Euroa celebrate a well-earned division one midweek pennant title.
From fourth to a flag.
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Euroa’s midweek pennant premiership victory had all the trimmings of a classic underdog story.
Set the task of beating the reigning premier to qualify for finals before surviving three sudden-death finals, the second-to-bottom finisher from last season executed the perfect turnaround to claim the division one premiership on Tuesday.
And it was some long-awaited silverware indeed, according to one club legend.
Euroa and Shepparton Park grappled for the Edna Harling Shield at Shepparton Golf Bowling Club a week after the original date for the decider was washed out.
Shepparton Park skip Kate Bush wrapped up a strong year by leading her rink to an 18-13 win over Shane Drysdale, but it’s as far as the Parkers’ winning touch would extend for the day.
Euroa skip Shane Holmes has been an invaluable addition to the side, and he proved that once again in the grand final, leading his four to a 21-12 triumph against Noel Halden.
Then came the winning blow.
The Bill Taylor-skipped quartet delivered the knockout with a 29-16 result that fired Euroa to an overall 63-46 victory, the first time it has conquered Shepparton Park all season.
Euroa's David Cerini lines up his shot.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton Park's Angelo Russo zeroes in.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Euroa's Shane Drysdale sets his eyes down the green.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton Park's Denis Smyth fires off a shot.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton Park's Kate Bush releases.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton Park's Ross Higgins makes his move.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Euroa's Charmaine Reid rolls on.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Euroa's Jan Sheargold.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton Park's Paul Warren executes a smooth release.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
With the Shield in hand and about four decades of knowledge behind him, Euroa legend and premiership winner Ken Sutcliffe provided the telling context.
“I've been here about 40 odd years… but I'm pretty sure it would be our first win for a long time in a division one grand final,” Sutcliffe said.
“The win was great for the club; we did reach finals this year in the weekend pennant as well, and our division three Saturday (pennant) won.
“We had a strong side, but Shepp Park have had the better of us throughout the year.
“We just seemed to gel a bit better and some of the players lifted for the grand final, which made a big difference.”
On a good, pacey green, Euroa proved they belonged in the grand final.
They had beaten reigning premier Tallygaroopna in the final round to qualify for finals before surviving do-or-die finals against Seymour and minor premier Shepparton Golf to make it to the final day.
“To go through and win it has been very good, and we’ve beaten some good sides to get there too,” Sutcliffe said.
“We beat Tally to get into the four, and then we played Seymour, (Shepparton) Golf, and Shepparton Park.
“We’ve won all those four to get to – and win - the grand final.
“It’s no fluke when you win those four.”
Euroa has proved itself time and time again, especially after finishing second last in the 2024-25 season.
Now, it can go one better.
A Goulburn Murray midweek pennant championship clash against Murray Playing Area champions Barooga awaits, with the Goulburn Valley premiers determined to extend their fairytale run.
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