By Tara Murray
Bacchus Marsh’s title hopes are alive in the Central Highlands Bowls top division after a semi-final win on Saturday.
Facing perennial grand finalist Kyneton Golf in a knockout semi-final, Bacchus Marsh fired up for a good win.
Bacchus Marsh won three of the four rinks on the way to a 109 (16)-82 (2) victory.
For Bacchus Marsh, wins were secured by Daniel Willis (32-11), Simon Cornock (26-18) and Phil Minniti (35-22).
In the other rink, Glenn Arthur lost to Adrian Plowman 31-16.
Bacchus Marsh president and skip Phil Minniti said they had played some really good bowls to get the win.
“Kyneton Golf is always really hard to beat. We had reasonable wins in three of the rinks with Dan Willis’ rink have a huge win and playing exceptionally well.
“They had one rink, led by Adrian Plowman against Glenn Arthur, which played really well.
The win sets up a preliminary final match-up with minor premier Gisborne Red, which lost its semi-final with Lancefield 108 (16)-91 (2).
Bacchus Marsh and Gisborne Red played in the second last round of the regular season, with Bacchus Marsh claiming a 15-shot victory on that occasion.
The winner of the preliminary final will tackle Lancefield in the grand final.
Minniti said they were expecting a tough contest in the grand final.
“It will be different this time, with the game being played at a neutral green. All it takes is one person’s rink to make the difference.”
Photo Gallery: Bacchus Marsh vs Kyneton Golf
It was a good day all round for Bacchus Marsh with three of their teams winning.
In division 2, Bacchus Marsh won through to the grand final with a two-shot win against Woodend.
Woodend will face Kyneton Red in the preliminary final after beating Macedon Ranges.
Gisborne is through to the division 3 grand final and will face the winner of Bacchus Marsh and Romsey.
Minniti said it had been a long time since the club had three sides all still alive at this part of the season.
Meanwhile, Melton will be relegated from Bowls Victoria Pennant division 1, section 1 after finishing ninth.
Melton needed a miracle in the final round against Sunbury to have any chance of avoiding a bottom two spot.
That failed to eventuate, with Sunbury winning 79 (16)-62 (2).
MORE BOWLS NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/weather-tips-deer-park-into-the-running/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/lancefield-wins-through/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/sunbury-in-good-form/
