Sunbury’s dream run in Bowls Victoria Pennant division 1, section 1 has ended in the opening round of the finals.
In its first season back in division 1, Sunbury surprised many sides, including itself, on the way to a finals berth, sneaking into fourth spot.
With nothing to lose, Sunbury threw everything it had at minor premier Fitzroy Victoria on Saturday in its bid for a shock grand final berth.
Sunbury led for much of the day, but wasn’t able to hold on, eventually losing 76-73.
Brad Willoughby led the only winning rink for Sunbury, smashing its opposition 30-9. Mark Cowan’s rink lost 28-12 after dropping 15 shots in the last five ends, while Brad Janner’s rink lost 21-15 and Carla Krizanic’s rink went down 18-16.
Sunbury’s David Glennon said that while making finals was a bonus in light of pre-season expectations, to have gone so close to making the grand final and not get there was disappointing.
“It was a very tight game and we were in front for most of the day,” he said.
“It was a fantastic game on their green and it was only the last little bit they came over the top. It is a game that got away, but we would have taken just making finals at the start of the year.”
Glennon said they were hoping this year’s results would be a stepping stone for next year.
“Hopefully, we can get a few more recruits on board and make the team a bit stronger,” he said.
“This year we brought in the three Longs [Wayne, Mikayla and Paul] and they’re all in the top side, and Shane Trewarne also came in, and they’ve all settled in.”
Fitzroy Victoria will play Deer Park in the grand final. Deer Park also had a three shot semi-final victory, defeating Moonee Valley 75-72.
Meanwhile, Sunbury (3) was beaten in a division 4 grand final by Werribee (4).
Sunbury (5) lost a divison 7 grand final to Aberfeldie (4). Sunbury’s second and sixth teams were both knocked out in their semi-finals on Saturday.
The two Sunbury sides through to grand finals will be promoted next season, meaning the club will have teams in divisions 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7.
