In form … Paul Dorgan headed one of Altona’s winning rinks on Saturday. 54186 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By Luke D’Anello
ALTONA booked a berth in the Royal Victorian Bowls Association (RVBA) Premier Division preliminary final after a systematic 25-shot win against Essendon on Saturday.
The A’s will next meet Moonee Ponds, with the winner to face reigning premier Clayton in the season-decider.
Shane Fordham’s team claimed three of four rinks in the 104-79 victory at Doncaster and the club captain rated the performance among his side’s best this season.
Fordham always expected Essendon to mount a fightback but, to his relief, Altona never let go of the momentum.
“It was fairly level for probably the first quarter of the match. But in the second quarter, up until the half-time break, we sort of put the foot down a little bit,” Fordham said.
“We were just waiting for that challenge. But yesterday it just didn’t come. We maintained the lead all the way and I think the closest they got back to was (within) 10 (shots).
“Given what was on the line, I’d say it was (one of Altona’s best wins of the season).
“It wasn’t that Essendon played bad or didn’t turn up, but every time they looked like wanting to make a charge, we just immediately squashed it. That’s a really, really good sign.
“I couldn’t see anywhere where there was a passenger. I don’t think there was anyone who would have walked away disappointed with the way they played.”
Former Tasmanian state skipper Brad Peck led the A’s best rink (31-21), while the foursomes led by Brenton Coad (25-16) and Paul Dorgan (27-19) were also outstanding.
Fordham’s rink went down by two shots, but it was a consummate team performance from Altona.
Fordham is also hopeful the confidence of Moonee Ponds will be dented after its 32-shot loss against Clayton in the major semi-final.
This season, the ledger between the pair is squared at one-all.
“We’re going to be coming off a good win and Moonee Ponds is going to be coming off a disappointing loss, so I give us a very good chance,” Fordham said.
“On paper, they have every right to start favourites. But, given that performance yesterday, hopefully we can get out of the blocks well next week and that hopefully puts a bit of doubt in their minds.
“If we can get them on the back foot early, I think that will put us in a really strong position to go on with it.
“Just the way that the season has turned around and the way results fell for us last week, I think there’s a fair bit of belief in the guys now.
“Hopefully there are a couple of good performances left in us.”
The preliminary final will be played at Burwood.
