mmg.com.au

Mathoura Bowls Club added to its division two midweek championship by claiming the Campaspe Valley Bowls Division titles in divisions four and five on Saturday.

It was the first time two teams from Mathoura had competed in the grand final in the same season, let alone won them.

Division four proved too strong for minor premier Moama to win 84-56 at City of Echuca, while division five defeated Rich River White 53-38, also at Echuca.

Like City of Echuca in divisions two and three, both Mathoura teams finished the season in second place but performed when it counted.

Mathoura committee president Joe Murphy said it was a thrilling result for the club.

‘‘It’s very fulfilling because we’re only a small club,’’ he said.

‘‘It certainly gave the club a lift. The players played a very good game in both divisions on Saturday and were never headed.

‘‘They improved a lot on their performance in the semi-final.’’

Both teams won their semi-finals to avoid a preliminary knockout final and advanced to the grand final.

Murphy said the division four team was lucky to qualify for the grand final after defeating Moama on the last bowl in the semi-final.

‘‘Thankfully there was no such recurrence of that in the grand final,’’ Murphy said.

‘‘Winning those semi-finals gave both divisions the impetus to have confidence and go and play better in the grand final.‘‘They were determined when challenged and able to compete and win it.’’The committee president said for the club to claim three premierships from the midweek and Saturday pennants was an enormous feat.

‘‘It’s great for our club to have three championships,’’ he said.

‘‘We are on a bit of a roll now, which bodes well for the future.

‘‘A lot of the players would have been playing in their first grand final and a lot of them have never won the premiership before, so it’s very satisfying for the bowlers.’’