IT’S a case of same place, same time for Racecourse and Swan Hill bowls clubs.
At this stage last season, the pair faced off in the Murray Valley Bowls Division 1 preliminary final, and a year later they’ll once again do battle for the right to face Murray Downs in the grand final.
Swan Hill last year upset the favoured Racecourse on their home greens 76-68.
However, this feels like a much stronger Racecourse, who have been the only real challengers to Murray Downs this season by beating them twice and falling just short in last week’s qualifying final.
Racecourse Bowls Club president Norm Smith said playing at his opponent’s home rink held no qualms for his side.
“You’ve got to play wherever it’s put, and we’ve beaten them there this year, so there’s no worries with how good the greens are,” he said.
However, Smith’s counterpart in Swans president Brian Richardson said they’ll use every edge they can to usurp their rivals.
“There’s an advantage of being on our own greens – we’ll be doing our absolute best to give a good account in front of our home crowd,” Richardson said.
While Racecourse deservedly headed into the game favourites, history suggested the Swans peak at this time of year – having many times missed the top two only to go on and make the grand final.
In an ominous sign for Racecourse, Richardson believed his side was finding that late-season momentum they were renowned for.
“We feel like we’re settled now and adding consistency to our game – that’s what held us in good stead on Saturday – and if our more accomplished bowlers, who we expect to be consistent, do so tomorrow, were quietly confident we can win,” he said.
But with Racecourse and Smith himself having fantastic seasons, Richardson held his opponents in the highest of regards.
“We’ve got to acknowledge that Racecourse is a very formidable opponent led by Norm Smith, who’s won everything individually this year,” he said.
“Norm’s had an exceptional season, and to win the flag, you need to get past bowlers of his quality – it’s just part and parcel of the game – whoever draws him will have a huge task on their hands, but we all know that.”
Deep finals experience was a strength of the Swans, but Richardson said his opponents’ own seasoned campaigners would counteract that.
“They’re in the same boat as us with bowlers who’ve played a lot of finals, so we’ll just concentrate on our own bowling,” he said.
In the contests between the pair during the regular season, Racecourse came out on top 2-1, including winning the most recent game 80 shots to 60.
This meant little, according to Smith.
“Finals is a totally different game – it’s pretty simple stuff on our end, we’ve just got to play to our ability and do our best which is all I can ask for,” he said.
Racecourse lost no fans last week, losing in a tight affair to premiership favourites Murray Downs.
The green and white even won two of the three rinks, but Mick Holyoak’s team were beaten comfortably by Josh Thornton’s crew.
Smith was backing his team mates to bounce back this week.
“There’s no point throwing the toys out the cot yet – we were only outgunned in one rink last Saturday, which was the difference,” he said.
“That rink has been one of our best for the year, but they just run into a firing Josh (Thornton).
“Everyone’s available, so we’re quietly confident we can get through and have another crack at Murray Downs.”
Swan Hill is coming off their 82-62 elimination final victory over Lake Boga.
