Given a chance to solidify their position in the top three, the Bombers crumbled under the pressure as the in-form Parkers dominated from start-to-finish to run away with a convincing 18-100 to 0-72 victory at Kyabram Bowls Club.
Now at risk of falling into fourth, Kyabram simply cannot afford to drop this game as it gears up for a brutal final fortnight ahead, featuring match-ups with top-two sides Tallygaroopna and Shepparton Golf.
Kyabram chief of selectors Glenn Fields said his team was determined to put its best bowls on the green in this do-or-die clash.
“We are really keen to bounce back after last week, it was a bit of a disaster for us where everyone was flat and we just couldn’t get anything going in any of the rinks,” Fields said.
“There were a lot of bowls left short and, while sometimes the greens can be a bit tricky, it was no excuse for the way we bowled last week.
“This game is an excellent opportunity for us to consolidate our spot in the top four and get back to playing our best bowls.”
East Shepparton will face the Allan Matheson Shield’s toughest task as it travels to Shepparton Golf in the hope of continuing its charge towards the top four.
Coming out of the Christmas break on the bottom of the table, the Eagles have hit their stride in recent weeks, knocking off Tallygaroopna, Euroa and Stanhope to find themselves back in contention.
Shepparton Golf on the other hand enjoyed a week off, with its round 11 clash with Euroa forfeited.
It won’t get any more challenging for Brent Reiner’s squad than a clash against Golf, with an upset victory having the potential to send shockwaves through the rest of the competition.
Shepparton Park will be looking to keep the good times rolling as it welcomes Tallygaroopna for a ladder-shaping contest.
The Parkers have been a revelation in the past fortnight, claiming critical wins over Tatura-Hill Top and Kyabram to be firmly locked into fourth spot.
But the challenges keep coming for Paul Nicholls’ squad, as it comes up against a Redlegs side eager to lock away its spot in the top two.
After an indifferent start to 2022, Tally recaptured its best form last week, easily accounting for the dangerous Tatura-Hill Top 16-118 to 2-91.
With finals just around the corner, Mark Ryan and company will be determined to silence the competition’s form team in Shepparton Park and send a message to reigning premier Golf that they mean business.
