Tara Murray
It wasn’t one for the light-hearted on Saturday, with Werribee getting over the line against Bacchus Marsh in a thriller in the Bowls Victorian weekend pennant, division 2, section 1 semi finals.
With a grand final spot on the line, both teams were itching to get any advantage they could out at the Bacchus Marsh greens.
The match would come down to the final end. The Bees were able to pick up two shots to claim the win 75 (14)-74 (4).
Bees skip Mick O’Neil said there were a mixture of emotions throughout the day.
“It was very nervy,” he said. “There were never more than five shots between us on the day.
“With one end to go, we were down by one.
“We held two shots and their guy killed it. We managed to get two up again in the end and were able to win by one.
“It was very exciting, very nerve wracking.”
O’Neil said they thought for a while that the scores would end up tied and result in everyone having to play an extra end.
It wouldn’t end up being the case and they were able to enjoy some celebratory drinks instead.
Brendan Barker’s rink won 29-7 and Robert Panton’s rink won 21-13. O’Neil’s rink lost 23-14 and Robert Smith’s rink lost 31-11.
O’Neil said it was a real mixed day for the side.
“Snowy Barker’s rink smashed it all day,” he said. “Mine struggled a bit and Robert Smith also struggled but picked up three shots to influence the game.
“Rob Panton’s rink was able to get the two on the last end to get the win.”
O’Neil said the confidence of beating Bacchus Marsh in the second last round on their home green without two skippers had given them plenty of confidence heading into the finals.
“We went out there and knew if we played solidly we could get the win,” he said. “It did help going out there knowing that we could beat them when we were a couple of skips down.
The win puts the Bees into the grand final where they will face Deer Park 2 in the grand final. The grand final will be played at a neutral venue.
O’Neil couldn’t remember the exact year they were last in a grand final, but said it had been “several years”.
“If we can get the win in the grand final we will get back into division 1,” he said. “That would be nice for the top side to be back in that grade.
“If we win the grand final then we go on to face the other section winners. The most important thing for us is to get back into division 1, everything else is a bonus.
“That is what we’re focusing on.”
It was a good day for the Bees with their third side also winning through to the grand final.
