Gallery | Terrific Tallygaroopna overcome Shepparton Golf in gripping GVPA weekend pennant grand final

It was Tally, however, who rose to the occasion in the thrilling finale after scores were level with five ends remaining, with the Mitch Sidebottom-skipped rink of Rod Still, David Turkovic, and Derek Anderson putting the icing on the cake of a famous 86-78 victory.

In claiming the 2025-26 Shield, Tallygaroopna also put the heartbreak of last year’s defeat behind them, and proud Redlegs’ skip Mark Ryan said it was a “perfect” way to end the season.

“It’s a really good feeling,” Ryan said.

“We’ve had a good year and finished on top, and to get the job done on the last day of the year was perfect.

“They gave it a real good surge and late in the game they just got their head in front of us.

“It could have been one of those ones where you just throw the flag up and say we did our best, but we went the complete opposite.

“We dug right in when it counted.”

With strong contingents behind the two competing clubs, the on green action didn’t disappoint.

Shepparton Golf’s Brent Reiner and Tallygaroopna’s David Daws engaged in an entertaining first rink, with Reiner’s four escaping with a one-shot victory.

John Gribble overturned a five-shot deficit to claim the only other winning rink for Golf 22-13, but Mark Ryan kept the Redlegs ticking along with a 23-17 triumph over Kris Ferguson.

Still, Golf kept coming.

Sidebottom and Orr remained the final rink to play, going blow-for-blow before the latter helped retake the lead by a single shot on the 80th end of the game.

The Redlegs’ quartet kept their cool – Sidebottom clinched nine shots to none on the final four ends to claim the rink 28-16 and, more importantly, the premiership for Tallygaroopna.

“We were all square with four ends to go in the Mitch Sidebottom rink against arguably the best bowler in the state Brad Orr,” Ryan said.

“For that rink to perform as well as they did, Derek Anderson and David Turkovic were unbelievable in the last four ends.

“It was a fantastic finish.”

Ryan also paid tribute to the green travelling support, saying a “united” supporter base helped the side get across the line.

“We’re really united,” he said.

“We had a strong fanbase on Saturday which was huge. It really pushed our team over the line.

“Couldn’t have been prouder of the club.”

Once again the premiers of the Goulburn Valley Playing Area, the club’s attention now turns to Wednesday evening and a showdown against Numurkah Golf in the Goulburn Murray Bowls Region pennant championship.

The winner will progress to the state pennant championship against premiers from across the state, with the clash set to take place at Cobram Bowls Club on Wednesday, March 11 from 6pm.