Victoria’s top division weekend and midweek pennant champions converged on the border to stake their claim, and the Redlegs, champions in the midweek edition last year, made a hot start to become the first GVPA winner in seven years.
The Redlegs rolled Colac 47 shots to 25 before adding Lakes Entrance (41-32) and Karingal (42-37) to the list of day one victims, notching a 16-shot win over Traralgon in the penultimate section two clash.
That result booked Tally in for a do-or-die final round clash against an unbeaten Moonee Valley, with the winner proceeding to the decider.
As the competition discovered, however, the Metro Premier Pennant champion was a bridge too far to conquer.
A gallant Redlegs forced Moonee Valley to stage a comeback 51-38 victory, with the latter claiming the top gong against Ocean Grove in the final.
Tallygaroopna skip Mark Ryan was nevertheless pleased with his club’s efforts on the big stage and paid tribute to the travelling broccoli army.
“It was up to that last game of our sectional play to see if we could make the grand final,” Ryan said.
“We were in front against Mooney Valley after halfway. Their skips played amazing just to get them over the line.
“Our team played exceptionally well, and the support up there was huge.
“I think it's probably one of the best sides I’ve ever played with going into that State Pennant situation.
“It’s hard - you’ve got to drop four out of your top 16, but then again it makes you very condensed and strong.
“Overall, as a club we shone pretty brightly up there at Moama.”
The bowls action doesn’t stop there for Tally duo Mitch Sidebottom and Carla Miles.
The Redlegs pair have been picked to compete in this weekend’s City vs Country pathway clash at Bendigo, which effectively acts as a State Trial.
They’ll be joined by Moama quartet Kevin Anderson, Brock Keenan, Cameron Keenan, and Cassandra Millerick, while Cartwright siblings Josh and Olivia Cartwright will also take part.
Meanwhile, Tallygaroopna wasn’t the only club to fly the GVPA flag at the State Pennant Championships.
Midweek division one champion’s Euroa made their first foray after securing a memorable 2025-26 title, drawn in section one.
A first-up win over Sebastopol, 42 shots to 34, had the Euroa faithful up and about, but were held to a series of tight defeats in the remaining four games.
