‘The move had paid off in the first two weeks’: Cartwright family reflects on successful Kyabram return

The Bombers were in all sorts of trouble at the halfway point of the match, as the class of Tally shone through in the early stages to open up a commanding 20-shot lead.

A 10-month journey — which involved a massive recruiting drive, hours of hard training and countless rink swaps to find the right mix — looked like it would end in disappointment on the season’s penultimate day.

But for the father-son duo of David and Josh Cartwright in rink two, losing simply was not an option.

The pair — which, along with 13-year-old Jacob, joined the club as a family unit in the off-season — put its head down and went to work in an attempt to swing the game and give its teammates one last push at victory.

What happened next was the stuff of fairytales, as the Bombers lapped up the momentum the pair built in rink two and finished the match on a 26-9 run to steal a remarkable two-shot victory.

In the end, it was the 25-19 victory of the Cartwright-led rink over Mitch Sidebottom that proved the difference in the game and punched the Bombers’ ticket to the grand final.

Reflecting on the magical turnaround, David said it was the confidence and youthful exuberance of Josh that brought his team back into the contest.

“That was an amazing effort,” David said.

“Joshy probably didn’t have his best first half to the game, but he showed a lot of maturity in the last six or seven ends.

“He said to me a couple of times, ‘Dad we are right in this’ and I said ‘mate we are’, and he simply took the moment in his stride and played some phenomenal bowls.

“Even when it came down to the last end, he had missed his first shot, but quickly said I’ve got another chance in my hand here, I’m going to go and get it done.

“And he did, that is the enthusiasm and confidence, not just Josh, but all the kids in our team have, and moments like that show they are a big reason as to why we have come so far.”

The build-up to this magic preliminary final moment began in July last year.

The Cartwrights, who are one of the most accomplished families in Goulburn Valley bowls, made the tough decision during the winter to make the move back to Kyabram after a successful stint at Tatura-Hill Top.

Part of the Bombers’ much-publicised off-season recruiting drive, David and his two sons Jacob and Josh made an instant impact in the red-and-black with their exploits on the green and kind-hearted nature in the social rooms.

David said it took just two weeks for him and his family to realise they had made the right decision in taking their talents to the Hangar.

“I noticed that the move had paid off in the first two weeks, Ky made us feel very welcome, the boys slotted straight in and got their opportunity in the ones straight away which was great,” he said.

“We didn’t expect it by any means, they had to earn their right, and in the practice games they showed they would be major assets to the team all year.

“With juniors there are always going to be sceptical people, but everyone at Ky knows the talent the boys have along with Jake’s best mate Charlie (Boswood) and his older brother Henry.

“The club has done a great job in embracing the juniors, and these boys have been leading the way for us as a team and pushing us to the heights we’ve got to this year.”

Now there is just one match that separates the Cartwright family from Allan Matheson Shield glory.

Although he is as determined as anybody to help lead his team to victory, David said the fact he would get the chance to play alongside his two sons in a grand final would make the day incredibly special regardless of the result.

“The experience of playing with Jacob and Josh has been second-to-none,” he said.

“I’ve had the pleasure of watching my daughter Olivia succeed and playing in a midweek premiership with her at Tatura-Hill Top last year.

“But to watch the boys grow and develop this year has been special and, as a parent, the most important thing is seeing your kids do well.

“So the fact that on Saturday I will be walking out there with them for a grand final, it is overwhelming and I will have to stop and pinch myself.”