THE opening round of Bowls Sunraysia Midweek Pennant kicks off on Monday.
This season sees changes to local conditions of play which bring Sunraysia into line with the rest of the state.
Since unification in 2012 Midweek Pennant has been open gender allowing male and females to play.
Across the state that meant that men or women could captain each team but until this season Bowls Sunraysia season only allowed women to skip.
This condition has been removed and Midweek Pennant is truly open gender with no restrictions on players filling any position.
To get the Division 1 season underway Coomealla host Red Cliffs at the Thunderdome and the Cannons at home will be a very competitive unit if they can field their best side.
Red Cliffs on the other hand will be up for a fight with their Saturday Division 1 taking the battle right up to the Mildura Magic last weekend, and only fell at the last hurdle.
The Tigers will be on the prowl and pundits can expect a very tight tussle with the big cats to win by a whisker.
Ouyen take on last year’s premiers Mildura at Blackburn Park.
The Magic have some significant ins with Isaiah Bettess promoted to a skipping role.
The Two Blues’ Janet Vallance and Sue Kelly will provide plenty of fight at the pointy end but it will be the front halves: leads and seconds, that will set things up for Mildura. The Magic to win.
Finally, Irymple will welcome Workers to the Cauldron.
The Suns were a very competitive unit last season, going down narrowly to Mildura in the final.
They will be up and about again this season looking to go one better than last year.
Workers will have the job in front of them and will be pressing to make a solid start to gain the advantage early. The Sun’s to rise.
Division 2 sees only five clubs competing with Workers entering two sides.
Workers 2 take on Wentworth at Cureton Avenue and will need to be up and about as the Steamers will be looking to start the season with a whistle.
Underbool host the Euston Bandits at the Bool and on home turf are a very solid unit.
Much will depend on the Bandits selections and how teams match up on the day.
Kangas might have too much bounce and will hop away with this one.
Irymple at home play Workers 3 and the Sun’s will be tough to put away on their home turf and should take the points.
There is no Saturday Pennant this week due to the fact that Bowls Victoria have introduced a Women’s Country Carnival which concludes with finals over the weekend and as such no club’s across the state are permitted to play pennant.
