The Bulldogs are coming off a narrow loss to six-time reigning premier Shepparton Golf before Saturday’s clash at Hill Top against Kyabram.
Golf has dominated the Goulburn Valley Playing Area’s top-tier division in recent memory, which meant there were plenty of positives to take away from the Bulldogs’ slim seven-shot loss.
“Everyone is excited for this weekend. We are looking forward to building on our performance from last week,” Tatura coach Brendon Boyd said.
“I thought we bowled better as a unit and everything seemed to click, which was nice. Brett Foley’s rink bowled well and put the pressure on us, but the key is to maintain that pressure and I thought we were able to.
“Hopefully we can come away with the points this weekend.”
But the hosts are up against a Kyabram outfit that brushed aside Euroa in the first week of Allan Matheson Shield action.
Kyabram chairman of selectors Glenn Fields said his charges were feeling upbeat after the stirring road win.
The Bombers produced a classy comeback victory after trailing for large parts of the match.
“It certainly is a nice way to start the season,” Fields said.
“We actually trailed for majority of the game but when the rain came and the greens changed then the game turned in our favour. Greg (Shilling) and Paul (McInnes) both bowled superbly after the break.
“We know we have our work cut out this weekend against a tough opposition.”
Tatura-Hill Top’s mentor understands that his contingent won’t be gifted victory this weekend.
Boyd expects a tight contest against a talented Bombers outfit.
“Kyabram is a very strong team. Their skips and thirds are always on the money,” he said.
“It will be a tight contest and I think it might come down to who can win the front-end battles.”
Boyd revealed that his group would enter Saturday’s match with two forced changes.
“We’ll have a couple of our front-end bowlers from last week out. We’ll bring in one young fella and one old guy — my old man,” Boyd said with a laugh.
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