Keilor is through to the Bowls Victoria weekend pennant, division 1, section 1 grand final after a stunning win against Werribee on Sunday.
After having to wait a week to find out their preliminary final opponent, the Bulls faced Werribee on Sunday with a spot in the grand final against Bacchus Marsh on the line.
Not much had separated the two sides all season, but on this occasion the Bulls were too strong, winning 82 (14)- 64 (4).
Keilor president Joe Watkins was ecstatic to win through to the decider.
“It’s something that we have worked for,” he said. “We have got to the big dance and we have another hard day’s work ahead of us.”
Watkins said they led for much of the day against the Bees but were never able to really get away completely.
He said against a side like Werribee, you expect that they will continue to fight.
“It was always around the 20 shot mark,” he said. “They came towards the middle but we were able to bring it home.
“There were a lot of Keilor supporters down there and they were like another player.
“It’s always good to hear the crowd after throwing down a decent bowl. It was fantastic.”
For the Bulls, Steven Bellino’s rink won 20-9, while Mark Jacobsen’s rink won 25-10.
Watkins said they had a lot of contributors across the board.
The Bulls will now face Bacchus Marsh in the grand final on Saturday.
Watkins said it would be another challenge for them.
“They have been there for a number of years,” he said. “We have to equal what they throw at us and give back a little more from Keilor.”
It was a good weekend for Keilor with its fourth side beating Glenroy to win through to a grand final this weekend.
Its second side won its grand final and has earned promotion and will play off in divisional finals this weekend.
Meanwhile, Deer Park’s hopes of a third straight premier division title remain alive despite a scare.
For a second straight season, the Parkers have had to make the grand final the hard way after losing a semi final.
This time on Friday night, the Parkers fell short against Yarraville Footscray which won through to its first ever premier division grand final.
The Bulldogs won that semi final, 84 (15)-75 (3).
Lee Schraner was the winning skip for Deer Park, with Mark Casey’s rink having an 18-all draw.
It meant the Parkers had to beat Melbourne on Sunday in the preliminary final to match the grand final.
The Parkers started the better of the sides and led by seven shots half way through the match up.
Melbourne fought back and scores were level after 51 ends, with Melbourne taking a five shot lead at one point.
The Parkers’ experience shone through and they managed to take the lead back in the 67th end.
It was back and forth for a while before the Parkers again took the lead.
Despite Melbourne coming hard late, the Parkers did enough to win 83 (14)-77 (4).
Mark Casey’s rink won 21-15, while Matty Baus’ rink won 22-15.
It means the Parkers will face Yarraville Footscray in the grand final on Sunday at Moonee Ponds.
