The Vics suffered a 96-92 loss to Ocean Grove in the Ballarat-Geelong District Premier Division grand final at Eastern Park on Sunday.

Grove was forced onto the back foot for much of the day and trailed late before finding three shots on the last of 100 ends to level the scores at 91-91 and force the match into extra play.

Eventually, the cream rose to the top as the champions picked up five shots to the Vics’ two in the extra four ends.

Victoria selector Barry Clark said his side was “gutted” after the loss, but reserved high praise for his players, who “played out of their skins” to press the side that dominated the division all year.

“No one deserves to lose a game like that, but unfortunately’ someone has to in a final,” he said.

“I’m very proud of them. They’ve done a tremendous job and we’ve had a great year, but sometimes it just comes down to one ball. We had our chances and we took it right up to them.”

The fluctuating match saw Victoria establish a 10-shot lead at the break, before slipping eight shots down shortly after and rallying to gain the edge in the final 15 ends.

Clark said the Vics dropped a “bad number” in the closing stages of play, allowing Grove back into the match at a crucial time.

The two sides split the rinks, with Ocean Grove skipper Matt Flapper downed by Jarrod Burt by 24-22.

Clark’s rink beat Mick West’s four 24-22, while Grove’s Craig Hodges got the better of Brenton Coad’s rink, 26-24.

Ryan Tainton’s rink proved to be the major difference between the two, with his four beating Wes Lennecke’s team 26-20.

Ocean Grove had beaten Victoria convincingly in the first three encounters of the season, and Clark paid tribute to the effort required to buck the growing trend.

“I can’t underestimate how well the boys played,” Clark said. “To turn that around (the margin of prior losses) today was a great effort. It was a big effort.

“I’m a bit disappointed, but (we can) hold our heads high and try and avenge it next season.”

michael.pollock@fairfaxmedia.com.au