RACECOURSE will look to end their premiership drought this weekend after they defeated Swan Hill in a preliminary final thriller, avenging their defeat to the Swans at the same stage last season.
Up by one shot with one end to play, Kylie Gardner was composed under pressure and rolled her side into the final with some brilliant bowls to end the game 75-72.
Swan Hill was ahead for long periods of the contest as the finals specialists once again threatened to upset Racecourse, but the fight from the green and white showed maturity.
Racecourse Bowls Club president Norm Smith told The Guardian he was delighted with his side’s growth.
“The game could have gone either way and they were in front with two or three ends to go,” Smith said.
“But I’m thrilled with how our guys fought back in front and stayed calm in those last couple of ends.”
Murray Downs awaits for Racecourse, who’ll be looking to reverse the qualifying final result from a fortnight ago.
On that day, it was Racecourse who won two of the three rinks but still failed to record victory thanks to a rampaging Josh Thornton.
Michael Holyoak’s team were the unfortunate victims that afternoon, but on Saturday, it was turned around 180 degrees.
Swan Hill recorded wins on rink one 27-23 and rink two 24-22, but Holyoak’s crew of Robert Hayes, Dylan Weaver and Graham Bennett were the saviours this time, putting in a match-winning performance to win rink three 30-21.
Smith said he was always backing one of his most consistent performers.
“It was just a down day for them last week, and I think anyone could have played Josh (Thornton) that day and got smashed – they’ve been a steady rink all year and will have a massive role to play on Saturday,” he said.
With the club’s last grand final win being well over a decade ago, there is an air of anticipation at the club with the big game being played on their home greens.
“Everyone is very happy and we’re looking forward to putting on a good show,” Smith said.
