It may have taken an extraordinary piece of bowling by star talent Brad Orr, but Shepparton Golf booked its spot in yet another Allan Matheson Shield grand final on Saturday.
Orr was at his brilliant best in the dying stages of the semi-final at Tatura Bowls Club as he drew the shot to hand his side an incredible 14-92 to 4-89 triumph over Kyabram.
Respected by his peers and admired by his opposition, Orr added another highlight reel to his career as he broke Kyabram hearts in the Goulburn Valley Playing Area weekend pennant clash.
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On its way: Kyabram's Glenn Fields. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 10
Dagger through the heart: Shepparton Golf's Wayne Dagger. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 10
Line it up: Shepparton Golf's Alan Dove. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 10
On a roll: Kyabram's Jacob Cartwright. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 10
In the zone: Shepparton Golf's Kris Ferguson. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 10
On the mat: Shepparton Golf's Geoff Cobbledick. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 10
Let it fly: Shepparton Golf's Paul Trewren. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 8 of 10
Winding up: Kyabram's Sally Beach. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 9 of 10
Down low: Kyabram's Robert George. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 10 of 10
Focused: Shepparton Golf's Garry Russell. Photo by Rechelle ZammitGolf’s playing coach Brett Foley was full of praise for his side’s gun performer.
“We were two-up in the final end and Orry had the last bowl of the match. Ky had a couple of shots on us and it would have taken us to an extra end, but he found a way,” Foley said.
“It was a big bowl in a big moment. Guys like Brad they stand up in the big moments in big matches. He’s done it before and he did it again for us. He plays big when it counts.”
Kyabram’s vice-president Glenn Fields, who was Orr’s opposition skip, confessed it was a special moment from the Golf legend.
“In the last end they were two-up and we thought that we had done enough to force an extra end, but Brad came up with an incredible bowl,” Fields said.
“It was incredible. It looked a bit tight and it looked like it might not work, but he got it to work.
“We rode the highs and lows in a matter of minutes.”
Billed as a must-watch contest, the match lived up to all expectations.
Golf, after leading by almost 20 at the main break, found itself down by 11 in the second half of the match as Kyabram wrestled back momentum.
The Bombers’ David Cartwright (27-16) was on fire and showcased his skill in a big match, while teammate Brent Reiner (28-18) was classy in his first finals hit-out for Kyabram.
Foley’s rink held on 22-20 to ensure that the rink battles were shared.
Fields highlighted the positives his side was able to take away from the encounter.
“We were down by about 18-19 and then hit the front and got up by about eight I think which just shows our character. It really was one hell of a day,” he said.
On the other hand, Foley said there was still work to be done as his side chases a seventh title in eight seasons.
“We’re all rapt and happy to make another final, but we know that we still weren’t at our best,” Foley said.
“We got the job done and we’re stoked to be playing in another final ... we just have to be better for all 100 ends and not 50.”
Meanwhile, Shepparton Park began its off-season on Saturday night following its heavy 42-shot defeat to Tallygaroopna.
The Redlegs flexed their muscles in the elimination final at Stanhope and bullied their way through to a preliminary final contest against Kyabram.
Mark Ryan (37-15), David Daws (27-18) and Adrian Pantling (32-13) were emphatic against their opposition rinks as Tally looks to keep its premiership defence alive.
Park’s Paul Nichols flew the flag with an impressive 32-26 win over Mitch Sidebottom.