Bill West
Highlands pennant bowls is back! And Romsey and Trentham were the show stealers in the division one 2022-2023 opening round on Saturday.
The number of synthetic greens across the area proved their worth, and all matches were played across the three divisions apart from the two scheduled for Lancefield, where the grass surface was declared unplayable on Friday.
Thus the clash between reigning premier Lancefield and runner-up Kyneton Golf did not eventuate, with points shared.
Golf is without topliner Graham Edwards, but the inclusion of Lancefield’s all-time ‘great’ Peter Linehan (five times Champ of Champs) will surely be a fine replacement.
There are some interesting personnel changes across club, and Lancefield is pleased to welcome back quality players Aaron Young and Aaron Andrews after their stint in metro pennant.
Trentham has a very similar lineup to last season, and it was a big effort to win overall by nine shots against Kyneton – the match was played on the Romsey synthetic thereby avoiding a washout.
Although the Mark Smoljo and Neil Jamieson four were winners for Kyneton, it was Corey McKeone’s crew who steered Trentham home with a healthy margin against Garry Candy (ex-Gisborne).
Romsey want to improve on last season’s performance, and a 61-48 margin at Gisborne was a good sign for what lies ahead.
The unflappable Cam Austin won by 10 shots against Peter Williams, while David Beardmore prevented a clean sweep by the Redbacks.
In the remaining match Kilmore downed Broadford by 27 shots, and may become a finals prospect.
Match scores:
Gisborne 48 lost to Romsey 61 – D. Beardmore (s) 19 d M. Brundell 18, P. O’Farrell 16 lost to D. Ely 20, G. Candy 13 lost to C. McKeone 23. Trentham 63 d Kyneton 54 – H. Plias 21 lost to N. Jamieson 22, C. McKeone 29 d G. Candy 10, B. Mahar 13 lost to M. Smoljo 22. Kilmore 67 d Broadford 40. Lancefield v Kyneton Golf – washout (unplayable green).
Division 2: Although recruit Bernie Halpin (ex-Trentham) was a winner at his first stint as skipper with Macedon, relegated Diggers Rest proved too strong, with Macedon a player short.
Diggers Rest 72 d Macedon 41 – R. Reidy 17 d I. Guymer 15, R. Treweek 20 lost to B. Halpin 23, M. Clohesy 35 d S. Doran 3. Woodend 50 lost to Gisborne 60, Broadford 44 lost to Romsey 62, Kilmore 69 d Kyneton Golf 46.
Division 3: In the closest match of the day, Trentham 55 lost to Kilmore 56. Diggers Rest 60 lost to Macedon 76, Lancefield v Woodend (unplayable green), Romsey 47 lost to Gisborne 62 (subject to confirmation).
THIS SATURDAY
Division one matches this Saturday are:
Kyneton Golf v Gisborne, Broadford v Lancefield, Trentham v Kilmore, Romsey v Kyneton.
