The 2018/2019 Bowls North Pennant season began in almost perfect conditions, with the big four once again showing what they were capable of.
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Jarrod Howard and Andrew Whitmore scored 83 shots between them in North’s 103-51 two-rink win over Beauty Point.
Alan Gamble turned back the clock in a match-winning performance, challenged for best on ground only by new recruit Rae Simpson.
Rae played her role in the two spot for Howard as they welcomed Ben Gadsby to the club in his return from Western Australia.
Longford welcomed back Mark Strochnetter to the team in their game at Cosgrove Park and he provided for the Tigers with a 16-shot win over Alan Sotheran.
It was a tight game up until afternoon tea at Cosgrove with the Tigers up by only a handful of shots.
After clearing the room of afternoon tea, Daniel Baker and his rink got on a roll, going short and scoring 14 shots in three ends to put the game to bed.
Strochenetter’s rink of Weaver, Zueschner and Crocker were steady all day and Joey Thomas’ boys managed to win the last end, securing full points for Longford.
East Launceston and Trevallyn were given no time to ease into the season, in a first round thriller.
“The Friendlies” have been retired and the rebranded Trevallyn Thunder was launched, but they could not quite handle the storm that Chris Bannon sent their way.
Bannon returned to East’s line up and showed why he can win matches, jumping to a 24-1 lead after 13 ends. John Bowerman, Damien Lewis and Will Springer all played their part in what was a match-winning rink performance against Dan Hollingsworth.
Josh Appleyard did the best he could against Aaron Page, in an 18-shot rink win to Trevallyn but they could never quite close the gap overall.
The Invermay Swampies travelled to Scottsdale for the season opener with both sides feeling their way into the match.
Scores were even overall after 20 ends until Gene Ayton’s rink got the jump on Rob Claridge with back-to-back multiples and put a gap on the big board.
Van Asch and Bennett had a tight tussle all day with Van Asch just coming out on top with a four-shot rink win. Scottsdale secured two points with Nigel Chorley’s four-shot rink win over Shane Bowden.
Westbury was welcomed back to Premier after a year’s break with an all-rinks win over Bridport.
Les Watts and Denise Middap were dominant in their 23-shot rink win over Chris Walker. Kane Walker was consistent all day against Anthony Lowery, but came up just short thanks to solid performances by Wayne Hadley and Paul Lowery.
In Division 1 Trevallyn drew with Launceston overall, but was able to secure two rink wins in their 7-5 overall result. East Launceston showed their form early in an all-rinks win over Cressy.