IT'S not every day a first pops up almost five decades into marriage - but Tuesday was unique for Paul and Judy Symmons.
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The City Memorial pair - who boast more than 60 years of bowls experience between them - suited up as opposing thirds for the first time.
And they didn't tone down their competitive spirit.
Paul, who has been hitting the greens for 45 years, suited up with the Cramer Street powerhouse's top tier side Gold. Judy, meanwhile, represented its second tier outfit Green.
Paul's City Memorial Gold grabbed the chocolates - but it didn't come easy.
City Gold scored a 23-shot triumph.
"I gave him a run for his money early on," Judy told The Standard.
"I was actually looking forward to it, because we practice together all the time.
I was actually looking forward to (playing together), because we practice together all the time.
- Judy Symmons
"I think the better bowler you play against, you play better."
She described the on-green atmosphere as "light-hearted but competitive".
"You're always competitive. It's good fun though," Judy said.
"We go home and talk about the day and the bad and rotten balls we sent down and the good ones."
The couple moved to Warrnambool from Hamilton three years ago and haven't looked back.
Paul said they often wonder "why they didn't do it sooner".
Paul, who crossed to City Memorial from Warrnambool last year, arrived with the goal of winning a premiership.
"I've won two now, I won one in the Saturday pennant and also in the Tuesday," he said.
"It's been good."
Elsewhere, Warrnambool Gold held off Mortlake Blue in a thriller.
Gold scored a seven-shot win to move into equal first.
Timboon Maroon thumped Terang Gold, notching a 25-shot win.
It was the perfect response to its 42-shot trouncing at the hands of Warrnambool Gold the week prior.
Paul's City Gold will now face Warrnambool in a crunch derby next week to determine an outright first.
Judy's City Green is set to battle Koroit Orange as it strives to keep in touch with the top two.
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Nick Ansell
Nick Ansell is a sports journalist at the Warrnambool Standard.
Nick Ansell is a sports journalist at the Warrnambool Standard.
