Simone Sewell, Allison Bell and Danielle Walker joked on Thursday about winning a prestigious team event such as the June Gillivour Salver.

As relative newcomers to competitive golf, the team from The Sands laughed off the prospect.

“We said that would never happen to us, not one of these events,” Allison recalled.

So the trio visited Portarlington on Friday, played well individually, yet still thought the time-honoured silver salver was out of their reach, not even tallying their scores in the team stableford format because “we just didn’t think we had enough”, Simone said.

But sure enough, as they savoured their post-round lunch, their names were called as champions – and their shock was plain for all to see.

“I just can’t believe it – we’ve only been playing properly for a year and a half,” Simone said.

“We’re very shocked. I’m probably not sure why, because we all had nice rounds, but it’s just a huge surprise, really. It’s made a nice day really fantastic.”

Simone anchored the team with 34 points and Allison, who grew up in Portarlington, contributed 26 to the cause.

But as is always the case on reflection, the team was able to pinpoint the moment that made the magic possible – a birdie on the long third hole by Danielle en route to her tally of 28.

“It was my last hole and, as it turned out, they were the points that got us over the line … even though I had no idea at the time,” she beamed.

Their 88 points relegated two Portarlington teams to the lower rungs of the podium with Jen Edmanson, Joy Francis and Shauna Gray runners-up with 86.

But after Portarlington captain Angela Royal explained the remarkable achievements of June Gillivour to the 20 competing teams from around the SWGA, it was almost poetic that Allison and her team had their breakthrough win.

“It was actually June who introduced me to the game back in the day. I remember her showing me what to do one time and opening my eyes to golf … so it’s amazing to win her trophy.”

Local star Jan Cogger was the champion of the A Grade individual section with 34 points, while the day’s best individual score belonged to B Grade champion Karyn Martin, of East Geelong, with 35 points.

Angela paid tribute to all who helped organise and run the day, particularly resident professional Matt Milne for his logistics and sponsorship.

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Forget Caddy Shack, the Portarlington junior pennant team is golf’s true “Cinderella story”.

From out of nowhere, a bunch of mates who hadn’t played a match of pennant between them just a month ago, are now the Ford Cup champions of the SWGA region, joining the 2010 team for only Port’s second victory in 54 editions of the cup.

The story had its final crazy chapter written on Sunday when Will English took his turn as hero, coming from 4-down with six holes to play to snare the winning point on the final hole with a nett birdie.

Will gave Portarlington its winning third point, the key moment in a spirited yet polite battle with Curlewis, eventually winning 3.5-1.5 on the opponent’s home course.

The team – Will, Cooper McMurrich, Solomon Harvey, Buckley Hickey, Jackson McGrath and Ethan Hughes, who nobly took his turn to sit out in the final in his stride – and their jubilant supporters knew the winning point had been claimed.

But they politely delayed celebrations until Jackson halved the final match in another great finish.

“It’s an enormous achievement by the boys,” said team manager and dual club champ Angela Foott.

“They’ve got a way about them in terms of winning, that’s for sure. But they generally just showed what you can do when you’re having fun out there and enjoying yourself.

“Plus the way they escaped trouble the past few weeks was unbelievable.”

After a wash-out in Round 1 forced Port to share the points with Barwon Valley, there was no wriggle room in a short season.

But a handy win against Clifton Springs was followed by two remarkable comeback wins against 13^th Beach and Geelong to raise the Trevenen Shield last week to advance to face Curlewis in the big dance.

In those matches, Buckley was the hero, twice winning on the 18^th hole having trailed late.

But on Sunday, it was Will’s turn to shine under pressure.

With super caddie Phil Stephens on the bag, Will was in a world of pain trailing promising Curlewis youngster Noah Schammer by four holes with six to play.

But in the blink of an eye, Will won four on the bounce and halved the 17^th to set up a grandstand finish.

Will played the hole masterfully and, getting a shot on handicap over his opponent, found his par enough to nab Port’s third point.

Earlier, Cooper had a great tussle with Max Burn before saluting 2&1 and Solomon impressed in toppling Chelsea Cummins 4&3.

Buckley couldn’t revive his heroics, going down 5&3, but then had the joy of watching his mates do to him what he’d done for them in weeks past.

Jackson had been 3-up against Aidan Burns, who lit up late and charged home. But the Port youngster rose on the last and held firm to halve the match.

Associate professional and coach Max Edmanson, himself a part of a Portarlington Trevenen Shield winning team eight years ago, said the bond his charges had was a key reason for the triumph.

“They had a really good spirit as a team – they became closer during the season and really supported each other,” Edmanson said.

“I’m not sure how they did it each week when they were trailing, but they just found a way to hang in and get the job done.

“The club should be really proud of them – they’ve all got a sense of determination and resilience which is pretty cool.”

Edmanson said the team was already planning on having some more coaching through their summer holidays.

“I think they’re really looking forward to next season already and seeing if they can build from here and maybe do it all again.”