King, who has transferred from Alder Park, has been named as third for Jason Pietraszek in the side to meet Raymond Terrace in the opening round.

"I have bought a caravan and as I will be spending a fair bit of time up that way over the next 12 months I decided to play with Soldiers Point," he said.

King has been beaten in the past two Newcastle district No.1 grade pennant finals.

He was a skipper in the Kahibah side beaten by one shot by Soldiers Point in 2008 and played in the Alder Park side that was run down by Swansea last year.

Neville Downes and John Collins will be the other skippers against Raymond Terrace.

Mick Beesley, who is also in contention for a skipper's role, is on holidays and will miss the match.

David McPherson, who played in No.2 grade last year, will be chasing the vacant front-end position created by the transfer of Jim Towers to Raymond Terrace.

[PI9017] Jim Towers will reunite with Jason Stokes when he returns to Raymond Terrace on Tuesday.

Towers won the 2002 Newcastle district fours championship and the 2006 Newcastle district triples, both times leading for Stokes.

He will be one of four new faces vying for a spot in the Jets' top-grade line-up.

Jarrod Gorsuch, who won the Newcastle district junior fours title last year, has transferred from Toronto Workers and will play lead for Lennon Scott.

Raymond Terrace have also gained 25-year-old Brendan Baker from East Inverell and Brendon Plunkett from Cardiff.

They have been named at third and second respectively for bowls manager Clay Parker.

The Jets have lost Ben Brown to East Maitland.

[PI9017] Swansea will trial former Newcastle district junior champion Clinton Doust as a third when they meet Kurri Kurri at Beresfield on Tuesday night.

Doust has been given his opportunity in the back end as third for Sam Laguzza after having played second last year.

Brothers Matthew and Scott Baus will be the other skippers.

Michael Abel will play third for Matthew and Brad Jarvis will be third for Scott.

Swansea have only one change to the line-up that won the Newcastle district No.1 grade pennant last year.

Garry Copping is taking a year off and his place has been taken by Newcastle district junior fours champion Chris Taylor, who will play second for Laguzza.

[PI9017] The Newcastle District Bowling Association office will reopen tomorrow morning after the festive season break.