Sport
Allan Matheson Shield | Tallygaroopna excited to embark on historic grand final weekend
For any local bowls club, having one team competing in the grand final is a fantastic achievement.
So, when Tallygaroopna’s division one and division three sides triumphed in preliminary finals last weekend, the club found itself in a rare position where all three of its teams would be battling it out on Goulburn Valley bowls’ biggest day.
Tallygaroopna Bowls Club president Dean Jones said he was incredibly proud of what everybody at the club had been able to produce this season.
“It is a pretty special feeling (to have all three sides in grand finals), we are only a small club out at Tally, so to have all of our teams in the decider is just unreal and we can’t wait for the weekend,” Jones said.
“It all comes back to the connection between our members, it is easy to say it, but we are just mates and always enjoy each other’s company while having a good time along the way, and I think that culture really breeds success.”
The Redlegs’ Allan Matheson Shield squad has been a constant contender throughout season 2021-22, bouncing back from its grand final defeat last year to finish second on the ladder and set up a rematch with Shepparton Golf.
Led by skip Mark Ryan, a slew of recruits added to what is quickly becoming a force in Goulburn Valley bowls, with Golf being the only team the side didn’t conquer throughout the season.
Jones said he had loved sitting back and watching the division one team strut its stuff, with the potential for a maiden Allan Matheson Shield title a salivating proposition.
“They have done a ripping job, we have just built on the last couple of years, and we just keep getting better which is really good. Someone who knows someone comes out and things like that, it makes us a successful club,” he said.
“If we were to win on Sunday it would just be humongous for the club, it has been a build of five years to get to this point, starting with 20 or so members to having over 60 now, it would mean heaps for us to get that reward as we continue to grow.”
The division one squad will be hoping to ride the momentum from a successful Saturday into its Sunday decider, as it heads along and supports compatriots in division three and division five.
After finishing third on the table, Tally peaked at the perfect time in division three, easily accounting for Golf in the first semi-final before getting over the top of Shepparton Park in a 16-100 to 2-91 nail-biter.
Meanwhile the Redlegs were dominant in division five, claiming the minor premiership before destroying Murchison 18-113 to 0-58 in the second semi to go straight into the grand final.
Jones said the success of all its teams this season spoke to the club’s incredible depth and strong culture.
“It says a lot (to have had such great success), for me it all comes down to the mateship, it doesn’t matter what division you play, you will always fit in, and everyone just enjoys their bowls,” he said.
“We have a great mix of people down at the club and to have three teams in the grand final, it shows we are definitely heading in the right direction.”
As Jones prepares for his biggest weekend as president of the club, he had this message to all the Tally bowlers set to take to the green.
“The club is hugely proud of what we have been able to achieve, and this is just the next step towards getting to where we want to be,” he said.
“No matter what happens this weekend we always will be proud, and we just want to make sure we get the three wins, because for the club that would just be awesome.”
The division two decider between Mooroopna and Shepparton Golf will be an opportunity for the former to exact revenge on the latter for last season’s grand final defeat.
The Cats got over the top of the Golfers in the qualifying final a fortnight ago, and will look to do the same again at Tatura on Saturday to book a ticket to division one action.
Allan Donaldson and Brett Gunning skipped rink wins for Mooroopna in the last clash against Golf, while Robbie Betson and Richard Warburton did the damage for the Golfers.
Tallygaroopna takes on Seymour in division three at Shepparton Park, with the Lions looking an imposing task to defeat.
Seymour is currently undefeated this campaign and warm favourite to continue that run.
Division four action has Seymour VRI tackling Nagambie at Euroa.
The Lakers were handed a lesson by VRI in the qualifying final, but bounced back strongly last week to rise into premiership contention once more.
The Redlegs face Mooroopna Golf at Shepparton Park in division five, while the division six north decider pits Kyabram against Colbinabbin at Tatura.
Eildon faces Alexandra in the division six south grand final at Euroa.