Sport
12 December, 2025
Golden midweek round for Highland
After starting Tuesday’s action in seventh, Highland Gold has vaulted itself into the finals places alongside the top three midweek contenders who all scored dominant wins in round nine.
Highland Gold’s 77-33 triumph over Dunolly Gold has officially christened a fatal four-way for the final finals slot between themselves, Talbot, Carisbrook and Avoca.
After the rink between Tilleke Wadeson and Karen Waters ended in a 16-16 draw, Highland Gold took control of the match thanks to Lowen Clarke vanquishing Fabio Delconte 25-13 and Dennis Prosser overpowering Wayne Stephens 36-4.
Despite Highland Gold’s victory, Talbot, Carisbrook and Avoca all had chances to knock Highland Gold off their new top four perch if they could defeat a member of teams virtually set for finals.
Talbot put up the most severe challenge, but Maryborough Golf managed to thwart their defiance with a 70-45 win.
Francis Smith improved his sensational midweek record to 8-1 by defeating Barbara Crossley 25-9, while Graeme Orr secured Golf’s result by conquering Ray Prentice 25-14.
Chris Crossley provided some solace for Talbot by holding off Kort Gay 22-20, moving Talbot to within one point of Highland Gold in fourth.
Highland Tartan continues to set the pace atop the midweek pennant, scoring their ninth consecutive victory with an 84-39 win over Carisbrook.
The reigning premiers maintained their perfect record this season thanks to Greg Shay overpowering Cameron Taylor 32-12, Harvey Pearce besting Ross Gregory 32-13 and Garry Coburn taking a low-scoring affair against Roy Pickering 20-14.
Tartan’s closest adversary, Dunolly Blue, needed to be perfect to remain within touching distance of the ladder-leaders, and they did just that with a commanding 94-33 win over Avoca.
Chris Williams got things rolling for Dunolly Blue with a 31-8 victory over Loralee Field, followed by David Wardell winning 34-14 against Ann Loosmore and Tony Galofaro conquering Ian Proctor 29-11.
The midweek pennant landscape will once again shift in round 10, with all four matches set to impact the battle for fourth.
With only five rounds left in the midweek pennant, just three points separate Highland Gold in the elusive fourth place and Avoca in seventh, with Talbot and Carisbrook sandwiched in between.
Highland Gold will need to be at their best to maintain their newfound position inside the top four, set to face last season’s runners-up in Maryborough Golf.
Talbot are primed to capitalise on any Highland Gold slip-up in fifth, but they are also scheduled to tackle one of the competition’s contenders, hosting Dunolly Blue.
Sixth-placed Carisbrook will look to replicate their 74-51 round three victory against Dunolly Gold on Tuesday, while Highland Tartan aim to at least maintain their 28-point gap heading into the Christmas break with a win over Avoca.