchell Sidebottom. Photo by Rechelle ZammitNeedless to say Daws was thrilled and his side certainly had its fair share of celebration.
“It’s been a big 24 hours,” Daws said.
"It was a cracking game; all rinks had a good game. I don’t think ‘Orry’ could have bowled much better than he did.
“We were just lucky enough that (Guy) Madigan’s rink and Mitch’s rink had pretty good wins and that we were able to come away with the chocolates.
“It comes back to the culture at Tallygaroopna; it’s probably the reason our players have played so well this season.”
Now, with not only a pennant, but a hat-trick of wins over Golf to boot, could there be a changing of the guard in how observers view the Matheson Shield’s hierarchy in the long term?
Daws says not so fast.
“Golf will always be the yardstick because they have so many big-time players,” Daws said.
"Regardless of whether we beat them twice during the year, they came and gave the best showing they could.
“They’ll always be the benchmark.”
No doubt, celebrations have been plentiful at Tallygaroopna.
However, the feeling was soured slightly by Golf’s capture of the division two title at the Redlegs’ expense, splitting the spoils of the top two weekend titles.
That said, Daws and company only have so long before suiting up again — this time in a Goulburn Murray Bowls Region pennant playoff against Katandra West, a side Daws knows well, on Wednesday evening.
"We know a lot of those guys and we were talking to them on the phone at about 11pm last night congratulating them,” Daws said.
“Right now, we just couldn’t be happier. There were a lot of guys who openly shed tears.
“The emotion from everyone yesterday afternoon was bloody terrific and I wouldn’t trade it for any other feeling in the world.”