SWAN Hill have set up a rematch against Murray Downs in the Division 1 Weekend Pennant Bowls Grand Final in a repeat of last year’s game in which Swan Hill took the victory.
Swan Hill sensationally prevailed over a Murray Downs side which to that point had gone through the season undefeated, however it took extra ends after regulation to split the two sides.
Swan Hill’s victory over Racecourse on the weekend means the two teams will clash again in the deciding game, as Murray Downs will look to get revenge after last year’s defeat.
The last time these two sides met was early last month, as the sides clashed on a Friday Night under lights as Murray Downs took two rinks and won 10-2.
After defeating Moulamein in the semi-finals, Swan Hill overcame a slow start against Racecourse to end up winning two of three rinks and finishing on 10 points to Racecourse’s 2.
In Division 2, Murray Downs 2 defeated Balranald to set up a clash against Racecourse 2 in the grand final.
Murray Downs will be hoping for a change in fortune after going down to Racecourse just weeks ago in the semi-finals losing all three rinks and going down by 12 points.
Balranald’s impressive run came to end after entering the finals ranked fourth and overcoming Manangatang in the semi-finals to set up the clash against Murray Downs.
In the Division 3 battle between the two Murray Downs sides, it was Murray Downs 4 who took the victory over Murray Downs 3.
Their victory sets up a matchup against Racecourse 3 in the grand final, as the last match between the two sides was held all the way back in round 9.
It was Racecourse who took victory that day, as both teams took a rink each however Racecourse prevailed on points winning 8-2.
Murray Downs 4 were ranked fourth heading into the finals, taking an underdog win over Lake Boga in the semi-finals.
Their victory over Murray Downs 3 means that Murray Downs 3 are knocked out after two consecutive losses to Racecourse and then Murray Downs 4.
In Division 4, Murray Downs 5 claimed their grand final spot after defeating Racecourse 7 and set up a matchup against Racecourse 5.
Murray Downs took both rinks and took a 10 point victory over Racecourse 7, after defeating Racecourse 6 in the semi-finals.
If Murray Downs were to take out the Division 4 grand final, they would have swept all three Racecourse teams in the finals to do so.
Only one side has defeated Racecourse 5 this year, and that was Murray Downs in round 8, this matchup should be one to watch.
Murray Downs has teams in all grand finals and represents a successful year for the club across the board.
For Racecourse, they are also well represented, and have teams playing in three of the four grand finals.
Swan Hill’s preliminary final win has given them the opportunity to go back to back in Division 1, but also prevented a Racecourse and Murray Downs dominance across all four divisions.
WEEKEND PENNANT GRAND FINALS
Division 1 – Murray Downs 1 v Swan Hill 1
Division 2 – Racecourse 2 v Murray Downs 2
Division 3 – Racecourse 3 v Murray Downs 4
Division 4 – Racecourse 5 v Murray Downs 5
