Sport
Gallery | Kyabram pips Shepparton Park in thriller as Edna Harling Shield season starts
The premier midweek pennant players of the Goulburn Valley Playing Area returned to the green on Tuesday as the division one Edna Harling Shield season got under way.
With the league introducing a staggered start to the 2022-23 season, the division one and five bowlers were forced to wait an extra fortnight, after division two, three and four action started on September 27.
But the longer wait didn’t affect the standard of competition, however, with the opening round of the Edna Harling Shield delivering a number of exciting results.
The headline act would come from Shepparton Park Bowls Club, as a visiting Kyabram bested the Parkers 13-75 to 3-70 in an enthralling clash.
Registering one rink win apiece, with the action in rink one resulting in a 25-25 draw, spectators were left on the edge of their seats as the match came to its conclusion.
In the end, Maree Boswell would prove the difference for the Bombers, with her rink two squad producing a decisive 30-22 triumph.
For Park it was the efforts of Margaret Thorne in rink two that were most impressive, as she orchestrated a gritty 23-20 victory.
Elsewhere, Seymour provided an opening round upset, toppling reigning premier Tatura-Hill Top at Seymour Bowls Club.
The Lions were dominant in rinks two and three, with Ian Eichfuss (33-16) and Max Hammond (28-17) giving them a decisive buffer.
Rod Madill ensured the Bulldogs wouldn’t make their way back up the Goulburn Valley Hwy empty handed, recording a strong 22-12 victory in rink one.
Shepparton Golf got its season off to a scintillating start, easily accounting for reigning division two premier Euroa 14-87 to 2-66.
Wayne Gribble was particularly strong for the Golfers in rink two, inspiring a clinical 42-19 triumph.
While East Shepparton rounded out the winners’ list with a dominant 16-76 to 0-55 victory over Rushworth.
Sweeping the rinks, Lynn Cain-Barber was the standout performer for the Eagles, with her rink two squad coming away a 24-14 winner.
In division two action, Kyabram once again stole the headlines with a thrilling 14-73 to 2-63 win over Tallygaroopna.
Winning two of the three rinks, Phillip Denham would prove the difference in the game, as he helped orchestrate a 31-18 victory in rink one.
This buffer would be decisive as Mick Hanna sent a scare into the Bombers camp, leading Tally to a 31-17 win in rink three.
The victory leaves Kyabram undefeated after three weeks.
Joining the Bombers in the blemish-free club was Shepparton Park, which bested Golf 14-71 to 2-59 in a tight contest away from home.
Heath Matthews was the star for the Parkers, inspiring an eye-catching 34-12 win in rink three.
Elsewhere, Tatura-Hill Top recorded its first win of the season, defeating cellar-dweller Mooroopna Golf 16-70 to 0-59.
Mooroopna held on for a tight 15-73 to 1-64 win over Stanhope.
While East Shepparton accounted for Seymour 14-75 to 2-59.
The theme of thrilling Kyabram victories continued into division three, as the Bombers defeated Shepparton Golf 14-67 to 2-66.
Claiming victory in two of the three rinks, Kyabram was buoyed by the efforts of Jan McFayden and her 28-15 victory.
Golf roared back into the contest courtesy of Lyne Lau in rink one, who put Ky to the sword with a clinical 30-16 triumph.
This made the final rink vital and it was Darryl Gade who prevailed, coming up big in the clutch to register a 23-21 win.
Remaining division three victors were Numurkah, Avenel, East Shepparton and Seymour VRI.
Rounding out the results, division four had Alexandra, Eildon, Shepparton Park, Dookie and Murchison emerge victorious.
While in the opening round of division five action, it was Shepparton Park, Avenel, Euroa and Rushworth that got their campaigns off to winning starts.