In the weekend’s undisputed game of the round, fast-rising Tatura-Hill Top welcomes undefeated powerhouse Shepparton Golf to Hill Top Bowls Club.
Tatura-Hill Top comes into the weekend positive in the win-loss column for the first time this season after stringing together two straight wins to reach 3-2.
Shepparton Golf saw off Tallygaroopna last weekend to stand alone at the top as the lone perfect side.
With a chasm forming between the upper five and lower three sides in this year’s pennant, Tatura-Hill Top ― with the rest of the league likely willing it on ― will attempt to do sides in the chasing pack a favour if it can pull the upset at home.
Golf’s Brad Orr sees a worthy challenge approaching.
“We don’t underestimate anyone we play and they’re playing good bowls at the minute,” Orr said.
“We’ve had some good wins over Kyabram and Tallygaroopna the last couple of weeks, but a fair bit of improvement is required.
“Our good bowls are good, but our bad bowls are still bad.
“If our front end sets us up, we can handle it. We just need the consistent effort across the board.”
Kyabram owns a winning record, but though sailing has been anything but smooth this season, it is coming in off two big wins across the past fortnight to sit fifth at 3-2.
Meanwhile, Tallygaroopna still boasts the league’s best percentage despite the defeat to Shepparton Golf last weekend relegating it to a 4-1 record.
Kyabram will seek to stir up some much-needed momentum in its finals push by upending a favoured Tallygaroopna.
Coach Brent Reiner says his Kyabram side is putting its youth first this weekend.
“Although we’ve been inconsistent this season, to be within one shot of Shepp Golf with six or seven ends to go the other week, we’re not worried,” Reiner said.
“We just need a good performance from all 16 players; I think we’re very competitive with Tally on the back end.
“Josh Cartwright is skipping and Jacob Cartwright has moved up to play in the back end for his first division one game in that spot.
“We’re going for a youth policy this weekend. Nobody else fields as many players under 18 in division one.”
Allan Matheson Shield tips
Shepparton Park v Mooroopna
Tatura-Hill Top v Shepparton Golf
Tallygaroopna v Kyabram
East Shepparton v Euroa
Tyler Maher (News editor)
Shepparton Park, Shepparton Golf, Tallygaroopna, East Shepparton.
Last week: 2. Total: 15.
Brian Nisbet (After the Jack)
Shepparton Park, Shepparton Golf, Tallygaroopna, East Shepparton.
Last week: 4. Total: 18.
Ash Williamson (After the Jack)
Shepparton Park, Shepparton Golf, Tallygaroopna, East Shepparton.
Last week: 2. Total: 13.
Aydin Payne (News sports editor)
Shepparton Park, Shepparton Golf, Kyabram, Euroa.
Last week: 3. Total: 15.
Liam Nash (News sports reporter)
Shepparton Park, Shepparton Golf, Kyabram, East Shepparton.
Last week: 4. Total: 18.
Jesse Robertson-Torres (News sports reporter)
Shepparton Park, Shepparton Golf, Tallygaroopna, Euroa.
Last week: 3. Total: 14.
Elsewhere in pennant, Shepparton Park (4-1) could dare to dream with a share of the lead potentially on the line as it hosts sixth-placed Mooroopna (1-4).
With Tallygaroopna also set to host its tie with Kyabram at Shepparton Park while its greens are out of action, clubs will be acutely aware of results on the other side.
At the bottom of the table, someone’s winless run is virtually certain to end as East Shepparton (0-5) gears up for a cellar-dwelling clash with Euroa (0-5).
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