Sport
Gallery | East Shepparton upset sends shockwaves through Allan Matheson Shield
Followers of the Allan Matheson Shield were left in shock on Saturday evening when the results from Shepparton Golf Bowls Club went online.
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Many were in disbelief to see six-time reigning premier and previously undefeated outfit, Shepparton Golf, had suffered a 13-shot loss at the hands of East Shepparton.
The glorious and memorable 14-101 to 4-88 triumph for the Eagles has burst open the Goulburn Valley Playing Area weekend division one finals race.
East Shepparton’s stunning salute over the competition’s powerhouse has it draw equal on 101 points with fourth-placed Shepparton Park.
The Eagles’ mentor Brent Reiner said it was a milestone day for the club.
“It was a really exciting day for us; it was just a great team effort and one that I’m really proud of,” Reiner said.
“We were positive and upbeat before the game and then we found ourselves 19 shots up at the break. But they headed us late and got within four with 15 or something ends left.
“But everyone held on and we got over the line, which was outstanding.”
On a day when Golf was without its talented coach and spiritual leader Brad Orr, it was East’s own leader who stood up with a cracking performance.
Reiner and his rink of Tom Gribble, Darryn Carpenter and Mathew O’Connor dished out a whopping 34-13 result over Connor Trewren.
The 21-shot triumph, along with East skip Geoff Beattie and his 22-18 rink win, helped get the Eagles over the line.
Golf’s Brad Robinson (27-22) and Brett Foley (30-23) almost did enough to get their side to its 11th win of the campaign.
Ultimately, the day belonged to East Shepparton and Reiner said the eye-catching result would instil plenty of belief in his charges.
“That’s it, 100 per cent. That (win) should give us a world of confidence,” he said.
“We need to use this heading into the final two rounds.”
Around the greens, another major upset went down at Stanhope.
The home side knocked off Kyabram in a captivating 12-85 to 6-80 performance.
Stanhope talent Jamie Stokes registered an important 24-14 rink win over Kyabram’s Glenn Fields, with the remaining three rinks going the way of the Bombers.
Kyabram’s John Hausler (18-17), Paul McInnes (24-21) and Greg Shilling (24-23) got the job done for the away side.
Although Stanhope may not be able to reach finals, the result would have undoubtedly raised a few alarm bells in the Bombers’ camp.
Kyabram has now lost three of its past four matches and faces the top two outfits in the remaining rounds of the season.
Tatura-Hill Top kept its season alive with a 16-107 to 2-77 salute over Euroa.
The Bulldogs’ three winning rinks, Paul Newman (26-19), David Cartwright (27-16) and Peter Le Sueur (33-18), were instrumental in the win.
Lastly, Tallygaroopna secured a top-two spot on the ladder with a convincing win over Shepparton Park.
Following multiple shock wins Shepparton Park entered the match with its tail up.
However, Tally quickly asserted dominance on the contest to run out 16-104 to 2-76 winners.
Mitch Sidebottom was outstanding with a 31-14 rink triumph, while fellow skips Mark Ryan (20-17) and Liam Crapper (25-16) secured comprehensive wins.
Park’s Paul Warren ensured the home side walked away with some points with a tense 29-28 win.
Sports Editor