Linton has started life in the Ballarat District Bowls Division's Saturday Pennant premier division in perfect fashion.
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Last season's division one champions rattled Ballarat in the opening round of the 2020-21 campaign over the weekend, prevailing by five shots in a surprise victory.
It was clearly the rink skippered by Peter Wilson that lifted the team over the line. Wilson and his side of Ray Wilson, Nick Pearce and Rod Hetherington scored a 31-12 triumph over Ballarat's Matthew Cornish, Corey Fothergill, Zachary Stewart and Wes Lennecke. This helped secure the overall 61-56 scoreline.
Linton lead bowler Stewart Williams said it was a great result for his club, but not one the team members got too carried away with.
"We only had about four ends to go and I heard them say there was six in it overall. They (Ballarat) were certainly closing the gap, but it was a great experience for us guys," he said.
"We never sort of got all wound up. We were excited after, but it's only the first game.
"I think they (Ballarat) were a little bit shell-shocked to be quite honest."
Things don't get any easier for Linton in round two, with a home clash against reigning premiers Sebastopol.
On Saturday, Sebastopol opened the new season with victory against Mt Xavier.
The Kookaburras won two of the three rinks in an overall 61-55 triumph on their home deck.
Webbcona won just the one rink in the battle with Creswick, but still managed to prevail by three shots.
Skipper Barry McArthur scored the big win over Stephen Hepworth that helped his club over the line.
Victoria, which lost to Sebastopol in last season's grand final, opened the new campaign with a disappointing result against Ballarat Memorial Sports.
The big V lost 45-60 and won just one rink along the way.
Saturday's other victors were Learmonth in the clash with Buninyong, 61-55.
Round two of the BDBD Midweek Pennant gets underway this Tuesday.
