Keilor is hoping its second time lucky in the Bowls Victoria weekend pennant, division 2, section 1 grand final.
After making the decider last season before falling short to Bacchus Marsh, the Bulls are through to the final game of the season for a second straight year.
As well as the club’s top side winning through on Saturday, its third and fourth sides won through to grand finals as well.
Bulls’ president Joe Watkins said this is something that they’ve been working towards for a number of years.
“I’ve been here 18-19 years and this hasn’t happened in my time,” he said. “Many years ago we went six from six which was a fantastic effort.
“Ever since I’ve been chairman we’ve looked to boost the squad and be competitive in all our sides.
“Our main objective is to get our top side into division 1 and attract some more players.”
The club’s top side was at home in its semi final to Club Sunbury 2 on Saturday in the semi finals.
It was a hard fought contest with Keilor winning, 84 (14)-73 (4).
“There wasn’t much in it,” Watkins said.
“We were in front all day but they certainly had a crack and kept it close.
“We were able to keep it at eight or nine shots for most of the day. It was what you expect in finals, a real arm wrestle.”
Frank Bellino’s rink won 20-19, while Tony Davis’ rink had a big 30-12 win.
Mark Jacobsen’s rink lost 18-17 and Richard Kopcewicz’ rink lost 23-17.
Watkins said they had been hoping at the start of the season to see the division 2 side back in the grand final.
“Making two in a row, you can’t take anything for granted after last year,’ he said.
“We’re looking forward to it and have trained hard and are ready for next Saturday.”
A change in the competition format means that Keilor will host the grand final, instead of it being at a neutral green.
Watkins said they were hoping to have a big crowd down to watch the side in action.
“It’s a good thing to get a home final,” he said. “That is the advantage of finishing top.
“We’ve got a pretty good squad that are level headed and have worked hard. They deserve to be in the grand final.”
“They’re looking forward to it.”
Keilor will face Werribee in the grand final after the Bees beat Sunbury, 105 (18)-37 (0) in the preliminary final on Sunday.
The Bees have a win over the Bulls this season and have had plenty of good battles the past couple of seasons.
Watkins said it would be a good challenge and they’ll prepare themselves physically and mentally for the challenge.
Keilor’s third and fourth sides, which will be promoted after making the grand final, will have the week off before their grand finals.
