There were double celebrations for Gisborne on Saturday as the club claimed two Central Highlands Bowls Division premierships.
Facing Kyneton Golf and Kyneton in the division 1 and division 2 grand finals, Gisborne was pushed all the way in both matches.
Gisborne president Ian Ball said it was a special moment as the club claimed the double for the first time.
Graham Quaife’s rink was the difference in the division 1 grand final.
His was Gisborne’s only winning rink with a scoreline of 29-15.
The sides split two rinks and Gisborne suffered a loss in the fourth rink as it won 99 (14)-86 (4) in a match between the two most recent premiers.
Ball said Quaife was keen to atone after dropping his rink in the club’s semi-final loss to Golf.
He said that in hindsight, losing that final worked out well, giving them the chance to have another week on the Lancefield green where all finals were played.
“He is our most senior player,” Ball said. “He got beaten in the second semi and was very determined in the preliminary final. He’s been at the club about 35 years and hasn’t had a lot of success until the last few years.”
The win sealed a second straight division 1 premiership for Gisborne, after it broke a long drought last year.
Ball said the second title was just as enjoyable in what was a tight competition all season.
Ball himself played a key role in the division 2 premiership, with the Gisborne Red team beating Kyneton.
Just three shots separated the teams at tea before Ball’s rink put its foot down to seal the 75 (12)-63 (4) win.
Ball’s rink won 32-13 with the other two rinks both close.
Ball said the club was thrilled with how the season had panned out on and off the green.
He said the club would be hosting a tournament in early April that would be a good end to the season.
Kyneton Red won the division 3 grand final, beating Trentham 72 (14)-57 (2).
