The club triumphed in windy conditions at Sebastopol, beating Central Wendouree by 16 shots.

Buninyong won three rinks on the day, with skippers Brian Wilcock, Michael Storey and Neil Innes all prevailing. John Quick was the only successful skipper for the Bears, which had their hopes of a division one midweek/weekend pennant double dashed at the final hurdle.

Sunday’s triumph capped a big year for the Buninyong side, which finished the home and away rounds on top of the ladder and then won through to the grand final by beating Ballarat East.

Buninyong president Wayne Morgan, who played in Sunday’s victory, said the mission had been completed.

“Basically as soon as we knew we were going back to division one, we set ourselves that goal (to get promoted),” Morgan said.

“We didn’t realise it was going to be as quick as one year, but the goal was to get back up there.

“We really enjoyed it (in premier), we want to play in the best division we can. That has ticked that box.”

Season 2017-18 was Buninyong’s first back in division one after being relegated from the premier league at the end of the 2016-17 campaign.

Central Wendouree president and skipper Col Wright said it was a disappointing result, but conceded Buninyong was the better team on the day.

“I’m proud of the club and proud of the way the boys went about it and that’s all we can do,” Wright said.

Ballarat District Bowls Division weekend pennant premiers for grades 2-9 were decided on Saturday.

Winners were Smeaton (division two), Clunes (division three), Ballarat (division four), Bungaree (division five), Sebastopol (division six), Creswick (division seven), Ballan (division eight) and Waubra (division nine).

The Geelong-Ballarat Premier Bowls preliminary final between Queenscliff and Ocean Grove was postponed on Saturday due to a total fire ban being declared in that region.

It is set to be played this coming Saturday, with the winner to then take on Bareena in the grand final the following day.