BOWLS
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Woonona made a forgettable start in Illawarra Grade 1 pennants, while champions Warilla and big guns Dapto Citizens were strong winners in Saturday's opening round.
Grade 2 promotion winners Bulli were left stranded when their club folded at the end of 2013 but most of their top bowlers found a new home at Woonona, who were granted Grade 1 status this year.
But there was no fairytale start as they were outclassed by Figtree RSL 83-39, who claimed all three rinks and the six competition points.
Warilla began the defence of their title strongly with a 66-52 (6-0) home win over Towradgi Park.
Shellharbour, in their last season of Illawarra pennants, with the club to close at the end of 2014, began with a thrilling 58-57 (4-2) away win over Wiseman Park.
Robbie Warren skipped his Wiseman Park rink to an 18-13 win over Daniel Johnson, while Greg Stevens and his Shellharbour partners beat Anthony Moran 28-16.
The 12-shot victory proved decisive with Wiseman Park's Australian rep Shane Garvey beating Mal Pearson 23-17.
Wiseman Park won two of the three rinks, but Shellharbour won on the big board 58-57 to take a 4-2 points win.
In the other round-one matches, Dapto Citizens won two of the three rinks in a 70-53 home victory over last season's semi-finalists Corrimal.
Albion Park also won two rinks at home to Thirroul in a tight 66-62 (5-1) win.
In Grade 2, Dapto Citizens beat Wiseman Park 61-55 (5-1); Warilla beat Towradgi 70-66 (4.5 to 1.5); Dapto beat Windang 56-47 (5-1) and Kiama won all three rinks and six points against Oak Flats in an 82-58 victory.
In Saturday's round two in Grade 1, Citos will host Thirroul, Shellharbour are at home to Albion Park, Towradgi host Figtree RSL, Woonona welcome Wiseman Park and Corrimal are playing at home against Warilla.