Mt Xavier claimed the division one title 5-2 against the defending champion over 36 holes at Buninyong on Sunday.

Midlands entered the final as the form team after dominating the home and away rounds, but it was Mt Xavier who better acclimatised to Buninyong’s layout.

Winning captain Tim Steele comfortably beat Kyle Haase 4-3 and Mick Innes defeated Chris Vanderhorst 3-2, while Steve Anderson accounted for Simon De Zoete 6-5.

Midlands’ Brett Kerry and Corey Haase squared with Jason Slater and Bevan Morton.

However, the catalyst for the victory came via Darren Bowman, who beat Craig Boucher 2-1 in the feature match.

Bowman found himself three down after four holes, before rallying to finish square at the midway point, then sinking Midlands’ hopes in the afternoon session.

He led Boucher two-up with two holes remaining, before sticking a six-iron to four feet on the par-three 17th to ensure the win.

“It was the best shot I’d hit all day,” Bowman said.

“I hit a full six iron in the morning that went about 15-foot long, and I thought if I take a little bit off it will be perfect.

“I knew it was tight, I thought it would probably come down to our match.

“We had three up at that stage. I thought if I got up, then the team probably would and that’s what happened.”

Rob Wallace performed admirably for Midlands with a huge 7-6 win over Matt Ryan.

It was the third year in a row the two clubs have vied for the division one flag, with both also involved in the last six championships.

Midlands claimed division one titles in 2011, 2012 and 2014 as well as a tie with Buninyong in 2010, while Mt Xavier took the 2009 and 2013 editions.

Steele labelled his side a “good champion team” after it secured its first win of the season on neutral soil.

Meanwhile, Buninyong claimed the men’s division five, four and two flags, while Midlands took the division three championship and women’s weekend title with a 3-2 win over Ballarat.

michael.pollock@fairfaxmedia.com.au