Substantial wins by individual rinks propelled Gisborne and Kyneton to comfortable victories in round seven of Highlands division one pennant bowls on Saturday.
Conditions were ideal weather wise, and the only upset in the top grade was third-placed Romsey losing by six shots at home to surprise packet Diggers Rest.
The Redbacks clearly missed the presence of boom recruit Nathan Lynch.
Gisborne had two rinks down, but a massive 36-10 margin for the quartet of Ian Morley, Louise Ball, Russell Walker and Peter Williams (s) ensured the home side toppled Broadford by 19 shots.
The other rink to excel was Kyneton’s Glen Gascoyne, Jerry Richmond, Graham Edwards and Greg Podesta (s) against Kilmore. None were at Kyneton last season.
A 34-14 margin in Kyneton’s home match against was the key to the top side’s victory as Gareth Drusko showed he will be a big asset for the visitors.
Last season’s bottom side Diggers Rest has exceeded expectations and sits in second spot on the ladder after a determined 57-51 win at Romsey.
Aaron Young won by 10 shots for the Redbacks, perhaps partly inspired by his brother Daniel just being elected to Macedon Ranges Shire Council.
Romsey now face a danger match at Broadford this Saturday.
Kyneton Golf and Lancefield have had many close clashes over the years, and reigning premier Golf won by seven shots overall.
Peter Linehan had a strong win against his former club, and John Parks continued his good form for the Tigers.
Golf’s division 2 side defeated Kyneton by 13 with John Trounce securing a runaway 38-10 victory — the biggest margin across all three divisions.
Romsey’s club depth was apparent as its two lower sides won well; a depleted Lancefield accounted for Kyneton by three shots in division 3 in the closest finish of the day.
Division 1 ladder: Kyneton 73 points, Diggers Rest 72, Romsey 55, Kyneton Golf 52, Kilmore 48, Gisborne 32, Lancefield 19, Broadford 19, Trentham 14.
The Lancefield versus Kyneton division one pennant bowls match, which was scheduled for this Saturday, will now be played under lights at Kyneton on Friday night at 6pm.
ALL THE SCORES
Division 1 scores from Highlands bowls on Saturday were:
Kyneton Golf 65 d Lancefield 58 — P. Linehan (s) 26 d J. Holmes 17, A. Plowman 26 d G. Stewart 21, A. Barker 13 lost to J. Parks 20; Kyneton 72 d Kilmore 58 — J. O’Donnell 20 d S. Fitzgerald 18, Ant. Mathison 18 lost to G. Drusco 26, G. Podesta 34 d M. McMaster 14; Gusborne 73 d Broadford 54 — A. Higgins 21 lost to P. Newell 25, T. Wylie 16 lost to D. Ellis 19, P. Williams 36 d D. Kelly 10; Romsey 51 lost to Diggers Rest 57 — C. Austin 13 lost to S. Browne 25, A. Young 25 d R. Treweek 15, M. Brundell 13 lost to P. Robinson 17; Trentham the bye.
Division 2: Kyneton Golf 60 d Kyneton 47 — J. Trounce 38 d J. Wells 10, C. Scott 24 d M. Plowman 22,J. McQualter 18 d D. Fisher 15; Macedon 65 d Gisborne 39 — G. Dickenson 20 d B. Wylie 14, I. Matthews 21 d R. Grant 15, I. Guymer 24 d D. Wesney 9; Romsey 61 d Diggers Rest 53 — G. Marshall 20 d A. Iceley 19, S. Mayger 22 d R. Grant 15, J. Beaumont 19 drew with P. Marinier 19; Kilmore 89 d Broadford 41 — S. Hawkless 31 d A. Prime 12, C. Hodgson 33 d W. Blackburn 18, A. Langdon 25 d G. Goddard 11.
Division 3: Gisborne (3) 56 d Macedon 43 — T. Shearson 26 d D. Summerfield 16, C. Butterley 13 lost to B. Wasyl 17, S. Fallowfield 18 d B. Swan 11; Gisborne (4) 54 lost to Mt Cottrell 73 — F. Perich 18 d G. Bonnici 26, J. Kinton 15 d B. Robinson 25, G. Marks 21 lost to M. Matthews 22; Lancefield 54 d Kyneton 51 — P. Shannon 20 d L. Gent 17, Alan Shipcott 17 lost to B. Rowe 18, K. Webb 17 d C. Bermingham 16; Woodend 48 lost to Romsey 61— T. Sturt 19 d H. Rose 18, J. Behan 13 lost to M. Toy 21; A. Jewell 16 lost to K. Day 22; Kilmore 76 d Trentham 38 — W. Gunn 31 d I. Bruton 10, S. Bloomfield 24 d Michelle Hinneberg 10, K. Campbell 21 d Max Hinneberg 18.
Greg Podesta’s rink excelled against Kilmore. 
Kyneton’s Mark Cheep sends a bowl down the line.
