By Tara Murray
Things panned out perfectly for Werribee as it finds itself in the perfect spot to go for back-to-back Bowls Victorian weekend pennant, division 2, section 1 grand finals.
After losing to Keilor in the second last round, the Bees entered the final round on Saturday three points behind Keilor in the battle for second.
Bees chairman of selectors Mick O’Neil said they just focused on trying to get all 18 points against Melton 2.
They did just that, winning 116 (18)-54 (0) and luck went their way with Keilor losing, meaning the Bees finishing in second.
“We thought we could get the 18 points but we needed Keilor to drop a rink and they ended up getting beat,” he said.
“We were playing a side that was down towards the bottom so we would have been disappointed if we didn’t get the four rinks.
“It would have been nice to get a home final, but we finished only three points behind Bacchus Marsh and they played two more games.”
Ian Milledge’s rink won 30-18, Robert Panton’s won 25-13, Gavin Joyce’s rink won 23-12 and O’Neil’s rink had a massive 38-11 win.
The result came without usual skips Brendan Barker and Robert Smith, with both set to return for finals.
The win sets up a semi final at Bacchus Marsh on Saturday against Bacchus Marsh with the winner through to the grand final.
The loser will face the winner of Keilor and Rosamond in the preliminary final on Sunday.
For the Bees and O’Neil it’s a situation they’ve been in before.
“We were first and second last year and we knocked them off before they lost to Deer Park the next day,” he said.
“They beat us throughout the season, but we won three rinks up there so we will go in with a fair bit of confidence.”
O’Neil said they were aiming to go one better this season.
The Bees will have three of their five teams in finals last year, which O’Neil said was a really good effort.
Their second side had a home final with a grand final spot on the line, while the fourth side will host a home knockout semi final.
“We are really happy with three sides out of five,” he said. “It’s a great result.”
In division 4, section 1, Hoppers finished the regular season with a 76 (16)-63 (2) win.
Hoppers finished on top and will host Bacchus Marsh 2 for a spot in the grand final on Saturday, with a second chance for the loser.
Point Cook finished third having beaten Palm Lake in the final round, 75 (14)-69 (4).
Point Cook will host Yarraville Footscray 4 in a knockout semi final, with the winner to face the loser of the other semi final.
