Allan Matheson Shield | Gallery | Shepparton Park impresses with class win over Kyabram
There was another twist in the Allan Matheson Shield on Saturday, with Shepparton Park securing an impressive road win over Kyabram.
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Park blew the home side out of the water with a class 18-100 to 0-72 performance in round 11 of the Goulburn Valley Playing Area season.
It was a momentous result in the context of the season, with Park now inside the top four on the division one ladder.
Shepparton Park coach Paul Nichols was over the moon with how his charges performed at the weekend.
“It was the first time this season that all 16 players were at the top of their game,” Nichols said.
“Everybody bowled really well and it was great to have all four rinks come away with wins.”
Nichols highlighted the remarkable turnaround from skip Denis Smyth.
Down by 15 shots at the break, Smyth and his rink members fought back to clinch a narrow 24-23 triumph over Paul McInnes.
Jeff Boyle, fresh off his stellar performance against Tatura-Hill Top, stepped up into the skip role for the absent Paul Warren.
Boyle continued his hot streak with a 24-16 win over Kyabram’s gun skip Glenn Fields.
Park’s Josh Warren performed strongly with a 26-22 victory, while Nichols’ rink shined bright with its 26-11 outing.
Nichols praised the performance of Smyth and Boyle and highlighted the efforts of quiet achiever Paul Becroft.
“That was a really good comeback from Denis’ rink,” Nichols said.
“Jeff did a great job filling in for Paul Warren too. And Paul (Becroft), who leads in my rink, has been outstanding all season.
“He has flown under the radar a bit, but he deserves some recognition for his performances. He does nothing wrong.”
The win over Kyabram gives Shepparton Park a 12-point buffer on East Shepparton and a 19-point gap on Tatura-Hill Top.
But with three rounds still to play, Nichols understands the job isn’t done yet.
“It was an excellent win, but we have still got to keep winning games because East and Tatura-Hill Top are still there breathing down our necks,” he said.
Around the greens, East Shepparton secured an important 18-112 to 0-74 victory over Stanhope.
The Eagles had a day out on their home deck with all four rinks getting the job done.
Skips Wayne (30-17) and John Gribble (25-18) led from the front, while fellow skips Geoffrey Beattie (29-18) and coach Brent Reiner (28-21) secured vital points.
With the win East Shepparton jumps up into fifth spot on the ladder.
Tallygaroopna defeated Tatura-Hill Top 16-118 to 2-91.
Tally bounced back in superb style from the previous weekend’s loss to Shepparton Golf to seal a 27-shot triumph.
Matt Robertson kicked things off for the Redlegs with a 34-14 win, followed by teammates Liam Crapper (35-18) and Mitch Sidebottom (29-24).
Bulldogs coach Brendon Boyd was at his best in the loss.
Boyd claimed a classy 37-20 rink win over David Daws.
Lastly, Shepparton Golf walked away with the points following a forfeit from Euroa.
Sports Editor