Sunbury’s finals hopes will come down to the final round of Bowls Victoria’s Pennant division 1, section 1.
After Saturday, when Sunbury returned to the winners’ list, only one point separates fourth-placed Essendon (2) and fifth-placed Sunbury.
According to the club’s David Glennon, getting all 18 points against bottom side Preston-Reservoir is a must if Sunbury is to sneak into the top four.
A finals berth would be beyond pre-season expectations with Sunbury originally just looking to consolidate its spot in division 2 after off season promotion.
“Nothing short of 18 points is what we’re after,” Glennon said.
“We’ve only won one match for the season, so we’d be expecting to put in a really strong performance and play to the level we know we can.
“If results go our way we’re still a chance to finish second; that’s how close it is.”
Sunbury almost moved back into the top four with its win against Werribee on Saturday.
Sunbury won three of the four rinks to take an 88 (16)-60 (2) win. Mark Cowan’s rink won 25-18; Carla Krizanic’s rink won 21-16; and Wayne Long, who was deputising for Brad Willoughby, romped in 25-8. With Brad Janner’s rink losing on the final bowl 18-17, Sunbury was just one shot off the clean sweep.
Its top side is the only Sunbury team outside the top four heading into the season’s final round.
Glennon said the club had never had six sides make finals since it moved to the metro competition, but that was now possible.
Meanwhile, Lancefield will face Gisborne in the grand final of the Central Highlands Bowls Division’s division 1.
In Saturday’s preliminary final Lancefield turned the tables on last year’s premiers, Kyneton Golf with a comprehensive three rink win.
The rinks of Peter Linehan, Jeff Holmes and Mark Godbolt led the way in the 106-75 result.
Lancefield secretary Leanne Dickenson said they couldn’t have imagined a result like that.
“We’re quite proud of ourselves,” she said.
“We were a little bit worried going into the match as Kyneton Golf tend to play well in finals.
“We thought if there was going to be a result like that it would be them beating us by 30 shots.”
Lancefield will be hoping to do the same when it fronts up against Gisborne in the grand final. The two teams last played each other in the semi-final, which Gisborne won 95-90.
Dickenson said the side took confidence into the grand final despite the semi final loss.
“We’re still the underdogs. We always thought we were capable of making the grand final, but it was about pulling it together at the right time.”
Lancefield’s division 3 side is also through to the grand final, while its other side, a midweek side is still a chance of making the grand final too.
In division 2, Bacchus Marsh will face Diggers Rest in the grand final after a six-shot win against Kyneton. The teams split the rinks two apiece.
In division 3, Lancefield smashed Woodend 90-47 and will now face Macedon in the grand final.
Division 2 and 3 grand finals will be held on Saturday, with division 1 to be decided the following Saturday.
