By Tara Murray
Yarraville Footscray celebrated for a couple of days after claiming its maiden Bowls Victoria weekend pennant premier division title.
The Bulldogs were able to knock off two-time defending champion Deer Park for a second time in the finals series to claim the championship on the long weekend.
Bulldogs bowls manager Wayne Roberts said it had been a good couple of days afterwards celebrating.
The Bulldogs hadn’t made finals in the top flight since 2006 and had never made it into a premier league grand final, with its highest premierships coming in division 1.
“It’s a big result for the team and I’m proud of how they played on the weekend,” he said. “They were outstanding and it was really tight all the way through.
“It was a bit of a relief. It was emotional for myself and a couple of others who have been through the low times.
“There were a few tears shed on the greens for a few of us. It’s good to see the players get the rewards.”
The Bulldogs knocked off Deer Park in the semi finals, before the Parkers beat Melbourne in the preliminary final to get through to a fourth straight grand final.
Roberts said in the grand final, Deer Park started the better of the teams in the grand final, but they were able to stick with them.
The two teams then traded the lead before the Bulldogs managed to hold a 12 to 14 shot lead for the dying ends.
The Bulldogs were able to hold on to that lead.
With the margin 14 shots heading into the final end, the match was called with Deer Park no chance of winning.
The Bulldogs claimed the win 79 (14)-65 (2).
Cohen Litfin and Craig Mills both won their rinks, with Litfin’s rink winning by 10 shots.
Nathan Black was in trouble in his rink but won the last five or six ends to bring it back to a 21-17 loss.
Mahoney’s rink lost 17-15 to Mark Casey in the rink that was called off before the end, having been close all day.
Roberts said there had been a lot of support for their supporters who had made the trip across to Dandenong to watch the grand final.
“There was a great turnout and a lot of support,” he said. “There was a big party on the green with members.”
The Bulldogs will now play off in the state titles in April in Moama.
He said they were looking forward to that event and any success there would be a bonus.
“The state finals are only 12 players not 16, so we will have to rejig the sides,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to that and will give it our best shot.”
