Sport
11 October, 2024
New challengers look to emerge in bowls
A new urgency around the lawn bowls season means all results are up for grabs entering round two.
With both division one grand finalists from last season in Highland Tartan and Dunolly Blue defeated to open the season, it’s made for a jumbled up ladder to open up the campaign, with Highland White and Golf Blue currently sitting atop the ladder.
With the two teams meeting this week, it’s a golden opportunity for one of the two to make a terrific start to the season.
Highland White’s season couldn’t have started any better, taking all three rinks against Avoca Red as they look to continue taking steps towards a finals berth after a good first season in the top flight last year.
However, Golf Blue’s victory over reigning premiers Highland Tartan last season was quite impressive, taking two rinks, including Gerry Carmody’s 31-3 victory over Andrew Brumby.
It was Golf Blue who saluted in the last meeting between the two teams in round 11 last year by 18 shots.
Talbot Gold meet Highland Tartan in quite a fascinating game, with Tartan looking to avoid an 0-2 start, and Gold looking to get a jump with a 2-0 start.
Talbot’s efforts to get a victory away from home at Dunolly Blue was a big result, particularly given they had lost two of the three rinks on offer.
Tartan, in the meantime, will be disappointed with their loss to Golf Blue last week, and will look to turn it around quickly.
As was the case last season, when Tartan started with a 2-2 record after four games, it’s not how it starts, it’s how it ends for the team, and they’ll be determined to get it done this week.
The last meeting between both teams was in round 10 last season, and on that occasion, it was Tartan victorious by six shots.
The final game of division one sees Dunolly Blue and Avoca Red both looking to avoid 0-2 starts.
Although Dunolly Blue were unable to take the win last week, it was just one rink which proved to be the key difference.
It will be a difficult task for Avoca Red, who were outclassed last week across the board by Highland White, and they will be hoping to score a victory away from home.
The last meeting between the two teams resulted in a draw, with both teams scoring 59 shots apiece.
Five matches are on the horizon for division two this weekend.
Talbot will open up their season after a grand final appearance last year, and will be hoping to score a good victory against newcomers Bridgewater.
Bridgewater made their debut last week, but were unable to keep up with Newstead Blue last week, losing all three rinks in a 54-shot defeat.
Newstead Blue, for their part, will be hoping to make it two wins on the trot to start the season, as they host Avoca.
Avoca will be hoping to rebound from a 55-shot loss to Highland last week, but will have a tough task against Newstead, who were impressive after making the trip to Bridgewater.
Highland will take on Maldon, who will play their opening game of the season after their first game was washed out.
Highland stamped their authority as a premiership contender to watch again after dismantling Avoca last week, scoring 97 shots in the best performance of the round.
It will also be a first-up game for Dunolly Gold, who had to wait another week after their game with Maldon was washed out, and they host Newstead White.
Newstead White were unable to keep up with Maryborough Golf last week, eventually losing by 42 shots at home.
Maryborough Golf will take on fellow round one winners Dunolly Green to finish off the round.
Golf can stamp themselves as a potential premiership challenger this season if they can get off to a 2-0 start, having comfortably accounted for Newstead White.
However, Dunolly Green will be a tough opponent, particularly after they took care of last year’s finalists in Carisbrook with a 13-shot victory.
Carisbrook will have the bye to end the second round.