Tara Murray
Club Sunbury returned to the winners list in the Bowls Victoria weekend pennant, division 1, section 1, but it wasn’t enough to get a top two spot.
Sunbury had been in the top two for most of the season, before losing its last two matches to slip to third heading into the final round on Saturday.
Sunbury needed a good win on Saturday and hope Flemington Kensington scored six less points than it did to finish second.
In the end, Sunbury claimed all 18 points against Altona 2, but Flemington Kensington did enough to stay in second, finishing one point clear.
Sunbury’s David Glennon said the 110 (18)-43 (0) win against Altona was much needed.
“Absolutely needed,” he said. “We just missed out on a chance to achieve a top two spot and double chance.
“The last two rounds were difficult on artificial surfaces. It was good to brush those results off.
“We made one or two chances and hopefully it’s onwards and upwards now.”
Lee Wesley’s rink won 30-11, Mark Cowan’s won 23-14, Marc Bullows’ rink won 35-7 and Paul Cullis’ rink won 22-11.
Glennon said Bullows and Sophie Kurzman, who was in Bullows’ rink were both standouts, as was Lee Wesley.
He said to have just missed out on a top two spot by that narrow margin was pretty unlucky.
Finals get underway on Saturday, with Sunbury to host Glenroy in a knockout semi final. Brunswick and Flemington Kensington will play the other semi final, with the winner straight through to the grand final.
The winner of Sunbury and Glenroy faces the loser of Brunswick and Flemington Kensington in a preliminary final on Sunday for the second spot in the grand final.
“It all starts again on the weekend,” Glennon said. “Everything before this game doesn’t mean anything.”
Sunbury has three weekend sides into finals, with its third and fifth side both making finals. On the other end, both its second side and fourth side have been relegated.
Glennon said they also had all their night pennant sides in finals, while several of their midweek sides are still in finals contention.
Meanwhile in the Ballarat Highlands Bowls Region, Highlands Saturday pennant, Gisborne, Kyneton Golf, Lancefield and Romsey had wins in division 1.
Romsey sits on top heading into the final round.
Kyneton Golf and Kyneton are still in a fight for second spot, with four points separating the two teams.
Kilmore sits in fourth spot, two points clear of Broadford and 11 points ahead of Lancefield.
