Highlands pennant bowls for the 2026-27 season began on Saturday, with the big surprise in the top division being the last end defeat sustained by Kyneton at Diggers Rest.
A strong Kyneton side comfortably won the 2024-25 premiership against Romsey, then went down to the Redbacks in an extraordinary double extra time finish in last season’s grand final.
But the Kyneton side on Saturday did not have the firepower of the past two seasons, with players of the calibre of Greg Podesta and Graham Edwards not in the lineup.
At home, Diggers Rest grew in confidence, and the match was the only close one in the top division.
The home side prevailed 59-57, with Greg Candy’s rink home by 13 shots, Rod Treweek down by 11 to Sarah Howard’s four, and the other encounter a 20-20 tie.
In round 2 this Saturday, Kyneton go to Romsey for a repeat re-run of last season’s grand final. Plenty at stake for both sides.
With so much heavy rain around, there were doubts any bowls would take place at one stage, but the weather cleared sufficiently to enable bowls to be played on synthetic greens.
Kyneton Golf (turf green) and Lancefield could not play at Golf, with points shared.
Premiers Romsey appear to have a sufficient depth to again make the finals.
At home, the Redbacks defeated Trentham by 29 shots, with convincing margins to the “Sticks” Ely and Aaron Young rinks.
Trentham skipper Bob Dobinson was in superb form and was largely responsible for his rink leading for most of the match. But Cam Austin and co persevered, and scraped home 19-18 to give the Redbacks maximum points.
Expect plenty of spectators at Romsey this Saturday!
KILMORE HARD TO TOSS
Kilmore could well prove to be a very strong contender for this season’s flag, judging by the line-up which demolished Broadford 83-45 on Saturday.
Last season Kilmore made the finals, but the inclusion of vastly experienced Ray Jansen is a big step forward.
Jansen was head coach at Whittlesea last season, and has competed at a high level for a long time. He was Victorian Over 60s singles champion two seasons ago.
Kilmore has region singles winner Daniel Carroll back again, with other quality players in the side as well. Long-time regular skipper Daniel Noonan played in the 2s on Saturday.
History shows Kilmore went 41 seasons without a division one premiership, then recruited heavily to finally win one in 2009.
The facilities have been rejuvenated at Kilmore, and the club’s lower ranked teams are also likely to be stronger this season.
ETHAN HIGGINS BACK
After missing last season through injury, high quality player Ethan Higgins is back at the helm for a Gisborne side hoping to improve further and make the division 1 finals.
At home, Gisborne outplayed Woodend to win by 28 shots with all rinks up.
In division 2, the closest match was at Kilmore, with the home side holding off Romsey by four shots.
Round 2 division 1 matches this Saturday are:
Romsey v Kyneton.
Kilmore v Kyneton Golf.
Gisborne v Diggers Rest.
Broadford v Trentham.
Woodend v Lancefield.
The Highlands midweek pennant season begins today (Tuesday).
ALL THE SCORES
Opening round scores from Highlands pennant bowls were:
DIVISION 1: Kyneton Golf v Lancefield (washout — cancelled due to wet green).
Romsey 73 d Trentham 43 — A. Young (s) 26 d P. Hanson 14, D. Ely 27 d C. McKeone 11, C. Austin 19 d R. Dobinson 18; Gisborne 77 d Woodend 49 — C. Davie 25 d N. Bickerdyke 20, E. Higgins 28 d G. Symons 14, T. Kelly 24 d S. Pickles 15; Diggers Rest 59 d Kyneton 57 — G. Candy 24 d Ant. Mathison 11; R. Treweek 15 lost to S. Howard 26; P. Robinson 20 drew with D. Kennedy 20; Broadford 45 lost to Kilmore 83 — A. Fisher 14 lost to R. Jansen 24, L. Gleeson 14 lost to L. Whitnall 26, M. Carboon 17 lost to S. Pretty 33.
DIVISION 2: Mt Cottrell v Macedon a washout; Gisborne 56 d Woodend 26 — B. Wylie 21 d J. Jewell 8, J. Evans 16 d A. Jewell 9, V. Noble 19 d T. Sturt 9; Kilmore 63 d Romsey 59 — M. Burnham 15 lost to J. Beaumont 19; B. Lingham 25 d D. Culpin 20, D. Noonan 23 d J. Reimann 20; Diggers Rest 65 d Kyneton 56 — R. Beckett 19 lost to E. Kennedy 22, A. Icely 17 lost to S. Fenton 24, L. Wels 29 d M. Bermingham 10. Kyneton Golf the bye.
DIVISION 3: Kyneton v Macedon a washout; Gisborne v Kilmore a washout; Romsey 79 d Mt Cottrell 49 — M. Gilligan 34 d G. Allsop 13, R. Kozulins 23 d R. Perry 20, G. Cuthbert d J. Vearing 16; Broadford 71 d Lancefield 42 — L. Barnes 23 d S. Climas 18, B. Goddard 29 d G. Charles 11, P. Hoskins 19 d P. Shannon 13. Trentham the bye.
