Bill West
Romsey is the only unbeaten division one side after three rounds of Highlands pennant bowls.
And the third round on Saturday was highlighted by a shock two-shot victory by Kilmore over last season’s runner-up Kyneton Golf.
Early rain threatened to jeopardise matches, but all went ahead with the sun shining later in the afternoon.
The Lancefield v Romsey match was switched to the synthetic surface side at Romsey, and the Redbacks ended up giving the reigning premiers a lesson with an all fours up 29-shot victory.
Who would have predicted the match of the fourth round coming up this Saturday would be between the two top sides in Romsey and Kilmore?
Though some would argue the clash between arch rivals Kyneton Golf (fourth) and Kyneton (fifth) is deserving of the top rating.
Kyneton has welcomed the return of the very accomplished Anthony Mathison. In company with Peter Ryan, Denise Knight and Neil Jamieson, Mathison won by 24 shots on Saturday, the biggest margin across the three grades.
While Toby Barker won by eight shots for Golf at Kilmore, the other Golf rinks went down in the thriller of the round.
After two defeats, Gisborne rebounded with a 35-shot victory over the previously unbeaten Trentham combination. Paul O’Farrell’s four wn by 21 shots in a real confidence booster.
Match details:
Kilmore 56 d Kyneton Golf 54 – J. Reimann 14 lost to A. Barker 22, W. Coyle 19 d A. Plowman 16, P. Newell 23 d B. Godbolt 16.
Lancefield 47 lost to Romsey 76 – B Holmes 15 lost to C. Austin 30, A. Young 15 lost to D. Ely 22, J. Holmes 17 lost to M. Brundell 24.
Trentham 47 lost to Gisborne 82 – B. Mahar 15 lost to Beardmore 24, H. Plias 17 lost to P. Williams 22, C. McKeone 15 lost to P. O’Farrell 36.
Kyneton 70 d Broadford 42 – M. Smoljo 23 d D. Ellis 12, A. Mathison 34 d D. Kelly 10, G. Candy 13 lost to R. Chapman 20.
Current ladder (after three rounds); Romsey 44 points, Kilmore 30, Trentham 26, Kyneton Golf 25, Kyneton 20, Lancefield 20, Gisborne 19, Broadford 8.
Saturday’s fourth round matches are: Romsey v Kilmore, Kyneton v Kyneton Golf, Gisborne v Lancefield, Trentham v Broadford.
Division 2
While Kilmore won by two shots in the top division, it was a two-shot loss to Gisborne in second division.
Gisborne 54 d Kilmore 52 – K. Jarred 27 d J. Marshall 10, V. Foxford 17 d C. Hodgson 13, B. Whylie 14 lost to K. Mayberry 31.
Kyneton Golf 53 d Kyneton 46 – C. Scott 17 drew with C. Bermingham 17, J. Trounce 19 d B. Toll 16, P. Cameron 17 d R. Ackroyd 13.
Diggers Rest 63 d Romsey 51 – R. Treweek lost to J. Fryer 21, M. Clohesy 26 d B. Groom 19, B. Reidy 18 d A. Laing.
Division 3
Woodend 54 d Trentham 52 – C. Staggard 13 d I. Van der Werff 19, R. Smithies 24 d D. Walsh 13, T. Sturt 17 d P. Ulrik 20.
Romsey 51 lost to Kilmore 64 – J. Boyce 14 lost to D. Taffe 31, M. Toy 17 d B. Barnes 14, H. Rose 21 d W. Cattanach 19.
Diggers Rest 76 d Gisborne 46 – R. Grant 35 d J. Hunter 16, P. Marriner 20 d P. Wellington 16, L. Wels 21 d T. Woodlock 14.
Macedon 46 lost to Lancefield 60 – L. Gent 8 lost to P. Shannon 25, M. Cameron 25 d S. Climas 18, A. Grant 13 lost to B. West 17.
