By Ian Milgate
Healesville had both sides at home for the opening of the 2024/25 Pennant Bowls Season.
The first side has been promoted to third. division this season after winning the flag last season.
The team knew this year would be a real challenge to them, stepping up a division and losing some quality players at the end of last season.
They were playing Ferntree Gully who are used to playing on fast greens, in particular their own, so they were hoping this may give Healesville a home ground advantage as the green runs a fair bit slower.
At the half time break, the team were up by eight shots and then when they came back out they continued to draw away finally winning by 12 shots 76/64.
A great effort by everybody.
The team will play Lilydale next week at Lilydale.
First Side
Ian Milgate, Mick Featherstone, Bob Brown, Mark Ward 18/14
Barry Parker, Effie Laban, Rob Broadhurst, Steve Graham 24/17
Bernard Godde, Rita Featherstone, Chris Hawting, Steve Bulled 20/16
Gerda Otto, John Fitzpatrick, Robyn Turville, Colin Jarvis 14/17
The second side played Mooroolbark who are a strong club with plenty of members to choose from.
Healesville has always struggled for members,
Although Healesville had three new members to the club this year, Bernard Godde, John McMillan and John Allen who have stepped up to play Pennant.
Healesville got away to a good start and at the half time break were looking good.
And like the first side they came out with determination and in the end won comfortably by eight shots 72/64.
The team must give credit to Sarah Gallacher, John McMillan, John Allen and Bernard Godde for their great effort on the day.
Also John Howard and Judy Veermann who were moved up to a skip position and did a great job for their first effort.
Next week they play Doncaster at Doncaster.
Second Side
Ken Gallacher, Jim Vickers, Russell Smith, Mike Adams 27/22
Leonie Fitzpatrick, John Mc Millan, Sarah Gallacher, John Howard 25/17
John Allen, Karl Tok, Glenda Graham, Judy Veermann 20/25
Well done both teams in the first week of Pennant.
