Bill West
Lancefield advanced straight into the Highlands division one pennant grand final with a hard-fought 10-shot semi-final victory over Romsey, and fourth-placed Kyneton Golf advanced to the preliminary final with a substantial victory against Gisborne.
This was the wrap up from Saturday’s semi-finals, played in fine condition apart from some very light drizzle well into the afternoon.
Romsey, beaten just once this season before succumbing to the Tigers, now have to regroup and front up to a confident Golf combination in the knockout preliminary final this Saturday.
At Golf on Saturday, Lancefield gained an early lead and never relinquished it, with all three rinks winning by narrow margins. There were plenty of quality bowls played to keep spectators interested.
Romsey was within striking distance for most of the 21 ends, but the Tigers edged out to a 13-shot lead with multiple numbers just before afternoon tea.
Redbacks’ coach Gary Templar was philosophical, admitting his side had to play more consistently across the board or it would be a straight-sets exit.
“Lancefield was the better side …. we’ve missed capitalising on the double chance. The Kyneton Golf green was in tremendous order, and we can reach the grand final if we produce our best,” Templar said.
“Sensational” was how Lancefield president Jeff Smith summed up the Tigers’ effort.
“We now have the chance to make it three premierships in a row and that’s what our aim is,” Smith said.
There’s no doubt the Tigers have a more formidable lineup than the one that shocked many by winning the flag from fourth place last season.
A vastly experienced Kyneton Golf lineup started favourite against Gisborne in the first semi-final played at Kyneton, and ended up winning by 20 shots.
The Brendan Plowman, Peter Cameron, Ray Wilkinson and Peter Linehan (s) combination was instrumental in Golf holding an 11-shot lead at the break; Adrian Plowman’s crew surged ahead in the latter stages, and Dave Wesney did well to stop Golf having a clean sweep.
Golf probably feel they have an edge over Romsey with the preliminary final being played on turf, but the Redbacks will be steeled for a huge effort.
Scores in semi-finals: Romsey 46 lost to Lancefield 56 – C. Austin 14 lost to B. Holmes 16, D. Ely 17 lost to A. Young 20, M. Brundell 15 lost to J. Holmes 20; Gisborne 49 lost to Kyneton Golf 69 –P. Williams 13 lost to P. Linehan 26, A. Higgins 17 lost to A. Plowman 27, D. Wesney 19 d B. Godbolt.
For the first time in many seasons, Kyneton does not have a team in the Saturday pennant finals.
TRENTHAM FIGHTBACK
An astonishing fightback by Trentham in the semi-final against Woodend highlighted division three on Saturday.
The afternoon tea break appeared to revive Trentham, with a surge of winning ends led by Damian Walsh’s four, and a recovery by Tim White.
Woodend could not regain the initiative, and Trentham kept their premiership prospects alive despite struggling to field a full side. Ken Johnson (Lancefield) played as a substitute.
Trentham 59 d Woodend 53 – D. Walsh 31 d A. Lennie 10, T. White 13 lost to T. Sturt 24, M. Hinneberg 15 lost to A. Jewell 19.
In the second semi-final ladder leader Diggers Rest had 17 shots to spare over Macedon.
Diggers Rest 44 d Diggers Rest 61 – A. Iceley 23 d M. Cameron 12, P. Robinson 25 d A. Grant 13, P. Marriner 13 lost to L. Gent 19.
The preliminary final will now be played between Macedon and Trentham.
