Kyabram's Brad McIntosh assesses what lies ahead.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
It all comes down to grand final day in the region’s top weekend division — and it’s a familiar combination of sides set to duke it out.
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Saturday’s preliminary final — held at Shepparton Golf Bowling Club, home of the side which earned the luxury of skipping this encounter by winning the major semi — presented one last opportunity for Mal Williams’ Kyabram side to continue its impressive run.
The Bombers fell, though, and fell hard.
Kyabram's Mary Greco sends her bowl down.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
The Goulburn Valley Playing Area Allan Matheson Shield was perhaps always favouring a Shepparton Golf-Tallygaroopna grand final on paper, but we had already seen a boilover or two in this finals series.
As highlighted in the preliminary final preview last week in The News, Tallygaroopna had been unable to complete a rink sweep on its western foes and, for this reason, Saturday was up for grabs.
Clearly taking that kind of talk personally, the reigning premier set about removing any doubt of its credentials — and did so swiftly and emphatically.
Kyabram's Chris Priestley has a look at the scene which awaits him.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
The quartet skipped by Chris Cooney made ideal headway, holding off Noel Reddrop’s group for a seven-shot win.
It was a high-scoring affair in the second rink as David Daws and Robert George led their respective fours, but Tallygaroopna’s premiership coach was able to further his side’s edge to the tune of four shots.
Steam really picked up in Guy Madigan’s rink, though, as his side put Williams’ foursome to the sword in a huge 25-11 result that put proceedings all but beyond doubt.
Mitch Sidebottom took control of the final set of ends and, doing exactly what Tallygaroopna had been unable to do against a plucky Bombers side in the home and away season, completed the sweep as the Redlegs powerfully punched their grand final ticket in an 18-96 to 0-64 rout.
Kyabram's Noel Reddrop was doing his best to keep his side in it.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
As a result, it will once again be the top two outfits colliding for the top prize in the Goulburn Valley region, though the road didn’t come without its share of scares.
Golf will seek to repeat the feat which saw Kris Ferguson and co skip this weekend’s action by upending the Tally train once more.
The rewards by no means end at lifting the Matheson Shield, though, with the league title propelling a winning outfit on to region playoffs against the Murray Playing Area pennant champion with the opportunity for state and national playoffs to come.
Grand finals, March 8
Division one: Shepparton Golf v Tallygaroopna, at Euroa.
Division two: Shepparton Golf v Seymour VRI, at Euroa.
Division three: Mooroopna v Shepparton Park, at Hill Top.
Division four: Alexandra v Euroa, at Hill Top.
Division five: Yea v Kyabram, at Shepparton Park.
Division six: Nagambie v Violet Town, at Shepparton Park.
Division seven: Kyabram v Rushworth, at Shepparton Park.
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