Reigning premiers Kyneton were put to the test in the opening round of Highlands A-grade 2025-26 pennant bowls on Saturday.
The trip to Gisborne proved to be anything but a formality for Kyneton, with the eventual margin 11 shots overall (71-60).
The big winners for Kyneton were Tim Cook — first game after crossing from Trentham — Bernie Halpin, Graham Edwards and topliner Greg Podesta (s) with a decisive 34-10 victory.
Gisborne looked stronger than last season, with the inclusion of experienced campaigners third rink was very even. Tim Rogers and Matt Bacon — hero of Woodend’s last division one premiership side.
Rogers had 14 shots to spare to give Gisborne hope of causing an upset, while the third rink was extremely close.
Fine, sunny conditions were welcomed across the Highlands area as first and third division got underway. Second division begins this Saturday.
MAXIMUM POINTS
Kyneton Golf is always hard to beat at home, and last season’s runner-up Romsey went down to very experienced opponents by 22 shots overall.
Top line skippers Peter Linehan (Golf) and Aaron Young had a tight battle, the former winning by one shot.
Both these sides are potential final four participants.
Promoted from second division after a thrilling grand final win over Kyneton, Woodend pushed Diggers Rest all the way.
Steve Milesi’s rink won 26-13, but the home side was pleased to scramble home by four shots overall.
Broadford is tough to beat at home, and Lancefield finished up 20 shots in arrears.
New Tigers’ skipper Andrew Brandolin prevented Broadford obtaining maximum points.
In the remaining A-grade match, Kilmore won all rinks at home against Trentham.
Second round A-grade matches this Saturday are: Kyneton v Diggers Rest, Romsey v Trentham, Lancefield v Gisborne, Woodend v Kyneton Golf, Kilmore v Broadford.
Second division begins its season this Saturday, but third division played.
Woodend sustained an agonising one-shot defeat against Mt Cottrell.
Romsey and Kyneton had runway victories, and Macedon was happy to win at Kilmore by 14 shots.
Adrian Plowman in action for Kyneton Golf. 
Peter Linehan. 
Romsey skipper Aaron Young.
ALL THE SCORES
Division 1: Gisborne 60 lost to Kyneton 71: T. Rogers (s) 29 d Ant. Mathison 15, D. Gade 10 lost to G. Podesta 34, B. Johnson 21 lost to D.J. Thomas 22; Kyneton Golf 69 d Romsey 47; A. Plowman 23 d G. Taylor 19, A. Barker 27 d D. Ely 16, P. Linehan 19 d A. Young 18; Kilmore 65 d Trentham 45: T. Carroll 20 d N. Cooke 15, D. Carroll 27 d C. McKeone 16, D. Noonan 18 d R. Dobinson 14; Broadford 69 d Lancefield 49: D. Ellis 19 d J. Holmes 16, D. Kelly 20 lost to A. Brandlin 23, R. Chapman 30 d A. Andrews 10; Diggers Rest 60 d Woodend 56: R. Treweek 26 d S. Pickles 16, P. Robinson 13 lost to S. Milesi 26, K. Stafford 26 d T. Lennie 14.
Division 3: Romsey 87 d Trentham 46: H. Rose 25 d Michelle Hinneberg 13, D. Culpin 31 d L. Gent 10, M. Gilligan 31 d I. Bruton 23; Kyneton 76 d Lancefield 41: S. Fenton 32 d P. Shannon 12, J. Epps 23 d J. Smith 16, A. Brockmuller 21 d D. Safstrom 18; Mt Cottrell 52 d Woodend 51: L. Glascott 18 d D. Appleyard 17, B. Robinson 16 lost to A. Jewell 19, D. Roche 18 d J. Behan 15; Kilmore 57 lost to Macedon 71: C. Wright 25 d M. Pjekne 14, A. Jowett 11 lost to D. Summerfield 32, L. Bloomfield 21 lost to R. Stapleton 25.
