For the second week in a row, Lancefield division one bowlers have caused a major upset, this time eliminating Gisborne from the Highlands finals with a 20-shot victory.
Now the Tigers have to face up to the formidable Kyneton Golf combination in this Saturday’s Highlands grand final on the Kyneton green.
It promises to be a gala day at Kyneton, with the division 2 grand final between Kyneton Golf and Romsey, and the division 3 finale between Gisborne3 and Diggers Rest also being played there.
The roll-up for the division 3 match is at midday, the division 2 roll-up at 12.30pm, and the division 1 roll-up at 1.15pm.
Greens curator Craig Vincent has the Kyneton greens in great order, although he has no say in what the weather may do.
The Ballarat Highlands Region executive wish grand final participants all the best for Saturday, with regional director Gary Dickenson to welcome all teams as they line-up in a V-formation prior to their matches.
Umpires appointed for the grand finals are Mark Schaffer and John Coates.
The division one teams are expected to be as follows:
Kyneton Golf – J. McQualter, G. Gascoyne, S. Taylor, G. Edwards (s); R. Seymour, R. Turner, R. Wilkinson, A. Plowman (s); B. Plowman, G. Williamson, B. Godbolt, A. Barker (s).
Lancefield – G. Choate, K. Webb, D. Safstrom, B. Holmes (s); P. White, R. Turner, S. Climas, C. Jolly (s); B. West, H. Matthews, J. Parks, J. Holmes (s).
FAIRYTALE CONTINUES
For last season’s premiers Lancefield, reaching the grand final is something of an unlikely fairytale, after the club struggled to field two sides at the start of the season, with eight of last season’s division one premiership combination not playing at Tigerland for various reasons.
“There’s great team spirit, and this largely unchanged side has combined really well to not only reach the finals, but advance to the grand final,” enthusiastic club president Jeff Smith said.
Many had written the Tigers off as finals prospects after losing to down the ladder sides Diggers Rest, Broadford and Kilmore, all on synthetic greens, despite earlier beating Kyneton Golf (twice) Gisborne and Kyneton.
There’s something about playing on a good turf green, and Lancefield has won 10 of its 11 matches on grass.
An analysis shows that synthetic surface clubs such as Gisborne and Romsey may not be quite as consistent in ‘away’ matches.
Again, bowls is a very much ‘on the day’ sport.
In the preliminary final little separated Gisborne and Lancefield in the first half, but the Tigers went to the break leading 35-30 after Gisborne skipper Garry Candy played two spot-on drives, hit his target both times, yet dropped six shots when the jack pinballed around and ended up in unpredictable spots where the opposition had fortuitous wayward bowls.
Unflappable skipper Bev Holmes, with Gary Choate, Keith Webb and Dave Safstrom all contributing, kept the dangerous Ethan Higgins four in check, eventually winning by 11 shots.
It was only late in the match that the overall score blew out, and the Tigers finished with all fours up; Chris Jolly did a great job with his crew, and in-form Jeff Holmes also received good support with John Parks producing big bowls at the right time.
Gisborne may have not played up to expectations, but should again be a strong contender next season.
Kyneton Golf, a club with a great finals record, will be unfazed about grand final day, knowing winning form is good form. Despite a break since the 29-shot second semi-final victory over Gisborne.
The Graham Edwards rink has consistently produced big winning margins this season, and the Golf lineup overall has heaps of talent and experience to warrant being favourite on Saturday.
ROMSEY BOUNCES BACK
A strong second half saw Romsey’s division 2 side bounce back to defeat Woodend by 17 shots, with big wins to the Andrew Laing and John Beaumont rinks.
Romsey will hope to be able to produce this form against a strong Kyneton Golf lineup on Saturday.
In division 3, Diggers Rest had all fours up for a 16-shot margin against Macedon, and now take on Gisborne3 on Saturday.
REGION SIDE
Five Highlands players have been included in the region side.
Trish Odgers (Diggers Rest) is in the women’s side and Adrian Plowman and Barry Godbolt (both Kyneton Golf), Mark Smoljo (Kyneton) and Gary Choate (Lancefield) are in the men’s team.
Only bowlers who were available were considered for selection.
BOWLS SCORES
Highlands pennant preliminary finals scores from Saturday were:
DIV. 1: Lancefield 67 d Gisborne 47. B. Holmes 26 d E. Higgins 15, C. Jolly 20 d A. Higgins 17, J. Holmes 21 d G. Candy 15.
DIV. 2: Romsey 74 d Woodend 57. J. Beaumont 28 d N. Bickerdyke 15, A. Laing 24 d M. Dornau 12, S. Mayger 22 lost to S. Pickles 30.
DIV. 3: Diggers Rest 68 d Macedon 52. S. Crimmins 20 d S. Doran 19, E. Nolan 24 d L. Gent 16, F. Bonnici 24 d M. Keenan 17.
