Edna Harling Shield clubs jostled to make an early impression in the division one midweek pennant competition, and an enterprising dozen of Shepparton Golf’s finest bowlers achieved just that against the reigning premier.
Euroa made the trip out to the Golfers home green, but beset by a three-pronged attack of Peter Lesueur (19-17), Alan Dove (21-19) and a barn-storming quartet helmed by skip Kris Wright (29-20), it eventually fell to a 13-shot defeat.
For Shepparton Golf, the win offers some revenge for last season’s preliminary final defeat to Euroa and a week perched atop the ladder.
Across town, grand finalist Shepparton Park’s road to redemption began with a first-up clash against Seymour VRI.
The Graeme Myers-skipped quartet made a slick comeback on the final three ends to hand the Parkers a three-shot win, but that rink proved an outlier compared to the wide margins seen on the remaining two.
Seymour’s Wayne Noonan was a resounding 24-13 winner, but Paul Warren’s four were in fine fettle to run away a 23-shot victor, spurring Shepparton Park to a 65-50 result.
However, match of the round honours went to Seymour and Tallygaroopna.
The visiting Seymour went two rinks up thanks to Robert Brown (25-15) and Dale Sellick (17-16), but Redlegs skip Mick Hanna and his four produced a clutch 21 ends to win by 14 shots, clearing Seymour by only three overall.
Meanwhile, Harling Shield newcomers Nagambie announced their arrival in style, wasting no time making their presence felt at the top level.
The division two premiers of last season handed Tatura Hill Top a 19-shot defeat on their first attempt, ensuring they head into round two second on the ladder.
They will hope to stay there when they make the trip across to Seymour VRI, while Euroa will be hoping to avoid a 0-2 start when it faces Tallygaroopna at home.
Shepparton Golf is aiming for the reverse, and a 2-0 win-loss could belong to the Golfers if they can topple Tatura Hill Top.
Seymour hosts Shepparton Park to close out round two next Tuesday, October 20.
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