WERRIBEE RSL will compete in the prestigious Premier Division of the Royal Victorian Bowls Association next season.
The Bees recorded a thrilling five-shot win over Sunbury in the Division One final on Saturday, which has earned them promotion into the top division.
The team was relegated from Premier competition three years ago.
The final at Keilor came down to the last bowl of the day with Brendan Barker the hero for Werribee RSL.
The Bees held three shots on the scoreboard, but were four shots down at the head before Barker took the final bowl.
He played a full-blooded shot which took the kitty into the ditch, gaining two shots for his team and winning the premiership by five shots, 93-88.
Mark Colless, who played third for Mick O’Neil’s rink, said it was a stunning way to win a final.
“To come down to the last bowl of the day in a grand final and to win is pretty special,” he said.
“All the guys were pretty excited and the celebrations were great on Saturday night.
“It’s good to be back into the Premier Division and hopefully we can stay put.”
Ben Major also played a significant role in the triumph with a 25-15 rink win over rival skip Brett Foley, with team-mates Rob Casey, Colin Gee and Don Grellet also bowling well.
