THE Western District Bowls Division’s longest Saturday pennant rivalry is set to add another chapter to its illustrious history, as Warrnambool Gold and City Memorial Red meet for the 28th time in a top-grade grand final.
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Of the past 27 grand finals between the two sides, Warrnambool has won 17 times and City has collected 10 victories.
Since the WDBD began holding records in 1970 and not including this year, Gold has played in 36 and City Red 32 out of a possible 47 grand finals.
Warrnambool has won 24 out of the 36 it has featured in, while City has won 12 of its 32.
This will be Gold’s 25th consecutive top-grade decider having won 17 of the last 24, including a current streak of five consecutive victories.
Barry Crimmin, Robert Bell, Paul O'Donnell, Anthony Parkinson and Peter Pangrazio are the only players in Gold’s side to have played in the past five wins, with Crimmin saying he was eager for another go at claiming the Saturday pennant.
“Like in the last few grand finals I've been apart of, you’re always excited to play in them,” he said.
“With City being the benchmark this year, it’s going to be a tough encounter because of that and also as it’s going to be played on their home green too.”
City Memorial player Kevin McMahon is also no stranger to grand finals, having played in many of Red’s Saturday pennant deciders, and he still gets the normal pre-match nerves.
“I still get a bit of jittery before I get on the green,” he said.
“It’s like many sports you always are a bit toey before the match, but once the game gets going then you’re right.
“If you’re not a little bit jittery then you aren’t really pumped up for the match.”
Saturday’s final is shaping up to be another tight encounter, with both sides evenly matched when it comes to quality in their rinks.
The important rinks for Red to limit are that of Peter Pangrazio, who is one of the top-ranked skippers from the regular season, and Paul O’Donnell.
The rinks of David Wells and Kevin O'Keeffe will be critical for City’s chances of victory.
McMahon said the two sides made it difficult to predict who will come out on top.
“It’s even money between the two sides and it’s on our home green which is a bit of an advantage, but they have won the last five finals so that tells you a lot about their finals credentials,” he said. “I think it will be a tough game, as there was not much to split us earlier in the season.”
Sean Hardeman
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
