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Allan Matheson Shield | Gallery | Spirited Kyabram hands Shepparton Golf first loss of season
As the old saying goes — a week is a long time in sport.
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On Saturday Kyabram proved this statement to be true and then some, as it bounced back from a disappointing defeat to Tallygaroopna with a famous 16-90 to 2-82 win over a previously undefeated Shepparton Golf.
A result that proved the Bombers had what it takes to not only match, but overcome the Golf juggernaut, the win was inspired by a complete performance across the green.
Geoff Beattie provided the highlight of the day, as he turned a 16-shot deficit to Golf coach Brett Foley into a narrow 25-19 loss in rink one.
Beattie’s incredible turnaround then allowed the rest of the Bombers rinks to go to work, as Brent Reiner inspired a thrilling three-shot win over Golf legend Brad Orr, David Cartwright produced a dominant nine-shot win in rink two and newly-promoted skip Glenn Fields came away with a two-shot triumph in rink four.
A win that keeps the Bombers in second position on the weekend pennant division one Allan Matheson Shield ladder, club vice-president Fields said it was a landmark win in the context of the season.
“We were very disappointed after last week’s loss to Tally and had a lot of conversations during the week about how we could improve,” Fields said.
“We made a few changes just to freshen things up and it seemed to work, everyone rocked up and seemed to play well from the start, which is what you need to do against Golf.
“The aim was just to be in the game at half-time, and I think we were only three shots down, and just take it as deep as possible because you know you aren’t going to thrash Golf.
“But to come away with the win against Golf, something we haven’t done for a while, was amazing and we certainly had a few beers afterwards to celebrate.”
The momentum of the match shifted as Beattie managed to find his best bowls after the break, as the remainder of the Bombers team seemed to lift with him.
Fields explained just how important the Beattie fightback was in getting his team over the line.
“Brett Foley was just on fire early and Geoff just couldn’t stop him, that rink really threatened to take the match away from us,” he said.
“But then all of a sudden Geoff just turned it around, he played some incredible bowls and that lifted the rest of us in the other three rinks.
“I can’t understate how crucial Geoff was in us getting this win, and we are so lucky to have him on our team.”
When it comes to the make-up of the ladder, this win ensured Kyabram remained in second spot and held a rampaging Tallygaroopna at bay.
Fields said the win would give his side a crucial boost of confidence as the finals series approaches.
“This win was huge for us, two losses in a row would have put us into third and screwed our hopes of a double chance, so this result puts us back on track,” he said.
“But at the same time we can’t get too complacent, we just need to take each challenge as it comes and hopefully just keep improving.”
Elsewhere, Shepparton Park solidified itself in fourth spot with a crushing 16-125 to 2-76 win over East Shepparton.
Josh Warren was the star of the show, with his 46-14 win in rink three pivotal in the hefty percentage boost.
Tallygaroopna continued on its winning ways, easily accounting for a winless Mooroopna 16-102 to 2-80.
While Tatura-Hill Top kept itself in the finals hunt with a convincing 16-111 to 2-81 win over Stanhope.
MMG sports reporter