A NEW bowls season has dawned and Wangaratta Bowls Club will once again have four sides in the weekend pennant competition.

The local club will have teams in the A1, A4, new A5 and B1 divisions for the weekend pennant, along with A1, A2, B1 and B2 in the midweek competition.

Wangaratta's B2 midweek team has merged with Wareena Park Bowls.

Wangaratta’s A1 team just missed out on finals last season and bowler Maurie Braden is hopeful his side can sneak into finals in 2024/25.

“I’d say we’ll be around the same mark as last year,” Braden said.

“Wodonga, Corowa RSL, and Yarrawonga will be the top sides and then the other five will be battling for that fourth position I would think.

“We had a practice match against Myrtleford last weekend and did okay with a few players out so hopefully that was a positive sign.”

Wangaratta will be hurt by the loss of Jodie Fruend who has relocated to Port Macquarie due to her husband Craig’s employment.

“Jodie will leave a massive hole,” Braden said.

“It’s sad to see her go but it will present an opportunity to someone else to step up in A1.

“Her husband Craig got a job up there and they were also looking for a change so we wish them all the best.

“She’s playing for NSW at the nationals in Tweed Heads which is great for her.”

Braden said the club’s greens are looking as good as ever at this time of year.

“The greens are fantastic,” he said.

“They look as good as they ever have coming out of winter I reckon.

“We’re hosting the O&M pairs in a couple of weeks so it’s good to have all four greens in great shape.”

This weekend, the A1 face the toughest assignment in the competition facing Wodonga at Wodonga, A4 play Benalla at home, A5 hosts Wodonga and B1 take on Myrtleford away.