Warrnambool Gold defeated Lawn Tennis Green 65-63 in a thrilling start to the season.

Success has come regularly for Warrnambool Gold in recent seasons, reaching the preliminary final in 2017/18 and winning premierships the previous two years.

Warrnambool Gold skipper Helen Lock is hoping that level of excellence can continue.

“We have a lot of new players this year so we are still getting used to how each other plays,” Lock said.

“It was pleasing to win today, Lawn Tennis Green played very well.”

Lock provides a steady hand for the Warrnambool Gold outfit, with plenty of experience on the greens.

“I started playing bowls 46 years ago,” she said.

“I have been at Warrnambool for the last 10 years and I still really enjoying playing.”

Lock has seen plenty of changes in local bowls during her career and has given the thumbs up to the transformation of the midweek competition to an open format.

“It certainly has changed the way midweek is played,” she said.

“It is a lot more even and it is more competitive than it once was.” 

Reigning premier City Memorial Gold started the season with a 75-63 win over Mortlake Blue.

Barbara Bibby, a member of the successful Gold team, said it was a hard-fought win.

“Credit to Mortlake, they played really well,” Bibby said.

“We were the benchmark last season so teams will probably be setting themselves to play well against us so it will be a competitive season.

“Our team has changed a bit so it was nice to get a win in the first game of the new year.”

In other round one matches, Koroit Orange made the most of a home-green advantage to defeat Dennington Red 82-61.

Terang Gold came out on top in a close contest against City Memorial Green , winning 78-74. 

The only team to win away from home in the opening round was Port Fairy Red, who made a successful road trip to Timboon. The Port Fairy team defeated Timboon Maroon 82-71.