THE 2026-2027 Goulburn Murray Region Bowls season began last Saturday, with Alexandra Bowls Club’s Division Three travelling to Dookie who had won their way into Division Three after a win last season in the Division Four Grand Final. With 11 players unavailable for the round selectors were faced with the difficult task of filling both Division Three and Division Five. With players away on holiday, work commitments, injuries and family commitments, Division Five had to forfeit. Division Three had a pleasant drive to Dookie with Fallon’s once again sponsoring the club with a bus. Dookie has a grass green and it was running well. A strong breeze which is a regular feature and a clear sunny day made conditions perfect for the first game of the season. Well, near perfect, the flies were particularly friendly and there were a lot of them. Greg Gilmore (Skip), Larry Scott, Bob Benghamy and Marie Evans played a close game throughout the 21 ends. They were holding many shots on many ends but the Dookie skip played a brilliant game and often changed the result from five shots down to convert to one up with his last bowl. Dookie favoured long ends which were challenging and some wayward delivery of the jack by Alexandra’s Lead meant they were able to dictate the length. At the break the game was all tied at 13 all. Little changed after the break with ends being shared. However, by end 20 Alexandra had taken a three-shot lead, only to see this matched by the Dookie skip and the game finished in a Draw. Ian Harper (Skip), Ken Argent, Malcolm Gill and Mike Aldenhoven also had a close game which could have gone either way. Alexandra won 10 out of the 21 ends. It was five all on end seven and 11 all at the break. Alexandra led 15 to 13 on end 18 but Dookie countered with a three shot pick up on end 18 and then one shot on end 19 to lead 17 to 15. Alexandra won a shot on end 20, but Dookie won the last end and the game 18 to Alexandra 16. Tim Langmead (Skip), Scott Ferrier, Bob Mayfield and Saxon Langmead had a great start and were six to zero up on end three. They increased that lead to be 10 to three by end nine. Dookie won three out of the next four ends to still trail seven to 12 at the break. It was two ends each over the next four, but Alexandra still had a handy lead of 15 to nine on end 17. Then Dookie found a new gear and won six shots on end 18 to tie the game 15 all. Another multiple score to Dookie had them leading 19 to 16 on end 20. Despite winning the last end Alexandra lost the game 19 to 17. Doug Cooper (Skip), Andy Tobias, Warren Nelson and Clive Murphy won nine ends but faced some tough opposition. They were 10 to 15 down at the break but lost the next five ends to trail 10 to 25. They won the last two ends to lose 13 to 25. Dookie won the overall 78 to 62. Division Three will be looking to improve next round when they play at home against Shepparton Golf. Winners in Division Three on Saturday were Rushworth, Shepparton Golf and Mooroopna. Division Five are away to Seymour VRI next round who lost to Eildon by one shot on Saturday. Midweek Division Four are at Euroa on Tuesday so hopefully they can start the season off with a win. Members need to check the notice boards for the entry forms for the various club games. All players will be entered in the Singles so check who you have been drawn against. Friday evening social club is still providing a great start to the weekend, with all welcome.
