mmg.com.au

A game is never over until it is over.

Just ask Shepparton Park Two’s triumphant Goulburn Valley Bowls Division midweek pennant division two side.

The Parkers were 18 shots up at one stage before grand final opponent Seymour rattled off 26 of the next 33 shots in a withering burst to be one ahead with one end to play.

Seymour skipper Jan Nichols had just picked up two shots to snatch the lead and just her rink battle with Val Bourke was left to finish.

It seemed Seymour’s charge would continue when Nichols’ lead Di Staples landed two bowls close to the kitty, only for Bourke’s second Ailsa Smith to displace the kitty for two Shepparton Park shots.

But Nichols cut the Parkers’ advantage to one before Bourke’s final bowl fell short to leave the teams locked on 72 shots.

Cue the drama — and some clutch Shepparton Park bowling on the extra ends.

Parkers skipper Moira Smith was the first to step up, drawing her bowl within inches of the kitty and claimed shot when rival Wilma Atkins’ attempt missed.

Smith even performed an impromptu jig. Shepparton Park by one. Then came an even bigger moment.

Smith’s fellow skipper Jean Roulston, down at least three shots, was accurate with her weighted bowl and received a deflection to pinch shot.

Parkers by two.

There was little between the sides on the middle rink and the chance for three match-winning Seymour shots — or even two to tie — never eventuated.

Another measure took place, but only to decide which of the teams had shot. Seymour won that one, but Shepparton Park hung on for a one-shot victory.

Parkers side captain Nancy Pomeroy was overjoyed.

‘‘It is unbelievable, seeing as we came from just making the finals and won two finals before this by small margins and to win today by an even smaller margin is great,’’ Pomeroy said.

‘‘It was good (being so close), because it proves we’re all on a par and you’ve got to really concentrate rather than just getting away with an easy match.’’

Pomeroy said she and her Shepparton Park teammates hoped to play in division one next season.