Bacchus Marsh has shoved aside Kyneton for the final spot in Central Highlands Bowls Division’s division 1 top four.
Kyneton entered Saturday’s final round with a four-point lead on Bacchus Marsh, with both sides facing confirmed finalists Gisborne and Kyneton Golf.
Ladder leader Gisborne dismantled Kyneton, winning by a massive 55 shots, 119 (16)-64 (2).
Matthew Bacon’s rink had the biggest win of the day, 41-13.
The result meant Kyneton needed a Bacchus Marsh loss or a win by three or fewer shots against Kyneton Golf.
Golf was looking for a win to seal second spot on the ladder. Coming off a win against second-placed Lancefield, Golf crashed, conceding all four rinks.
Adding salt to the wound was the way it happened, with Bacchus Marsh winning 112 (18)-68 (0). Its form had the side jumping to fourth on the ladder, 12 points ahead of Kyneton.
Lancefield secured second spot with one of the biggest wins of the season. Coming off two losses, Lancefield smashed Woodend, 150 (16)-55 (2).
Romsey took home the points in the other match of the final round, beating Trentham 92 (14)-84 (4).
Meanwhile, in Bowls Victoria Pennant division 1, section 1, Sunbury is back with the pack after a second straight loss.
Having taken it up to top side Fitzroy Victoria in the previous round, Sunbury lost a thriller to fellow finals hopeful Essendon (2).
Sunbury had the best of the rinks, winning two and splitting a third, but lost overall 88 (13)-85 (5). Sunbury’s David Glennon said the side had held an early lead before Essendon responded late to run over the top of them.
Regular skippers Brad Janner and Mark Cowan won their rinks, while Wayne Long, in his first time skipping in Sunbury’s top team, drew 22-all. Shane Trewarne skippered the losing rink.
Sunbury sits fourth on the ladder, but only 15 points separate the side from seventh. It doesn’t get easier for Sunbury, now facing second-placed Deer Park.
Glennon said the aim was to ensure they at least came away with some points from the match. Sunbury finishes the season with very winnable games against Werribee and Preston-Reservoir.
