Sport
7 October, 2025
Bowls returns with tight opening round
The 2025/26 Goldfields Playing Area’s weekend pennant opened for action on Saturday, with the first round producing some fantastic matches across all three divisions.
DIVISION ONE
The Maryborough Highland Society enacted a sliver of revenge on one of the teams that stopped their four-peat ambitions last season, defeating reigning premiers Maryborough Golf 62-42.
After losing to Golf in the first round last season, Highland was determined for a strong start over their cross-town rivals, collecting all 16 points after three tight rinks.
Gregory Shay held off Anthony Chambers 20-12, Greg McHugh took a back-and-forth affair against Gerry Carmody 19-15 and Garry Coburn finished the job with a 23-15 triumph over Kevin Prime.
The other team that knocked Highland out of the finals last season, Dunolly Blue, took a comprehensive 78-35 win over newly promoted Maldon.
Last season’s runners-up wasted no time reasserting their contender status, with Chris Williams defeating Peter Sedgwick 22-8 and Alan Weir winning over Annette Gillham 31-12 to give Dunolly the first two rinks.
Wesley Honeyman put up the strongest fight for Maldon, but Tony Galofaro proved too good, taking out the rink 25-15.
Fellow division one newcomers Carisbrook impressed in their season opener, but couldn’t quite get the job done against Talbot, who earned a 67-62 victory.
After winning last season’s division two pennant, Ron Baker signified Carisbrook’s intent against new competition, defeating Matthew Vernon 27-11.
Unfortunately for Carisbrook, Chris Crossley and Peter Fletcher ensured Talbot could recover, with the former taking care of Malcolm Milne 28-17 and the latter sealing his team’s victory with a 28-18 win against Ross Gregory.
The third promoted team, Newstead, did one better than their elevated counterparts, winning 64-60 against Avoca.
Avoca looked to be in the driver’s seat to win the match after Geoff Loosmore won against Brian Daly 26-17 and Frank Shannon took a nail-biter over David Cobden 20-16.
However, Newstead star Bill Burnett flipped the match on its head with a 31-14 victory over Daniel Giddings to put the margin in his team’s favour.
DIVISION TWO
Dunolly Green currently leads the way in the new look division two after disposing of Talbot 51-23.
As part of the Goldfields Playing Area’s competition revamping, division two and division three will be played over two rinks, with teams having eight players.
Debbie Wintle got Dunolly on the right foot, dominating her rink against Laurie Vernon 32-9. The rink between Dunolly’s Justin Ritchie and Talbot’s Ray Prentice was more closely contested, with Ritchie winning 19-14.
After finishing their first season in the Goldfields Playing Area without a victory, Bridgewater has indicated a new season means new goals, taking an elusive victory against Avoca 52-29.
Ian Clutton and Glenn Mangan made it extra sweet by winning both rinks, with Clutton vanquishing Avoca’s Ann Loosmore, 23-19, and Mangan sealing the deal with a 29-10 victory over Loralee Field.
Maryborough Highland Society Black have already grabbed a massive win in their season, knocking off last season’s runner-up, Maryborough Golf, 45-33.
Both rinks could have gone either way, but Highland Black grabbed all 14 points available thanks to Albert Spencer taking care of Kort Gay 25-18 and Robert Bursill winning over Trevor Young 20-15.
Highland Black’s sister team, Highland White, also started the pennant with winning ways, defeating Dunolly Gold 54-37.
Dennis Prosser started with a 27-17 victory versus Aaron Britten before teammate Frank Mifsud followed suit, winning 27-20 over Peter Freemantle.
DIVISION THREE
The Goldfields Playing Area’s newest division already produced a contender for match of the year, as the contest between Newstead and Maryborough Highlands Society was decided by one shot.
After Highland’s Tilleke Wadeson defeated Angela Hill 19-16, Noel Bott pulled it back for Newstead against Allan Pike, winning 27-23 to give Newstead the victory by the narrowest of margins.
Dunolly had a much less tense matchup against Maldon, starting their season with a 48-25 victory.
Sandra Chaplin commanded their rink against Leonie Briggs 28-12, while Paul Chase defeated Pam Lyons 20-13.
With Avoca forced to forfeit their opening round matchup, Carisbrook is currently at the top of the table.
ROUND TWO
Things look to quickly even out in division one, as all the teams that earned a victory in the opening round face off against each other, setting some intriguing matchups.
Maryborough Highland Society hopes to build off their strong opening at home against a team that also made finals last season, Talbot.
Dunolly Blue will aim to make it two wins from two when they travel to Newstead, who impressed versus Avoca.
Following their competitive defeat to Talbot, Carisbrook will take on the reigning premiers, Maryborough Golf, at home.
After both suffering defeats, Maldon and Avoca will look to bounce back at the others’ expense when they meet at Maldon.
In division two, Maryborough Highland Society Black will look to keep the winning ways going when they play Talbot away from home.
After getting their first taste of victory in the Goldfields Playing Area, Bridgewater will be looking for another bite when they travel to play Dunolly Gold.
Fellow Dunolly team, Dunolly Green, will battle a Maryborough Golf team looking to even their record with a win at home.
Rounding out the division two action will be Avoca hosting Maryborough Highland Society White.
Carisbrook will open its division three season against Newstead at home, while Maryborough High-land Society takes on Dunolly and Avoca hosts Maldon.