After playing golf and cricket, 10 years ago Heffernan joined in corporate cup bowls at Terang and found himself a new summer sport.

Heffernan rose through the ranks and is now a key player in Terang Green’s push for division one Saturday pennant glory.

He said he enjoyed the competitive nature of the highest level of local bowls.

“I like playing against those top teams, you always learn a lot,” Heffernan said.

“I think you improve a little bit each time you play the really good sides, it’s a great challenge.”

Heffernan and his Terang Green teammates will get the challenge they are after when they take on Koroit Red at Koroit on Saturday.

The home side has been a permanent fixture in the finals in recent seasons, alongside competition heavyweights City Memorial Red and Warrnambool Gold.

Terang Green joined this trio in the finals last year, going down to Warrnambool Gold, the eventual premiers.

“Koroit Blue at Koroit is one of the toughest games of the season,” Heffernan said.

“These are the games we want to really test ourselves in and we need to win some of these to play finals again. We are going along alright, we lost Kevin Carlin to Warrnambool Gold, but we have picked up Danny Twaddle, who has come back to the club after playing in Warrnambool.” 

Koroit Blue is undefeated after two rounds while Terang Green is 1-1. 

In other round three matches, Port Fairy Red plays City Memorial Red, Mortlake Blue versus Dennington Red, City Memorial Gold is up against Warrnambool Blue and Warrnambool Gold hosts Timboon Gold.