mmg.com.au

City of Echuca claimed the division two and three Campaspe Valley Bowls Division titles on Saturday after both teams finished the season in second place.

Division two defeated minor premier Moama 93-78 on its home greens to claim its first premiership since the early 1980s.

Division three held off a fast-finishing Rich River to win 72-67 at home, its first title since 2008.

Echuca chairman of selectors and division three player Gerald Collins said the club was rapt with the outcome.

‘‘Division two have been in the grand final the last three years and lost, so it was a really big thing for those blokes,’’ he said.

‘‘Division three were beaten five times during the year, but got over Moama in the semi-final and then they (Moama) got toppled in the preliminary (final).

‘‘Rich River came at us towards the end, but we just hung on in the last few ends.’’

Collins said the division three players held their nerve towards the end as Rich River applied the pressure.

He congratulated all the players who helped the teams achieve the ultimate prize, particularly the division five players who rotated throughout the season.

‘‘You can’t always give them a game, but they’re definitely the backbone of the club,’’ Collins said.