Grove closes in on latest flag
OCEAN Grove (1) will vie for back-to-back premierships after winning its way through on Saturday to this season’s decider.
The Grovers booked the first place in the March 29 Premier Division bowls grand final by clinching a 96-83 win over Eastern Park at Torquay Bowls Club.
Ocean Grove coach Matt Flapper praised the efforts of Mick West and Brad Pavey in the victory.
West set the tone for the day with a 32-17 result and Pavey put in an admirable effort in a 20-25 defeat.
“(Mick) got out to 11-1 early stages and just maintained that. I think he led 16-3 and 24-9 … and run out 15-shot winners,” Flapper said.
“That was crucial for the other three rinks, which were pretty tight most of the day.
“Brad Pavey, he did a really good job.
“He came from 20-6 down to only lose by five so he had a big finish to the game.
“Between the two rinks — Brad’s comeback and Westy’s control through the game was crucial overall.”
Ocean Grove claimed last season’s Geelong-Ballarat Premier Bowls premiership and will contend for consecutive titles when it meets the winner of this weekend’s Eastern Park-Queenscliff preliminary final.
Queenscliff eliminated Bareena from the flag race with a 108-90 victory in the knockout final. Flapper said his side again wanted to taste grand final glory.
“In the past we’ve been in a position where when we’ve had success for one year (then) we sort of go through a rebuild,” he said.
“We lose four or five players and we pick up four or five players and we go through that whole stage again of building compatibility.
“We’ve gone through that period again but since Christmas, we’ve just jelled as a side and everything has clicked and worked.
“The form has been good and another grand final so it’s good to be able to back that up.”