Gallery | Final outings of the year produce some ripping results in Allan Matheson Shield

And if there was any occasion that warranted, this was it.

Tatura-Hill Top rallied to record a last ditch draw with Allan Matheson Shield power Shepparton Golf on Saturday, snatching a stalemate result from the jaws of defeat as the game essentially came down to the last end.

Coach Scott Adams spoke about his side’s ability to turn it on against Golf, noting Tatura-Hill Top is well matched against one of the competition’s front runners.

“We knew we were close; the last time we played them it came down to the last end and I did stipulate that before the game,” Adams said.

“I said ‘we know we can come close to these guys, if we push hard enough anything can happen’ and it’s exactly what we did again.

“It’s not over until the fat lady sings. We always say that; we’ve just got to get level-headed, calm down, get bowls in the head.

“In the past, Tatura-Hill Top has struggled against Golf and that is what I said — this is where we’re heading, all we need is a couple more players next year to recruit and we’re right up with them.”

The game may have fininshed in a 9-77 to 9-77 deadlock, but at the start, it was far from rosy for Tatura-Hill Top.

Adams conceded his own rink was “nine shots to zip” after three ends and the lid was off on the panic button.

But as he stated pre-game, the Bulldogs kept on pushing. Hard.

Adams’ four swung it back to net a one-shot victory over Brent Reiner’s rink, while Jarryd Tinning’s foursome landed a 19-10 victory over Colin Power.

Tinning received top marks from his coach, with Adams praising the former Tongala gun for his season-long finesse on a day that required steely focus.

“Jarryd Tinning, since we’ve recruited him he’s performed awesomely,” he said.

“He’s a really handy asset; we need a couple more of him and we’ll be right.”

The even sharing of the points leaves Golf in second, while Tatura-Hill Top holds post in fourth.

But with a stern assignment in Tallygaroopna looming in the first game of the new year, Adams needs his charges to be all fire and brimstone when bowls returns in 2025.

“First round back we’ve got Tallygaroopna; they’re the pinnacle of the GV sides at the moment,” Adams said.

“They’re the ones you want to be, they’re the ones you want to beat.

“Maximum points, if we can get a couple of rinks off them, if we can win, even better. Every point counts at this stage of the year.

“After Tally we’ve got Shepp Park — basically if we can’t get over Tally, we’ve got to win every other game for the rest of the year.”

In other games, Tallygaroopna made light work of Shepparton Park in its last outing for 2024, winning on home greens 16-92 to 2-63.

The Redlegs’ buffer at the top of the tree extends to 32 points — an almost unassailable margin — but the hunt for a top four spot is still well and truly alive for Kyabram.

On the road, the Bombers overcame Euroa 16-86 to 2-78 to move within six points of Tatura-Hill Top and set up a salivating fixture against Shepparton Park on January 18.

Meanwhile, East Shepparton’s finals hopes were dealt a crushing blow as it bowed out to Mooroopna 16-90 to 2-69.