Allan Matheson Shield | Bombers and Redlegs set for epic preliminary final battle

The 2023 edition of preliminary final day promises to be one of the most exciting yet, as a star-studded Kyabram faces reigning premier Tallygaroopna in a clash of division one’s most evenly matched sides.

A match which contains a litany of storylines, the surging Bombers will be out to prove their off-season recruiting spree was a worthwhile exercise, while the Redlegs will be itching at the chance to turn their 2021-22 premiership into back-to-back glory.

The season series between these two sides has also been a fascinating watch, with the Bombers romping to a 39-shot win in round three before the Redlegs got them back with a crushing 25-shot triumph in round 10.

So as this cast of stars prepares to take to the green at Shepparton Golf on Saturday afternoon, the big question is who can stand up to the intense pressure?

Well after it destroyed Shepparton Park by 44 shots in the weekend’s elimination final, Tallygaroopna chairman of selectors Mark Ryan said his team was perfectly placed leading into this do-or-die clash.

“I know the last time we played against Kyabram we had a good result and, while I know it will be harder this time around, as a team I think we are really gelling well at the moment,” Ryan said.

“This is one of those games where we all have to be at our best from beginning to end, and after we did that against Park last week I am confident we have what it takes to do it again.

“Ever since Christmas I feel we have been in great form, so it will take something pretty good from them to beat us.”

The Bombers on the other hand do not take winning form into this clash, after they suffered a devastating three-shot loss to Shepparton Golf in the weekend’s qualifying final.

But while the disappointment of that missed opportunity cut deep, Kyabram vice-president Glenn Fields said the performance showed the squad had what it took to match it with the best on the finals stage.

“To lose on the very last bowl of the day (at the weekend) certainly hurt, but the good thing is that we know we have what it takes to beat the best,” Fields said.

“But this week the task certainly doesn’t get any easier with Tallygaroopna, but that is to be expected this time of year and we are keen to take on the challenge.

“If you look at this Tally side you can see the amount of talent they have, so for us it will be all about playing our best bowls consistently for the entire day.”

Another interesting aspect to this clash is the fact that it is a replay of last year’s preliminary final.

That day it was the Redlegs who reigned supreme with a dominant 17-118 to 1-69 victory, which ended up springboarding their famous victory over Golf the following week.

For Fields and his new-look cast of characters, righting that wrong of last year has been a major motivating force behind their entire 2022-23 campaign.

“We learnt a lot from that loss last year and, with an entirely different team this time around, we are very determined to flip that result,” he said.

“It’s also funny that we are at the same venue this year as well, so hopefully we leave a much happier team this time.”

For Tally on the other hand, a trip back to the grand final is something Ryan said would mean a great deal to not only the division one squad but the entire club.

“I think we are playing better bowls than we were this time last year,” Ryan said.

“It would be unreal to make another grand final, those days are the reason you play the entire season and the fire runs deep for us.

“We know what it takes to win these games, so hopefully we can do it again on Saturday.”

Both teams will make one change for this do-or-die final, with Tallygaroopna’s Russell Orchard and Kyabram’s Paul McInnes unavailable.

The Allan Matheson Shield preliminary final will take place at Shepparton Golf Bowls Club on Saturday, with the action to start at 1pm.