Precision: Shepparton Park’s Rob Thorne.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
East Shepparton produced the upset of the Allan Matheson Shield season at the weekend, travelling to Tallygaroopna and coming away with a thrilling 15-91 to 3-89 victory under lights.
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With both sides missing key contributors due to COVID-19, it was always going to be about who would win the big moments, and for the first time this season it was East Shepparton that rose to the occasion.
Pondering: Stanhope’s Ben Fletcher.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Winning two rinks and tying another, the East Shepparton bowlers didn’t give their highly fancied opponents an inch in a performance that will without a doubt spark incredible belief through the group heading into the second half of the season.
The performance of coach Brent Reiner in rink three was particularly impressive, with a seven-shot win enough to tip the scales in East Shepparton’s favour.
Picture perfect: Stanhope’s Greg Fitzpatrick.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
It wasn’t all doom and gloom for the home side, however, with a 28-19 win for Matt Roberts almost enough to steal an unlikely victory.
A result that has East Shepparton climb off the bottom of the table, Reiner said he was incredibly proud of how his side overcame adversity to claim the upset victory.
Concentration: Stanhope’s Jamie Stokes.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
“We had a fantastic game all around, all rinks played really well and to go up to Tally and come away with a win it just gives us so much confidence,” Reiner said.
“Tally were missing Mark Ryan, but we were also missing Chris Johnson with COVID, so it was always going to be an interesting match, plus we had the weather to deal with as well, so to overcome all of those factors it was very pleasing.”
Having underperformed in the first half of the season, Reiner believes this match could be the turning point for his time as the race to finals heats up.
Experienced campaigner: Shepparton Park’s Dave Hardie.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
“We were sitting on the bottom of the ladder there and I never thought we were a bottom of the ladder side, and now we are only a handful points out of the four, so it shows just how close the season is and how important a win like this is,” he said.
“Before the game I said to the team that I thought we could win, I always had that confidence in our group, we have had a pretty stable side all year, but haven’t gelled as a team.
“Friday night was the first time all four rinks really had a good go, so I’m not putting it past us to have a go at making the finals.”
Fun in the sun: Stanhope’s Barry Fletcher.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
•Shepparton Golf survived a major scare from Tatura-Hill Top to keep its perfect record intact, triumphing 16-91 to 2-88 in a thrilling affair at the Hill Top.
With all four rinks decided by six shots or loss, the championship pedigree of the Golf side would prove the difference in the end, with Kristoffer Ferguson, Connor Trewren and Brad Orr delivering crucial victories.
Soaking it in: Stanhope’s John Patterson.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Elsewhere, Kyabram took the opportunity to jump into second on the ladder with a convincing 14-100 to 4-79 win over Euroa.
Splitting the rinks two-apiece, John Hausler and Glenn Fields ensured the Bombers would not fall victim to an upset, prevailing 29-15 and 31-21 in their respective wins to guide Kyabram to a comfortable victory.
Shepparton Park rounded out the winners’ list with a crushing 16-110 to 2-70 win over Stanhope.
All smiles: Shepparton Park’s Jim Oliver.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
A result that had it shoot up into the top four, Peter Matthews was the star inspiring a 32-15 triumph in rink one, while Shane Walsh was impressive with his rink three squad prevailing 29-11.
