The weekend was not one to miss in the Goulburn Valley Playing Area Allan Matheson Shield.
The regular season’s second-last round had clashes between all four sides occupying finals places, but the undisputed headline act was at Kyabram Bowls Club.
The Bombers (10-3) welcomed Tallygaroopna (11-2) for a fiery affair of almost the highest possible stakes, knowing a win went a long way to the minor premiership, while defeat would leave one side vulnerable to Shepparton Golf (10-3).
In the end, it was a nail-biting affair worthy of the occasion.
David Daws’ rink serviced Tallygaroopna tremendously, registering one of the top-flight’s most lopsided individual scorelines this season.
Daws’ 37-12 rink win set the stage, but the Bombers battled back in the three other contests to create uncertainty.
Josh and David Cartwright held on for memorable rink victories, while Brent Reiner’s quartet top-scored for the Bombers on the day.
Kyabram would fall one shot short in heartbreaking fashion, though, as Tallygaroopna picked up its seventh straight win, 12-88 to 6-87.
Though the win was hardly comprehensive, Daws recognises the advantage brought about by his side’s winning effort.
“Kyabram came at us pretty hard and it was a pretty tight game,” Daws said.
“The boys just managed to get across the line after it was really close-fought in the last few ends.
“In any other scenario, if we’d had a rink (Daws’ rink) that won by that much, we’d have gotten across the line easier, but it’s a credit to the way Kyabram played.”
With East Shepparton awaiting next week, nothing is yet mathematically secured, so the eyes remain on the prize of a double chance.
“It’s one of those very difficult games,” Daws said.
“You should be confident going in, but they’re one of those dark horses, so we’ll need to treat it as any other game.
“That’s the way to secure a top two finish.”
Shepparton Golf would make no mistake in taking its opportunity to catch up and stay within potential touching distance of the top, accounting for Tatura-Hill Top (7-6) 15-107 to 3-90.
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Smiling all the while: Shepparton Golf's Ben Fletcher. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 10
Down range: Shepparton Golf's Wayne Dagger. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 10
All in his hands: Shepparton Golf's John Gribble. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 10
Backswing: Shepparton Golf's Kristoffer Ferguson. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 10
Beginning the approach: Tatura-Hill Top's Nicholas Boyd. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 10
Getting down: Tatura-Hill Top's John Attwood. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 10
Line it up: Tatura-Hill Top's Jeff McNaughton. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 8 of 10
On its way: Tatura-Hill Top's Seth Tziros. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 9 of 10
Light moment: Shepparton Golf's John Stokes. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 10 of 10
Airborne: Shepparton Golf's John Hallam. Photo by Rechelle ZammitThis game had the potential to impact the top and bottom halves of finals and the tied rink between Brett Gunning and Brendon Boyd exemplified its intensity.
The two sides traded big wins through the remaining three rinks and Golf outgunned its foes in the end, reducing the gap from second-placed Kyabram back to a single point.
Tatura-Hill Top’s loss was Shepparton Park’s (8-5) emphatic gain, with a 16-91 to 2-72 win away at Mooroopna (2-11) marking Park’s third straight victory to revive a faltering campaign.
Reserving perhaps the most sentimental result of the weekend for last, East Shepparton (1-12) finally broke through with two chances remaining to claim victory.
The long-awaited triumph, which looked like it might not arrive after a series of mid-season blowouts, came at the expense of Euroa (3-10) as Chris Johnson’s rink put up the highest East Shepparton score (32) since December 9 in the 14-103 to 4-97 triumph.