Sport
2 December, 2025
Avoca stars in weekend pennant return
Following a week’s hiatus due to Energy Breakthrough and Bowls Victoria events, the Goldfields Playing Area’s weekend pennants returned with a bang on Saturday.
DIVISION ONE
After seven rounds, Avoca has earned its first win of the season with a clean sweep of Newstead, ending 54-43.
All three rinks went down to the wire, but Avoca held their nerve with Ian Proctor defeating Bill Burnett in a low-scoring affair 15-12, Frank Shannon overcoming David Cobden 19-12 and Daniel Giddings holding off Brian Daly by the narrowest of margins 20-19.
At the other end of the table, the Maryborough Highland Society made it a perfect eight on Saturday, completing the season double over Maryborough Golf with a 58-50 victory.
With the reigning premiers looking to make a statement against the undefeated league-leaders, the match went down to the final rink after Highland’s Garry Coburn vanquished Kevin Prime 23-20 and Golf’s Gerry Carmody took a 17-16 thriller against Greg Shay.
In the deciding rink, Greg McHugh secured the 10 match points for Highland, victorious against Anthony Chambers 19-13.
Despite the defeat, Golf can thank Talbot for remaining in fourth after they took another impressive away win against Carisbrook 74-54.
Peter McLaughlan gave Talbot a healthy advantage with a commanding 29-15 win against Roy Pickering.
Peter Fletcher iced the game with a 26-17 victory over Ross Gregory despite Carisbrook’s Ron Baker defeating Chris Crossley 22-19.
Talbot remains in second after last weekend’s result, closely followed by Dunolly Blue, who Maldon gave a scare before eventually winning 61-53.
The pressure was on last season’s runners-up when Wesley Honeyman proved too good for Chris Williams, winning 20-18 to throw the first punch for Maldon.
However, Dunolly Blue recovered quickly thanks to Peter Waters overpowering Peter Sedgwick 20-14 before Tony Galofaro ensured Dunolly Blue’s victory by vanquishing Annette Gillham 23-19.
DIVISION TWO
Dunolly Gold has jumped itself into the top four with a surprising victory over Highland White 38-32.
Both rinks were decided by four shots or less, but Dunolly Gold took both matches thanks to Raeleen Mebbrey triumphing over Frank Mifsud 19-17 and Aaron Britten holding his nerve against Tony Lacey 19-15.
In the closest contest of the weekend’s play, Avoca obtained an elusive victory with a captivating 43-41 win against Bridgewater.
Despite Bridgewater’s Ian Clutton defeating Ann Loosmore 19-17, Geoff Loosmore swooped in to be the hero for Avoca, vanquishing Christopher Brooshooft 26-22.
Talbot has kept themselves in the finals hunt by recording their third win of the season at Dunolly Green’s expense, 57-23.
Ray Prentice and Laurie Vernon ensured Talbot collected all available points, with Prentice overpowering Justin Ritchie 21-13 and Vernon dominating Fabio Delconte 36-10.
One of the most anticipated matches of the weekend ended in anticlimactic fashion, as Maryborough Golf’s clash against first-placed Highland Black was forced to be called off due to the greens being too wet for play to be suitable. As a result, the two teams shared seven points.
DIVISION THREE
The Goldfields Playing Area’s newest division is turning into a three-horse race, as the Mary-borough Highland Society, Newstead and Carisbrook all enjoyed wins on the weekend.
That elite pack is currently being led by Highland, who made no mistake disposing of Avoca 50-17.
Tilleke Wadeson impressed in a 32-5 victory against Greg Carey, while Allan Pike did enough to keep Gordon Marr at an arm’s distance, winning 18-12.
Carisbrook ensured Highland couldn’t extend their lead at the division three pinnacle by vanquishing Maldon 47-33.
Maldon were highly competitive in both rinks, but Carisbrook’s Patricia Stancombe overcame Pam Lyons 22-16 and Phillip Burt was triumphant against Glen Coy 25-17.
Newstead faced a serious challenge away to Dunolly, but completed their task in style with a 40-27 win.
Steven Gibson got things rolling for Newstead by defeating Sandra Chaplin 20-13, allowing Noel Bott to harness that momentum and conquer Wayne Stephens 20-14.
ROUND NINE
A top-of-the-table clash will headline division one action in round nine, as Talbot hopes to shorten the 28-point gap between themselves and Highland with a win on their home turf.
If Highland make it nine wins on the trot, Dunolly can move back into the double chance places when they host bottom of the table Newstead.
In a vital clash for the finals picture, Carisbrook will hope to maintain their remarkable run back in division one against the fourth-placed Maryborough Golf.
Carisbrook stunned Golf by defeating the flag holders 55-52 back in round two, and will be asking for seconds this weekend to move themselves back into the top four.
With their first victory on the board, Avoca will look to double its win total versus a Maldon team looking to become a major player in the finals race.
With an extra week to recover from their first loss to Dunolly Green, Highland Black will hope to return to dominant ways in division two against finals hopefuls Talbot.
Speaking of Dunolly Green, they will hope to recapture some of that David magic against second-placed Maryborough Golf.
Currently sitting 16 points adrift of fourth, Bridgewater can bring itself back into the finals discussion with a good result against the team that currently occupies that spot in Dunolly Gold.
Finding themselves outside the top two, Highland White can rekindle their spark at home versus Avoca.
Division three will see Carisbrook trying to climb into first against current custodians Highland, Dunolly travelling to Avoca and Newstead playing Maldon.