MILDURA Magic and the Irymple Suns clash head-on at the Cauldron on Saturday in what could be a dress rehearsal for the main dance of Sunraysia pennant bowls in March.
Mildura have jumped four games clear of the Suns, but will need to produce their A game against last year’s premiers.
The Suns will be keen to find form for the run home, currently sitting second with a 6-6 win loss ratio. Mildura will be without Mark Eckel, but Ron O’Neil stepped into the breach last week and produced the goods to get the Magic home.
Red Cliffs host Workers at Tiger Park.
At home the Tigers are very competitive playing on the magic carpet. After upsetting Merbein last week Workers will need to dial in early against a very competitive Red Cliffs side.
Workers need a win to consolidate their place in the four.
Next week they take on Mildura and Irymple in the last round, so a win this round is imperative.
Ouyen host Merbein at Blackburn Park in a real do-or-die contest for both sides.
An Ouyen win would see the Two Blues potentially jump clear of Workers and Merbein almost guaranteeing them of finals action.
A loss opens the gates and all of the aforementioned sides will be in a log jam heading into the last two home and away games.
The Two Blues will be without Mick Donaghy this week, but Norm Latta should be able to hold that rink together should he step into the breach.
Second division action is also hotting up.
Irymple sit one point behind Mildura, which is in second spot and this match-up could well decide the final four ladder positions.
Mildura survived a scare last week from Ouyen and will need to find their A game this week. The Suns shone brilliantly last week with an all points win. The Magic at home by a whisker.
Ouyen host Coomealla at Blackburn Park. After almost upsetting the Magic last week the Two Blues will be itching to have a crack at the Cannons.
Should an upset prevail the Cannons could find themselves dethroned as ladder leaders. Both Irymple and Mildura sit within a handful of points and top spot. Cannons should fire.
Workers are at home to Nangiloc. The home side have battled hard all season collecting two wins. Nangiloc sit comfortably inside the four and a win on Saturday would almost guarantee them finals action.
Division 3 moves into its second last round of matches before finals.
Top side Wentworth host Irymple, which desperately needs to collect a win if it has finals aspirations. The Steamers have been paddling along nicely and at home should have too much steam in the boiler.
Workers host Merbein. Both sides are a bridge too far from a finals appearance but there is all to play for. The Green and Gold sit at the bottom of the table and will be pressing for a win to rise a step or two and avoid the spoon. Merbein will progress.
Mildura host Red Cliffs at Cureton Avenue. The Magic should have too many tricks in the bag. A win is paramount if they are to hold on to the double chance come finals.
Underbool welcome the Euston Bandits to the “Far West”. Third plays fourth.
An Underbool victory will see them knocking on the door for a top-two ladder finish and the double chance.
A Euston win will cement a finals appearance, but also puts them into a position to have a shot at the double chance. Bool at home.
Division 4 this week has more sub plots than its TV show namesake.
Coomealla are almost certain to finish top of the table.
Mildura 4 and Irymple do battle at the Cauldron. The Suns will need to put together an impressive run home.
They need to collect two match wins and almost full points. At the end of the day, it could well come down to shot difference. Mildura 4 are 19 shots in arrears of Irymple, but sit 12 points clear.
Euston 2 host Mildura 5 in what will be a tight affair.
The Bandits sit inside the four only 2 points ahead of Underbool so have a lot to play for. A good win should see them in finals action.
Underbool take on Euston 3. The Bool are a tenacious lot. Playing at home they will be hunting for a good win to keep their finals aspirations alive. Home side to win. Look out Round 14.
Red Cliffs are at home to Coomealla. The Cannons sit comfortably at the top of the table but certainly won’t want to be complacent against the Tigers who will be prowling looking for a big finish to the season.
