It was heartbreak for Keilor in the Bowls Victoria weekend pennant, division 2, section 1 competition on Saturday.
Facing Bacchus Marsh at Deer Park for the section premiership, the Bulls were unable to hold off a fast finishing Bacchus Marsh, losing 77 (16)- 71 (2).
Bulls president Joe Watkins said it was disappointing not to come away with the victory and promotion into division 1, which had been one of their big aims.
“We led by 70 ends,” he said. “The last 12 ends, they just played well.
“They had a few lucky breaks and that was the game. It’s always a tough tussle.
“In sport they always come at some stage and they were strong towards the end and we whittled a little bit.”
Jason Silverii was the winning skip for Keilor, winning 20-15.
Tony Davis lost 19-17, Mark Jacobsen lost 20-15 and Steven Bellino lost 22-15.
Watkins said they would come again next season and hopefully go one step further.
“We wanted to make the jump into division 1,” he said. “We’ll be back next year and hopefully go one better.
“It’ll take a lot of hard work and nothing is a given as all sides will improve but the challenge is there.”
From an overall club perspective, Watkins said they were thrilled with what they had achieved.
The club has seen an increase of members in the past 12 months and continues to grow.
“It’s been a magnificent year,” he said. “We had nine sides, five Saturday and four midweek.
“We had five play finals and two win premierships and had a runner up. Another made a preliminary final.
“It’s been a fairly good year. We’ve unearthed some really good bowlers.”
The club’s division 7 north-west section 2 side had already claimed its title, while its division 4 side claimed the title on Saturday.
Playing in section 2, Keilor beat Broadmeadows in the grand final, 89 (16)-86 (2).
Watkins said the side, which was their second side, was one of the major highlights of the season.
“We’re really proud of them,” he said. “Two-thirds of them are first year bowlers.
“They’ve had a magnificent effort.”
The second side will now play in division 3 next season, while they’ll have two division 6 sides with the promotion of its division 7 side.
Meanwhile, Deer Park lost the premier division grand final to Yarraville Footscray.
Looking to become the first team to ever win three straight premier division titles, the Parkers lost 79 (14)-65 (4) with the game called with one end remaining.
