Port Fairy defeated Terang 5-0 in round one of the season at Camperdown Golf Club on Monday to surge to the top of the ladder.

Four of the five contests were decided on the 18th hole, starting with teenager Joanna Flaherty who defeated Judy Carmody one-up on debut.

Anne Dwyer, back after a few years away from pennant, also enjoyed an impressive start, beating Kate Cornelissen 3/2.

Diana Robinson defeated Marion Venn one-up, Louise Cameron outlasted Leanne Ritchie two-up and Sue Holcombe beat Margie Driscoll one-up. Skipper Robinson said the win boded well for Port Fairy as it chased a return to the WGWD eastern conference grand final.

Robinson said the addition of Flaherty at the top of the order and the return of Dwyer at number two had strengthened the side.

“They were very narrow wins. Terang has always been a strong team. I was quietly confident,” she said.

“Joanna Flaherty, this year she’s doing an internship with (club professional) Paul Smith at Port Fairy. She’s always played over here.

“I said ‘Joanna, pennant will be very good for you’. It’s a different game, match play, each hole is a separate contest.”

Robinson said she was unsure how Port Fairy would fare during the rest of the pennant season.

“We’re quietly hoping but you can’t be sure of anything. Warrnambool are extremely strong, they always are,” she said.

“They’ve got a lot of pennant players. They’ll be a very tough opposition.” 

Three convincing contest wins were enough for Warrnambool to defeat Cobden 3-2 in the other match, reversing the result of the 2013 grand final.

Glenda Clarke defeated Jo Hammond 5/4 and Trish Sullivan beat Sherine Healey by the same margin. Sue Wilson also won, 4/2 against Thelma Green.

But Di Howland lost 3/2 to Fay Rundle and Alison Sinclair lost one-up to Debbie Rix as Cobden scored some joy.

Pennant action heads to Warrnambool Golf Club next Monday, with the hosts playing Terang and Port Fairy meeting Cobden.

afawkes@fairfaxmedia.com.au