By Chris Mitchell
THE final home and away round for the Bowls Sunraysia pennant presents some interesting assignments.
Merbein take on Mildura at Kenny Park and will be looking for a win and the opportunity to play finals.
Workers travel to Irymple and in a worst-case scenario, need to pick up at least one rink win to secure finals action.
Should Merbein whitewash Mildura and Workers fail, Merbein will be in and Workers will be out.
Ouyen will host the Coomealla Cannons at Blackburn Park and on current form, should collect the points.
Third spot is secure, but if Workers pull off a win over the Suns, it may allow Ouyen to jump to second.
A lot of crystal-ball gazing and a lot of what ifs.
One thing we can be assured of is that there will be six sides all giving their best.
On current form, Mildura Magic, the Irymple Suns and Ouyen should prevail in a tough final round.
The final four in second division has already been decided, however this weekend’s matches will settle the final pecking order.
Nangiloc host Irymple, and the Suns had a solid win last weekend and will be cock-a-hoop heading into this weekend’s match.
The Loc masters are a tough nut to crack at home and should prevail, keeping top spot and the opportunity to host a final.
Mildura face off against Red Cliffs at Cureton Avenue and will be looking for a good win, with the chance to grab top spot and a home final.
Red Cliffs will be hurting after their loss to Irymple last week and will want to finish off the home and away season strongly, ready to contest finals next week.
Workers host Merbein in their last hurrah for the year. Both sides will be looking for a win to close the books on a season of near misses. Workers at home look to have the edge but never discount a side that has been down on form in recent weeks.
Third division has five teams still in contention for finals action.
Mildura’s narrow loss to Workers last week saw them slip to fifth. On Saturday they head to Bandit country with the opportunity to regain a spot in the four and see finals action next week. Mildura by a handful. It might not be enough.
Top side Irymple host Workers at the Cauldron. Workers will need to be on song from the get-go.
The home side has nothing to lose with a home final already banked. Workers have everything to play for with their season firmly on the line. Top side to win.
Underbool play Ouyen at the “Bool” in what could well be a dress rehearsal for finals action next week.
They have played each other twice, with one game apiece and Underbool enjoying a one-shot advantage; the home side by five shots.
Division four matches see top side Coomealla hosting Irymple at the Fortress. Cannons to win comfortably.
Wentworth travel upstream to Cureton Avenue to take on Mildura.
The home side will be looking to round out the season with a win.
The Steamers have been a solid unit all season and should take the points.
Euston and Red Cliffs will have a trial run semi-final match-up.
The Bandits have worked hard all season and should collect the points at home.
