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Sport

4 March, 2024

Highland Red completes dominant season with 23-shot win in division two grand final

Highland Red capped off a dominant campaign with a 23-shot victory over a gallant Talbot Brown, with the scoreline only blowing out late. For much of the day, Talbot Brown were very much in contention, and the premiership was still up for grabs with...

By Michael Thompson

The victorious Highland Red, division two premiers for 2023/24.
The victorious Highland Red, division two premiers for 2023/24.

Highland Red capped off a dominant campaign with a 23-shot victory over a gallant Talbot Brown, with the scoreline only blowing out late.

For much of the day, Talbot Brown were very much in contention, and the premiership was still up for grabs with 10 ends left.

But as Highland Red has done all season long, they were able to break down Talbot Brown with some terrific, disciplined bowling late, and eventually stormed home to claim their premiership.

It was a reflection of Highland Red’s dominance from round five onwards, winning all bar one of their games by double digits, and enjoying an average winning margin of 27.2 shots.

Talbot Brown looked to make a number of changes for Saturday’s grand final from their semi-final clash two weeks ago, moving Barb Crossley to a rink against Lawrie Barry and Steven Murray to a rink against Tony Lacey.

It was a good move for Crossley, who enjoyed a 20-17 win against Barry, but it would be Talbot Brown’s only win of the day.

Instead, it was Highland Red side manager Albert Spencer which took control of the game for his team, with his crew defeating Darren McCleary 30-12.

Lacey wrapped things up with his 20-12 win over Murray to ensure the premiership would go Highland Red’s way.

Spencer was ecstatic, even if there were some nerves at times.

“We have been in-form, but you never know on the day. Last time we met, I was beaten on my rink, but I played well,” he said.

“It’s just being more consistent and drawing bowls, which is the name of the game.

“We got them on the run and about midway through, we dropped a five. We said this wasn’t going to happen — the last time we did that, they beat us, and we wanted to make it our day. Our three teams bowled really well.”

Spencer said a Thursday night casual roll with Highland Tartan helped get both clubs up and about for Saturday’s game.

“We came out on Thursday and had a roll with the Tartans, which helped, and we were more switched on this time,” he said.

While the numbers suggested Highland Tartan enjoyed a dominant season after their round three loss to Carisbrook by 30 shots, Spencer quickly pointed out that it was the preparation for his club which allowed them to establish themselves as the season’s best team.

“I don’t think it’s a matter of turning the wick up. That Carisbrook game was a windy day, it’s a very fast surface and we couldn’t handle it,” he said.

“Besides that, most of the teams bowled fairly well through all the greens we played on. Highland has a grass green and a synthetic green, which makes it fairly easier to practice if we’re going to a synthetic green.”

Spencer paid tribute to all around the club, especially those that missed out on selection on the day.

“A few guys missed out who could’ve been there, but the whole club together got us to where we are this season,” he said.

“It’s difficult having two teams in first division, as there can only be one winner. In second division, the Reds went down and the Whites went up, so it was all in the ability in the players to produce again.

“The whole Highland club pulled together, it worked out and we had two teams in a grand final and we both won, which was good.”

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