MURRAY Downs’ Midweek Pennant Division 1 team will head to the state championships in Moama in May.
The Rams clinched the Murray Mallee Region Midweek Pennant title on Saturday at Barham Bowls Club, finishing ahead of Cohuna, Sea Lake and Mildura Workers in their group.
In the three-game tournament, the Rams finished with a 2-1 record along with Cohuna and Mildura Workers, but their 93-19 thrashing of Sea Lake in the first game ensured their percentage of 177.14 was enough to get through.
Murray Downs Bowls Club president and team member Garry McCaig said it was a huge moment for the club.
“We’re pretty pumped – it was a massive day for the club,” he said.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve gone to the state championships, so we’re all champing at the bit to head to Moama.”
McCaig said the opening-match performance against Sea Lake that saw the Rams win by 74 shots was one of the best he’d seen the side play.
“I don’t think anybody could do wrong in the first game,” he said.
“At Barham, it’s played on synthetic, which is foreign to us and common to Sea Lake in their competition, so for our players to adapt so well, made it a brilliant win.”
The Rams backed it up in their second contest with a 50-37 win over Mildura Workers before falling to Northern District side Cohuna 49-43 in the final match.
“We only needed to keep the shots down against Cohuna,” McCaig said.
“Our big win in the first game meant we didn’t have to go out there worrying about the win but just securing our spot.”
In a team sense, it doesn’t get much bigger than the state championships, and McCaig was treating it as the pinnacle.
“I don’t think many in our team would have played at this level before,” he said.
“It will be a big couple of days playing six or seven games.
“It will be tough, but anytime you go out on the greens, you’re a chance to win.”
The Rams’ Weekend Pennant team didn’t fare as well the following afternoon.
After a first-round victory over Tyrrell representative Birchip Gray, the Rams lost their final two contests.
