Weekend pennant action has kicked off in the Campaspe Playing Area, with bowlers contesting their first fixtures on Saturday.
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Division One
Moama and Echuca faced off at the Moama Bowling Club, with the Steamers coming away with the narrow win 14-56 to 2-54.
Rink one went the way of Echuca, with skip Ian Page leading his quartet of Evan Berryman (lead), Kaye Barker (second) and James Ferrier (third) to a 20-13 victory.
That result was neutralised by the rink featuring Moama skip Matt Robertson, who earned a 24-17 victory over Echuca’s George Thornley.
The remaining rink saw Moama’s Robert Young skip his side to a two-shot win over Echuca’s Steve Cunnington, earning the Steamers rink and overall match points.
Rochester had the unenviable task of hosting defending champion Mathoura in the opening round, but made a good accounting of itself in the tie, coming away with a split of the overall points 7-63 to 9-63.
The rink skipped by Graham Willis was the most lucrative for Rochester, with his quartet earning a 29-shots-to-17 victory.
The other two rinks went Mathoura’s way, with Rochy skip John Weeks’ squad going down 16-21, while the rink skipped by Les Walles also went the way of Mathoura, 18-25, resulting in an overall tie.
Rich River and Deniliquin battled at Deniliquin Bowling Club and it was Deni that came away victorious 14-65 to 2-48.
Skip Simon Chisholm scored big for the host, winning his rink 32-17, while Stephen O’Brien took his by a narrower margin, 18-15.
Rich River’s sole success was a 16-15 win for skip Gary Radford.
Stanhope blitzed its way to the top of the standings, securing maximum points against Tongala, 16-64 to 0-40.
The rinks skipped by Ben Fletcher (22-13) and Gregory Fitzpatrick (24-13) were both comfortable wins for Stanhope.
Glenn Fields got closer than his teammates but was unable to skip his Tongala squadron to victory, Timothy Hancock earning the points for Stanhope 18-14.
Division Two
Echuca had better luck against Moama in Division Two, defeating Moama Green 16-62 to 0-44.
Skip Matthew Brighton earned a huge 25-12 win for his side, while his teammates earned narrow wins in the other two rinks.
Rochester started its campaign on the front foot with a 14-62 to 2-41 win over Deni RSL.
Rochy had solid wins in two rinks, with skips Anton Gusak and Kevin Hall earning 27-8 and 22-10 wins for their side respectively.
Tongala proved superior against Stanhope, earning the lion’s share of the points 14-57 to 2-49.
Noel West skipped the biggest win for Tonny, while Kelvin Walsh also won his rink.
Deniliquin defeated Rich River two rinks to three, taking the match 14-72, to 2-56.
Barry Devin eked out a 22-21 win for Rich River but the other two rinks went Deni’s way for a comfortable overall victory.
Division Three
Echuca begins the season on top of the ladder after a comprehensive 16-74 to 0-27 win over Deniliquin RSL.
Elmore put in a dominant performance, winning all three rinks to down Rochester 16-74 to 0-43, and Moama Green was too strong for Mathoura 14-69 to 2-58.
Lockington’s visit to Rich River Bowls Club ended in success, with Locky downing Rich River 14-57 to 2-45, while Moama Black defeated Deniliquin 14-73 to 2-46.
Division Four
Lockington hosted Rich River and came away with the win, 14-61 to 2-54, while Moama beat Echuca 12-59 to 4-58.
Ky Valley View dominated Mathoura 16-82 to 0-36, and Tongala scored 41 shots in a single rink as it defeated Stanhope 13-77 to 3-64.
Division Five
Elmore took both rinks against Lockington to win 14-48 to 0-41.
Echuca had a big win over Moama 14-69 to 0-19, and Stanhope took down Deniliquin 12-50 to 2-36.
Rochester was awarded the points after Deni RSL forfeited their tie.
Cadet sports journalist