By Chris Mitchell
IRYMPLE kept pace with ladder leaders Mildura heading into the Christmas break with another strong performance in Sunraysia pennant bowls on Saturday.
The Suns collected a 22-shot win over Merbein to open up a gap on third-placed Ouyen, while Mildura survived an almighty scare against bottom side Coomealla.
Graham Lynch kept Jack Anderson’s rink quiet with a 27-13 win for the Suns. Rob Hogan kept the “Heroes” unit firing, skipping in the absence of Tom, with a 28-12 win over Laurie McLaine. Merbein’s Shawn Fullerton countered for the Hawks with a 29-21 win over Matt West, but the Suns had the answers, winning 76 (10) to 54 (2).
Workers fired at home to take the points against Ouyen in a close encounter, winning 65 (10) to 61 (2).
Steve Simmonds got Ouyen off to a solid start with a 27-10 routing of Ken Job before Roger Bray took the points over Janet Vallance 25-18 to narrow the margin. Butch Pollock gained the upper hand over Sue Kelly’s rink with a 30-16 win.
Coomealla almost pulled off an upset at home against Mildura Magic. The locals went to the break holding a 13-shot lead and looked the goods with Adrian Barko’s rink keeping Mark Eckel under wraps.
The Magic took the game up to the Cannons after the break, Keith Sharman recording a last end 25-23 win over Rod Taylor.
Eckel went down to Barko 21-28. John Simpson, Lindsay Lynch and Isaiah Bettess teamed well after “Smoko” to produce some ripping bowls against Brandon Tyers’ rink to collect a 24-18 win and ultimately a one shot side win for the Magic. Mildura 70 (10) defeated Coomealla 69 (2).
Upsets were a plenty in division two.
Mildura turned the tide on Nangiloc after a humiliating 42-124 loss in Round 6, winning all rinks in a dominant 88 (12) to 50 (0) victory, which has rekindled their finals aspirations. Hobbs and Co led the way with a 33-11 win over Toby Moore.
Merbein clean bowled top side Irymple 85 (12) to 53 (0). Scott Pollock (S), Tony Cavallaro, Bruce Davey and Hayley Hlansy defeated Phil Newton’s four 30-16 to help the Hawks to an all rinks win.
Red Cliffs were in no mood to follow the upsets. President Maurie Press (S), Fred Guigno, John Cecchi and Luke Savaidas-Milne scored the magic 50 shots in defeating Workers’ Wayne Long 50-7. The Tigers 85 (12) defeated Merbein 53 (0).
Division three ladder leaders Irymple took a no nonsense approach in their game against Euston, winning 93 (12) to 53 (0). Underbool journeyed to Cureton Avenue to take on Workers and kept their finals aspirations alive with a 73 (10) to 58 (2) victory. Ouyen collected all the points on offer against Mildura, the Two Blues winning 75 (12) to Mildura 52 (0).
The top two sides in division four maintained their dominance, recording good wins. Coomealla was impressive in an all rinks win over Mildura 90 (12) to 71 (0), while Wentworth was too strong for Euston, winning 75 (10) to 67 (2). Red Cliffs defeated Irymple 75 (10) to 49 (2), highlighted by a 3-9 win by Ian Bliss (S), Brenda Lindsay, Glenn Jopling and Keith Roger over Julie Lowerson.
Ladders
Division one: Mildura 88 (102), Irymple 88 (57), Ouyen 73 (42), Workers 68 (31), Merbein 43 (-99), Coomealla 36 (-133).
Division two: Irymple 81, Red Cliffs 76, Nangiloc 73, Mildura 73, Workers 49, Merbein 44.
Division three: Irymple 99, Ouyen 85, Underbool 81, Workers 54, Mildura 53, Euston 24.
Division four: Wentworth 92, Coomealla 91, Euston 66, Red Cliffs 59, Irymple 46, Mildura 42.
