POWERHOUSE Warrnambool Gold is celebrating its fifth-straight premiership, downing arch-rival City Memorial Red to lift the prestigious Western District Bowls Division crown.
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The Timor Street force emerged with a 19-shot triumph to condemn its cross-town nemesis to its fourth grand final defeat in five years.
Skipper Ben Cornick, whose rink managed to wrangle a three-shot triumph from Red’s Kenny Bell, was delighted to take out his third straight premiership after crossing from Tasmania.
“My parents came over last week to surprise me, because I’m originally from Devonport, so they came in time for the grand final which was nice,” he told The Standard after the historic win.
“It was good that they got to see us win one, as well as the boys who have been here for a long time.
“It’s a great club to be a part of. The social side is great, but you’re always confident when you’re on the green. You’re with a great group of people who just push you to be better. You feel like you can win any game.”
Cornick said his side had to earn its victory after trailing in the early stages of the game.
“We actually trailed early on, the boys did a great job of fighting back to get our noses in front,” he said.
“Everyone played well in the rink and in the end it was good enough to get over the line.”
Peter Pangrazio’s rink was the only group to come away with a victory of more than five shots, with the other three all decided by less than four.
Despite its heartbreaking exit from division one in last weekend’s preliminary final, Koroit was celebrating after notching its second division two premiership in the last five years.
Team manager Barry Padgham said the premiership came on the back of a thrilling come-from-behind resurgence.
“These guys were behind right up until the last half a dozen or so ends, so it was a great comeback,” he said.
“I think at one stage they were 14 or 15 shots down, so to come back from there is outstanding.”
In division three, City Memorial Brown (71) emerged with premiership honours after downing Mortlake White (61).
Earnest Walsh’s rink notched the biggest win of the game, posting a total of 30 to beat their opponents.
In division four, Dennington pulled off its third grand final win of 2016-17 with a commanding 26-shot rout of Terang Blue.
“The turning point in the game was when we got a five, and Lozza Frewin’s rink got a six,” Dennington third Brian Thomas said.
“I thought it would go to the wire again, as it did the last time we played, but I was wrong."