Altona is the first side into the Bowls Victoria premier division grand final after beating off a stern challenge from Bundoora RSL in the major semi-final at Buckley Park Bowls Club on Saturday.
The A’s entered the game as warm favourites after spending most of the summer on top of the ladder on the way to the minor premiership.
And the match went according to script, with Altona winning 82-71, although the rinks were split two apiece.
“It was a fantastic game, but I always thought we were going to win,” A’s skip Mathew Rennex told Star Weekly.
It’s a long time between drinks for Altona, who will have a shot at a first premiership since going back-to-back in 2006-07.
“They were a powerhouse through the late 1990s and early 2000s, so you could say it’s probably a big drought for the club,” said Rennex, who has never played in a grand final. The 23-year-old will try to contain
his excitement and keep it as low-key as possible.
“I’ll be nervous, but I’ll just try to take it as it comes, take it as another game.”
Altona was keen to avoid the long route via the preliminary final and did so on the back of a stunning performance from Brad Peck’s rink.
Peck came from behind to win in a canter 31-15.
“He was down about 10-6 early and then piled on the shots against a really good player,” Rennex said. “It most definitely helped us win the game.”
As important to the overall result was Shane Fordham’s rink, which limited the damage in losing to RSL’s in-form Brett Spurr.
Fordham fought back from 10 down to lose by just one shot.
“You could throw the towel in and lose by over 10 and we lose the game overall, but he stuck at it and did well to lose by just one,” Rennex said.
Rennex had a 22-18 victory over Nick McIntyre, but player-coach Brett Foley was beaten 21-13 by Damon Di Florio.
The A’s’ grand final opponent will be the winner of Saturday’s preliminary final between Bundoora RSL and Essendon.
But there will be no favourable result for the A’s as both will present a tough match-up in the season decider.
“You’ve got to turn up and play good on the day,” Rennex said.
“If you don’t do that, you’ll probably get beat against those sides.”
