IT was blue and white heaven for Murray Downs Bowls Club on Saturday afternoon as they clinched back-to-back flags in the Murray Valley Bowls Division 1.
The dominant club of the past four years confirmed themselves as a team to remember – banishing any lingering thoughts of a potentially wasted era with a hard-fought 70-61 victory over rivals Racecourse Bowls Club.
With the margin in single figures nearly all day, the finals experience of the Rams shone through against a Racecourse side chasing their first flag in 17 years.
The Rams took control around the 25th end and managed to stave off any significant Racecourse fightback for the game’s entirety.
Playing on Racecourse’s home greens, it was a vindicating day for MDBC president Garry McCaig and his team.
“It definitely felt like an affirmation for us,” he said.
“We were pretty keen to win as it was, but when it was announced the final was at Racecourse, we were chomping at the bit to beat them on their home deck – it’s a very pleasing and rewarding experience.”
Heading into the game with a 2-2 record between the sides this season, McCaig told The Guardian last week his side needed to produce a three-rink performance to ensure victory, which is exactly what the Rams achieved.
“That’s the most consistent we’ve played against Racecourse all season and the first time we won all three rinks, which is an incredibly pleasing feeling to do that on the biggest stage,” he said.
The Rams won 24-20, 24-20 and 22-21.
While there was no clear standout performer, McCaig praised his team’s three skippers, who he regards as the beating heart of the Rams.
“Our strength lies in our skippers,” he said.
“On my rink, Brian Lehmann is an incredible bowler, and he was fantastic as usual on Saturday.
“We all know Josh Thornton’s quality, and he stood up when it mattered towards the back end of the contest along with John Caldwell.
“How good your skippers are is generally the difference between winning and losing in bowls, and I believe we have three of the best in the competition.”
It was an extra special day for new Rams Ray Wilson, Matt O’Bree and Peter Brook, who won their first flag for the club after making the move across in pre-season.
McCaig said the trio had been invaluable to their campaign.
“They were all tickled pink – they’ve brought a great consistency to us with their strength through the middle – and it was a big drive for us to get them a flag,” he said.
The good news didn’t end there for the Rams – doubling up the premiership glory with another win over Racecourse in Division 2.
“It was an unbelievable win by them,” McCaig said.
“They were smashed by Racecourse a fortnight ago and somehow managed to turn it around in two weeks.”
McCaig lauded the depth of his club, with many claiming Division 2 glory was a big part of the top side’s success throughout the 2022-23 season.
“In any sport, depth is essential,” he said.
“Six of the guys playing in Division 2 could have easily played and played well in our match.”
The successful Rams outfit celebrated long into the night at Murray Downs Golf & Country Club, with McCaig saying the primary topic of conversation was going for a coveted three-peat.
