Byford Bowling Club’s Tuesday Third Division Pennant team has returned to a heroes’ welcome after a dream season.
On March 18, Byford faced off against Melville for the final game of pennants, and won all three games, maintaining the top rung of the ladder and securing first place in their colour division.
The win means that next season the team will progress to the Second Division.
But the team wasn’t done yet – the finals were calling.
The Championships were played over two thrilling days of bowls at Doubleview and Cambridge.
The Semi-Final Knockout between Byford and Osborne Park was a nailbiter, with both sides winning a rink each and drawing one.
An impassioned team of supporters kept morale high through the sweltering heat.
And at the end of play there were only two points in it.
Some expert jack placement, coupled with bowl after bowl expertly positioned around the shot meant it was Byford who emerged triumphant, winning all three match points and finishing up with a shot score of 58 to 56.
“The support from our spectators was absolutely awesome, and their enthusiastic cheering undoubtedly contributed to our victorious win,” one Byford team member said.
That win earned Byford a ticket into the Grand Final against Doubleview, who convincingly won their Semi-Final Knockout against Hilton Park.
Both teams rocked up early to Cambridge on the Wednesday for the Tuesday Pennant Finals, with play getting underway by 8.45am to beat the forecast heat.
And it was a tense match to watch for the Byford cheerleaders, with two rinks being taken by the Doubleview team.
Still, the Byford foursomes on Rink 1 and 2 had fought valiantly, only ceding a combined 12-shot difference across all games.
In the end, all eyes were on Rink 3, with Mark and Tracy Posa and Phillip and Patricia Collins absolutely slaying their opponents, defeating them 25 shots to 9 across the three games.
With such a remarkable margin, Byford swept the pool, winning all three match points, and finishing off 59 to Doubleview’s 55 shots.
Byford had taken the Third Division flag.
“What an awesome, awesome day it was. Everybody played their absolute best game and we came out on top and we were so elated,” one player said.
The Byford and Districts Country Club was just as ecstatic about the win: “A fantastic result and a proud moment for everyone involved. Congratulations to the team on an outstanding season.”
With a brand-new green, and a big win in the bag, the local community is excited to see what feats the Byford Bowling Club can accomplish next season.
