Shepparton Park's Paul Nichols engineered a thumping rink win in his side’s sweep of Mooroopna last weekend.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
We’re one weekend of bowls away from the Goulburn Valley Playing Area Allan Matheson Shield starting to turn for home.
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While there was every chance of the region’s premier weekend competition turning into a two-horse race all but officially entering round six last Saturday, third-placed Shepparton Park could hardly have done more to make its case.
Its emphatic rink sweep of Mooroopna, which has sunk back to the floor of the table, actually enabled the Kialla-based outfit to gain ground on rival Shepparton Golf.
Most of the chips — not all, of course, with half the season still to come — will be on the table this Saturday, though, when Park and Golf collide in a huge Shepparton derby.
In spite of Tatura-Hill Top’s solid victory over Euroa last time out, Park still looks by far the best-placed to present any threat to the stranglehold possessed by Tallygaroopna and Golf on those precious double-chance spots.
Now, the chance to propose a concrete alternative to the two major parties arrives with the final set of unique match-ups before the fixture repeats starting next weekend.
Golf remains the hardiest defence around, having conceded the second-fewest shots in round six and four less across the season than the unbeaten Redlegs.
The only side to allow less offence last weekend, though, was Park itself in its demolition of a Mooroopna side which was tipped for improvement in season 2024-25.
Brad Orr’s rink was a huge 22-shot victor in last weekend’s win for Golf over East Shepparton.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Shepparton Park Bowls Club undoubtedly sets the bowls scene’s most crucial stage in round seven action, but the moving and shaking will stay in full effect around the grounds as the halfway mark looms.
Tallygaroopna itself can complete a perfect first half to the season, running the table once over, if David Daws’ outfit can overcome an East Shepparton outfit desperate to remain in the finals conversation.
Speaking of the race for fourth, Tatura-Hill Top maintains a grasp on that coveted spot, but will have a fight on its hands out west with opponent Kyabram within striking distance of that place — as is East Shepparton, should a significant upset occur.
Euroa and Mooroopna will meet in the south-east for a battle of one-win sides, with the loser every chance of sitting more than 40 points away from fourth place once all is said and done.
