Tara Murray
Kyneton Golf entered the Central Highlands Bowls Division finals quietly confident despite finishing fourth in division 1.
Last season’s runners-up managed to knock off Gisborne in the first round of finals, before beating minor premiers Romsey in the preliminary final.
It set up a rematch of last season’s grand final against Lancefield. There would be no repeat of last season’s result, with Golf winning 65 (16)-46 (0).
Golf president Toby Barker was one of two players in the team not to have played in a premiership,
“We had an up and down season,” he said. “We were still quietly confident we could win it.
“We thought we had the best side this year. We thought we had the best side last year, but didn’t win it.”
Barker said entering finals they believed that they had figured out their best combinations and had gelled at the right time.
He said the arrival of Peter Linehan from Lancefield this season had been important, while Adrian Plowman had bowled really strongly all season. Both were keys on grand final day.
On Saturday, scores were close for the first half before Golf managed to pick up some shots after the break.
They were able to extend that late to come away with the win.
Plowman’s rink won 23-12, Linehan’s won 23-18 and Barry Godbolt’s won 19-16 to give Golf the clean sweep.
It had been seven years since Golf last won a premiership.
“It’s really good and hopefully we can stay there [on top],” Barker said.
Diggers Rest 2 won the division 3 premiership.
Diggers Rest 2 beat Macedon 2, 58 (14)-51 (2).
The two teams top sides will play in the division 2 grand final this week, after Diggers Rest beat Romsey in the preliminary final.
