MURRAY Downs president Garry McCaig hopes that skippers Josh Thornton, Buck Lehmann and John Caldwell will lead the way to the Division 1 Weekend Pennant Premiership this weekend.
If they do, it will be third time lucky as the side has gone down to Swan Hill in the past two grand finals and both matches have needed to head to extra ends to split the two sides.
The past three years have been a dominant period for Murray Downs, except in the game that really matters and they hope to right the wrongs of the past few years this Saturday.
“We haven’t been that far away the last couple of years,” McCaig said.
“If we bowl well, we should win.”
Consistency will be the key to Murray Downs winning this weekend, as few changes have been made to their side throughout the year and has resulted in another year where they have gone undefeated, for now.
“Everybody is playing to the best of their ability,” McCaig said.
“Everybody is ready to go and avenge last year’s defeat.”
Murray Downs players won’t have to look far for support as the club also has teams playing in the Division 2, Division 3 and Division 4 grand finals.
“It has been a great effort by the club again,” McCaig said.
“Hopefully we can have some success on Saturday.”
It was only three years ago that Murray Downs had a clean sweep of all four grand finals, and the chance is there for them to repeat the feat come Saturday.
Their Division 2 team comes up against a strong Racecourse side and both teams have been a cut above the rest and deserve their spot in the grand final.
The two teams played recently in the semi-finals and although Racecourse won the matchup that day, all signs point to a close contest on Saturday afternoon.
Murray Downs 4 sneaked its way into finals in Division 3 and were ranked fourth on the ladder after the regular season but have since gone on a winning streak and find themselves in the grand final.
After taking care of Lake Boga in the semi-finals, the side then emerged victorious over teammates Murray Downs 3 in the preliminary final to set up the clash against Racecourse in the grand final.
Murray Downs 5 also hope to add to their successful year when they matchup against Racecourse 5 in the Division 4 Grand Final this Saturday.
The team has already had to knock out Racecourse 6 in the semi-finals and then Racecourse 7 in the preliminary final so it makes sense to verse Racecourse 5 in the grand final.
In total Murray Downs will have 40 players in action and McCaig hopes that all matches will be close and spectators get to watch some spectacular bowls action.
“Good luck to all bowlers, I hope it’s a good day,” he said.
“If everyone plays with the right spirit, bowls will be the winner.”
