Shepparton Golf boasts this year’s winner of the Goulburn Valley Bowls Men’s State Triples event after finals were held Sunday at Tatura Bowls Club.
Overcoming a Tatura trio rolling on its home turf was the Golf combo of Kris Ferguson, Brent Reiner and Wayne Dagger, who now earn a place in the future regional playoff against Murray competition.
Ferguson, the current Golf coach in the Goulburn Valley Playing Area Allan Matheson Shield, was again at the forefront of success.
No stranger to a winning culture in his own right is ex-Kyabram boss Reiner, who came across from the Bombers to don the blue and gold under home club rules, making an immediate impact.
Meanwhile, Dagger has already formed plenty of chemistry alongside Ferguson as the third to the boss’ skip in both Matheson Shield games to date, including a rink win together the day prior against Tatura-Hill Top.
The 3-20 to 0-15 result was a welcome step on a familiar journey from Reiner, who repeats as triples champion after his exploits in the red and black last year.
“Last season, myself, David and Josh (Cartwright) were runners-up in the nationals in Joondalup after we won the state triples, so this is a follow-up for me,” Reiner said.
“It was the pinnacle of my bowls career so far.
“I don’t think the others had won it before this year, but to go out and represent a new club and have a victory was really good.
“Every game is a 50-50, but we’re quietly confident we can get that done against a Murray side and get over to Bendigo come state week to represent the region as best we can at that level.
“If we can get there and take one win at a time to potentially go for a state title, that would be lovely.”
It’s a hybrid situation for Reiner this season with limited availability for Golf given his primary commitments to Bundoora.
Without knowing exactly how often he’ll be able to feature in the Goulburn Valley frame, Reiner is certainly hopeful his blue and gold success is far from over.
“That’s going to be a bit harder in terms of when I can and can’t play for Golf,” Reiner said.
“I’m back this weekend and, at this stage, I think I’ll be playing six pennant games.”