Sport
7 March, 2024
Highland takes all three lawn bowls flags on offer with success in tense midweek decider
It was a rollercoaster ride which could have gone either way going into the final end of the game, but it was Highland Tartan who took the midweek premiership on Tuesday with a 58-50 win over Dunolly Blue, ensuring they would complete the sweep of...
It was a rollercoaster ride which could have gone either way going into the final end of the game, but it was Highland Tartan who took the midweek premiership on Tuesday with a 58-50 win over Dunolly Blue, ensuring they would complete the sweep of all the lawn bowls premierships for season 2023/24.
Coming into the game as warm favourites thanks to three wins over Dunolly Blue over the balance of the season, Highland Tartan looked set for a big afternoon when they established a huge lead in the early stages, clearing out and leading by 14 shots across the first 21 ends.
In particular, it was Michael Fryar’s rink which provided plenty of impetus early on, taking the first 11 shots of their game against Alan Weir.
However, to Dunolly Blue’s credit, they were able to roar back into the game, and some good shotmaking from Tony Galofaro on his rink was key to the reigning premiers closing the gap.
At just past the halfway point, Dunolly Blue had closed the gap to three shots, trailing 39-36, and it was anyone’s game.
But a combination of good shot making in the late stages from Greg Shay’s rink, which added the last four shots of their game to take victory, as well as Fryar maintaining his lead over Weir’s rink, ensured Highland Tartan maintained the lead throughout the day.
Going into the 63rd end, Highland Tartan led by five shots, and still required some good bowling from Fryar’s team to take the premiership.
Despite Weir forcing a dead end, and all bowlers having to bowl again, it was Fryar which took a three to ensure Highland would take victory by eight shots.
Fryar and third Leanne Wallis shone on their rink, helping them take a 26-13 win over Weir, while Shay took a 19-15 win over James Smith. The only hiccup for Highland Tartan was Andrew Brumby losing 13-22 to Galofaro.
Highland Tartan side manager Tilleke Wadeson was thrilled with the result, ensuring the sweep across the year after both Highland Tartan and Highland Red took the Saturday pennant division one and two premierships on the weekend.
“Everybody played really well, and held up their own spots. The weekend was the same deal, they all played well together and that is the main thing,” she said.
“Everyone has played really well across the whole season. We had a few people in and out of the team, but they have all held up their own ends, and it all worked out well.
“We were a bit disappointed that we couldn’t get the midweek premiership last year, so we were determined to get that third premiership for the season.
“The Saturday pennant teams gave us some inspiration, and had some very tight games during the finals. It helped us get up and determined to get a result.”
Wadeson admitted there were some nerves as Dunolly Blue closed the gap, given they had won the 2022/23 premiership in similar fashion.
“It’s never over until the last bowl. Dunolly were always going to come back, they took a little while to get going, but they certainly gave us a good run for our money,” she said.
“The overall score could have gone either way. Andy Brumby didn’t quite get it done, but he stayed close enough to give the other two rinks a chance to bring it home.”
Wadeson paid tribute to Fryar and Wallis, who helped give Highland Tartan the impetus with their shot-making in the early stages, which was key to establishing a fast start.
“Leanne Wallis is a beautiful bowler, and so is Michael Fryar. They bowl really well as a team — if one didn’t get it, the other one did. Our opposition did give us a hard time sometimes, but we did well,” she said.
Wadeson said with all three premierships secured, the goal is to hold on to them next season.
“It’s great for the club as a whole. Hopefully next season, if the players stick around, we can have another crack at it,” she said.
