Tara Murray
Lancefield has defied all expectations as it claimed back-to-back premierships in the Central Highlands Bowls top division.
After breaking through last season after a couple of close calls in the last couple of years , Lancefield had a number of player departures.
Despite a different looking line-up, Lancefield managed to make finals and finish in fourth spot. After knocking off Romsey, by 24 shots and Gisborne by 20 shots, it set up a grand final match up against Kyneton Golf.
The result would be decided in the last couple of ends with Lancefield winning, 64 (13)-56 (3).
Lancefield’s Bill West said the result was a big upset in his books.
“Kyneton Golf is a pretty good side,” he said. “We were able to beat them three times, but we lost to a lot of the bottom sides.
“We lost eight players from last year’s premiership side and we battled to get two teams on the green.
“We made do with who we had, we had a lot of blokes like me, having to play in the top side.
“We knuckled down.”
West said his side was trailing for much of the match before some really good bowls got Lancefield back into the game.
Lancefield hit the front by two and when they claimed six shots in the third last end, they led by eight.
West said that is when they thought they might have had the win sealed up.
Jeffrey Holmes was the winning skip for Lancefield.
West said John Parks was the star across the finals series.
With the side finishing fourth, West said they were always going to be behind the eight ball to win the premiership.
He said they thought they could beat Romsey, but knew the tests were coming in the next two matches.
He said with the manner they had won the premiership, many at the club were saying it’s their greatest premiership.
“We lost eight players and we were fourth on the ladder,” he said. “A few guys who have been around the club for a long time, say it’s arguably our greatest win ever.
“We had no expectations. We went on and played and saw what happened.”
Lancefield will now play in the region finals.
The other two CHBD grand finals were also thrillers.
In division 2, Kyneton Golf beat Romsey 56 (12)-55 (4), while in division 3, Gisborne beat Diggers Rest, 74 (14)-67 (2).
