Sport
14 October, 2025
Tight battles across weekend pennants
If round two of the weekend pennant is anything to go by, this season’s premierships are expected to go down to the wire, with last weekend’s action producing some close results across all three divisions.
DIVISION ONE
Fresh off defeating Maryborough Golf in the opening round, Maryborough Highland Society added another statement victory with a 66-59 win against Talbot.
After Highland’s Garry Coburn held on against Peter Fletcher 18-16 and Talbot’s Chris Crossley got the better of Gregory Shay 22-15, the two teams were tied at one rink apiece.
With the pressure on, Greg McHugh pulled through in the deciding rink, taking a high-scoring affair over Matthew Vernon 33-21.
After round two, Highland is one of two teams undefeated in division one alongside Dunolly Blue, who won against Newstead 65-46 to remain top-of-the-table.
Chris Williams and Tony Galofaro did the damage for Dunolly Blue, with Williams defeating Newstead’s Brian Daly 21-16 and Galofaro earning a commanding victory against David Cobden 30-12.
Bill Burnett ensured Newstead didn’t leave empty-handed, winning two points in an entertaining rink against Alan Weir 18-14.
Following their impressive debut last week, division one newcomers Carisbrook have put everyone on notice with an enthralling 55-52 triumph against Maryborough Golf.
With Ross Gregory controlling his rink against Anthony Chambers 25-13 and Ron Baker holding on against Kevin Prime 18-15, Carisbrook virtually secured the match points.
Gerry Carmody tried to turn the tide for Golf, but a 24-12 victory against Malcolm Milne wasn’t enough to turn the deficit.
Fellow newcomers Maldon also recorded their first win in their new division following an impressive performance against Avoca 80-58.
Peter Sedgwick put Maldon in control with a 32-14 triumph over Chris Cocking before Frank Shannon gave Avoca a glimmer of hope with a 26-20 victory against Wesley Honeyman.
Annette Gillham put the finishing touches on Maldon’s win, taking care of Allyson Hearnden 28-18.
DIVISION TWO
After their close victory in the opening round, Maryborough Highland Society Black were in another tight battle against Talbot and came out on top, taking the result with a 52-42 victory.
In one of the rinks of the round, Laurie Vernon put Talbot ahead with a 22-21 win against Robert Bursill before Albert Spencer gave Highland Black the match points, winning over Geraldine Smith 31-20.
It’s currently a Highland white-wash atop division two as Highland Black’s sister team Highland White also recorded a win against Avoca 52-24.
Avoca had their moments of control across both rinks, but Highland White completed the sweep with Tony Lacey defeating Christine Bearpark 24-11 and Frank Mifsud vanquishing Ann Loosmore 28-13.
Dunolly Gold recovered well from their first round defeat, victorious against Bridgewater 39-21.
Peter Freemantle got Dunolly Gold on the right foot with an 18-9 win against Bridgewater’s Ron Brown and Ian McKenzie took advantage of that strong start with a 21-12 triumph versus Ian Clutton.
Last season’s runner-up, Mary-borough Golf, earned their first win of the new season by taking care of Dunolly Green 52-32.
Kort Gay and Trevor Young gave Maryborough Golf the sweep with Gay dominating Debbie Wintle 30-12 and Trevor Young holding off Justin Ritchie 22-20.
DIVISION THREE
After being forced to forfeit their opening match, Avoca started their season with a vengeance, defeating the travelling Maldon 62-25.
Geoff Loosmore did most of the damage for Avoca with a dominant rink against Pam Lyons 41-10, while teammate Gordon Marr held on in a highly competitive encounter versus Leonie Briggs 21-15.
The beneficiaries of Avoca’s forfeit, Carisbrook, also started their season on a positive note, defeating Newstead 47-32.
Carisbrook won both hotly contested rinks, with Phillip Burt vanquishing Noel Bott 23-15 and Kathleen Upson besting Angela Hill 24-17.
In the tightest match of the round, the Maryborough Highland Society held their nerve to defeat Dunolly 49-42.
The match came down to one rink after the battle between Tilleke Wadeson and Paul Chase ended in an 18-18 draw. Allan Pike pulled through for Highland, victorious against Wayne Stephens 31-24.
ROUND THREE
Starting in division one with the current ladder leaders, Dunolly Blue, they will look to remain undefeated when they host the team they defeated in last season’s sudden-death semi-final, Talbot.
Fellow undefeated team Mary-borough Highland Society has another early test in their schedule as they prepare to welcome Maldon to their home rink.
After their statement victory against premiership holders Maryborough Golf, Carisbrook look to harness that momentum against another recently promoted side, Newstead, at home.
Speaking of Maryborough Golf, they will aim to get their season on track when they host Avoca.
The most anticipated match of the upcoming division two fixtures is an inter-club battle between Highland White and Highland Black, who currently sit first and second.
Dunolly Gold will look to keep their new winning ways going when they travel to Talbot, while their sister team, Dunolly Green, prepares for a long trip to take on Bridge-water.
Rounding out round three’s proceedings is Avoca, aiming for their first win of the season when they host Maryborough Golf.
Division three sees Maldon play Carisbrook at home, Maryborough Highland Society travel to Avoca and Newstead host Dunolly.