Club Sunbury finally got a long awaited Bowls Victoria weekend pennant, division 1, section 1 premiership and then claimed promotion the following day.
Having made finals in division 1 every season but one since winning a division 2 title in 2014-15, the ultimate success had gone begging for Sunbury.
The group made its first grand final last season and on Saturday, showed complete dominance to claim the premiership against Whittlesea.
Having already accounted for Whittlesea once in the finals, Sunbury produced an even more emphatic performance, winning 85 (16)-52 (2)
Sunbury’s David Glennon said it was a pretty special day for the club.
“It was a fantastic win and very similar to the first game,” he said.
“We didn’t complete the game and it was more empathic.
“Instead of not finishing the last two ends, it ended with about four ends to go as they could not catch us.
“It was a fantastic win.”
Sunbury had to make some changes in the lead up to the grand final.
Des Cann Jnr, who had been a standout in the back part of the season, was unavailable due to Queensland bowls commitments.
Sunbury moved Carla Krizanic to skip for the grand final, using the former Australian representative’s experience perfectly.
Elise Cowan, a former state representative, came into the side due to absences.
“We have strengthened our depth this season,” Glennon said.
“We’ve got players who are capable and it’s good to be able to turn to people in an hour of need.”
Marc Bullows’ rink was the standout on the day, winning 29-8.
Glennon said all four players played well but it was Bullows’ who was the standout across the board in the win.
“He was fully focused,” he said. “He turned so many heads around with his rink.”
Krizanic’s rink won 23-15 with Dean Elliott the standout in that rink, while Mark Armstrong’s rink won 17-12.
Armstrong was the best bowler in that rink.
In the other rink, Lee Wesley’s rink lost 17-16.
While Sunbury finally got that premiership it was after, the job wasn’t finished.
Sunbury needs to win one divisional final to earn promotion with only two division 1 side to earn promotion into the premier reserve competition.
Sunbury ticked that box, beating Mentone, 86 (18)-9 (0) on Sunday.
Armstrong’s rink won 26-12, while Lee Wesley’s rink won 19-11 and Bullows’ rink won 21-17.
Cann Jnr, who flew down on Sunday morning, led his rink to a 19-11 win.
The side will now face Mill Park this Saturday in the division 1 divisional final with the title of the top division 1 team on the line.
Sunbury’s other two sides that were in grand finals on Saturday lost but had already sealed promotion.
Glennon said promotion had been the main goal and anything else was a bonus.
