City Memorial Red skipper Vince Moloney believes the division one competition is the closest it’s been in years.

Reigning premier Warrnambool Gold and City Memorial Red have raffled off the top prize for the best part of two decades but Moloney feels the 2014-15 season will throw up a number of surprises.

Moloney said it would add intrigue to the flag race.

“Port Fairy has improved, Dennington are going along well, Koroit are certainly an improved team and will be right there and Timboon is doing good,” Moloney said.

“Over the last few years it’s been Warrnambool and City but this year it’s changed.”

City Memorial Red, which lost its first two games, returned to form in emphatic fashion on Saturday, trouncing Mortlake Blue 141-62.

It won three rinks and Moloney drew with George Draffen.

Kevin O’Keeffe’s thumping 57-7 rink win set the tone. “The others were relatively close,” Moloney said. “Our rink had a draw and had a very good game with George Draffen’s team. George bowled very, very well.”

Moloney expects City Red to build on the promise it showed against Mortlake Blue.

“We still have a bit of improving to do but I think that improvement is there, no worries,” he said.

“There will probably be a couple more changes in the next week or two and then we’ll settle the side down.”

Terang Green edged home against Dennington Red 88-87.

Dan Morrison’s 31-13 win against John Hovard was enough for Terang Green to sneak home.

Morrison said it was a hard-fought win.

The game was all square with one end to play.

Jamie Heffernan drew his rink, paving the way for a Terang Green win.

Morrison said it was an important result for Terang Green.

“It puts us back in the pack,” he said.

“We have had two wins and a loss so we’re still in the hunt.

“It looks like it’s going to be an up-and-down season.

“We are only a little club so we try and match it with the big boys.”

Lawn Tennis Red is still searching for its first division one win after Warrnambool Blue ran away with a 113-80 win.

Warrnambool Blue won three rinks, with Robert Prout’s 20-19 triumph over Bryan Sheehan the only highlight for Lawn Tennis Red.

Warrnambool White scored a confidence-boosting 104-86 win against City Memorial Gold, with Graeme Sharp’s 35-13 rink result the catalyst.

Koroit Blue and Warrnambool Gold both made it three wins on the trot.

Koroit Blue was too strong for Timboon Gold 93-72 and Warrnambool Gold accounted for Port Fairy Red 104-86 after splitting rinks.

justine.mc@fairfaxmedia.com.au