Allan Matheson Shield | Gallery | Shepparton Golf returns to top of the mountain with grand final demolition of Kyabram

Twelve months ago many compared Shepparton Golf’s shock grand final loss to Tallygaroopna to the fall of Roman empire, as the club’s legendary run of six straight premierships was broken.

Golf had finally been knocked off its perch and a new era was set to take hold in the region’s top flight weekend pennant competition.

But on Saturday afternoon at Stanhope Bowls Club this legendary side proved its dynasty was far from over, as it crushed Kyabram by 35 shots to win a seventh division one premiership in eight years.

The performance was typical Shepparton Golf, as its seasoned campaigners stepped up across all four rinks to deliver the 18-115 to 0-80 blow to a Bombers unit that had caused it a myriad of issues across the season.

For coach Brett Foley, who steps away from the role after a perfect first season at the helm, the performance was his team’s masterpiece as he said all 16 players did their bit to secure the famous victory.

“It was such an awesome result, I said all year we’ve got to play as a 16 for 100 ends and today on grand final day of all days we finally did it,” Foley said.

“Losing last year and being the favourites going in it certainly hurt that we didn’t play our best on the big day, so for us the goal was just to give our best effort and we managed to do that this year which was pleasing.

“That was absolutely our best game for the season, we actually had not given too many teams a hiding this year, so to do it on the big day against the second best team it doesn’t get much better than that.”

Having won just four rinks against the Bombers across three matches this season, Golf knew it needed a much more rounded performance if it was to climb back to the top of the mountain.

And it was the efforts of John Gribble that were the catalyst for what ended up being arguably the club’s most dominant performance on grand final day.

Coming up against opposing skip Brent Reiner, who had bested him by a whopping 10 shots in the semi-final a fortnight ago, Gribble and his rink one crew produced a remarkable turnaround on the game’s biggest stage.

The only Golf rink to get away to a fast start, the efforts of Gribble truly set the foundation for the mauling, as he romped his way to a stunning 30-16 triumph.

“Johnny Gribble was just phenomenal for us,” Foley said.

“The boys in that rink had really struggled against Reiner in the first final and to get that lead early really lifted the team.

“They, without doubt, led from the front for us today, I asked them for a bit of an effort playing against Reiner and they delivered in spades.”

While Gribble was the fire-starter, it was Foley himself who ignited the flame and turned the match into a rout.

After falling behind 12-2 to a highly-talented Glenn Fields-led Bombers rink two squad, the outgoing Golf coach saw the opportunity to produce one final masterpiece for his team.

And he showed why he is regarded as one the region’s best skips, as he turned the early 10-shot deficit into a stunning 32-16 triumph.

Foley explained what changed in his rink and sparked the remarkable 30-4 run.

“We were 12-2 before we finally won an end and the game changed from there and I think we got the next 22 (ends) or something, it was a massive change in the momentum of the match,” he said.

“One big thing for us was the help ‘Orry’ (Brad Orr) gave us, when we were struggling he came over, settled us down and just showed how great of a leader he is.

“With all the rinks flying around us we also didn’t want to be the guys to let the team down and we showed great fight to take hold of the contest and never let go.”

Throw in tight victories for Orr (31-27) and Kristoffer Ferguson (22-21) and Golf became the only team to sweep the rinks against Kyabram this season, which after such an impressive season simply could not fire a shot on the game’s biggest stage.

Once the final bowl was delivered a celebration of all great things Golf took over the green at Stanhope, as the squad relished in its return to premiership glory.

But there was no storyline more powerful than that of Foley himself, as he clinched the perfect fairytale ending to his second stint at the club.

“It is always good to win a grand final, but to have one year at it (coaching) and achieve the ultimate goal is very satisfying,” he said.

“Leaving the club I feel like we are in a very good spot and with Orry taking over there are a lot more exciting times ahead for Shepparton Golf.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed coaching the club this year and to end the chapter on this note is very special.”