By Chris Mitchell
MERBEIN’S Jack Anderson and his rink ensured the Hawks remain on the cusp of the Bowls Sunraysia Pennant top four.
Anderson, David Gray, Glenn Sica and Evan Rice were in top gear on Saturday, accounting for Workers’ Darren Cordwell 33-14 as their club went on to win overall by four shots, 71(8) – 67(4) at Kenny Park.
Merbein are just a game shy of fourth-placed Workers with three rounds remaining before finals.
Workers’ Butch Pollock took out Laurie McLaine 28-19 and Roger Bray kept Shawn Fullerton’s rink quiet, recording a 25-19 win, but it was not enough to cover Anderson’s performance with the Hawks pressing for a finals appearance.
Mildura produced the magic against Ouyen at Blackburn Park with Mark Eckel’s rink of Ken Yeowart, Russell Kneebone and Judy Osborne collecting the chocolates with a resounding 34-7 win over Steve Simmonds.
Keith Sharman’s four also applied the pressure and finished with a 36-16 win over Sue Kelly.
Ouyen’s Janet Vallance took the game right up to Chris Mitchell but the latter’s leader John Simpson had a solid day out, setting up the match win 21-18. Overall, Magic 91(12) defeated Ouyen 41(0).
Irymple hosted Coomealla at the Cauldron and recorded a 74(10) to 58(2) victory.
Graeme Lynch, promoted to skip, went down to Brandon Tyers 19-23. Tanner Dickson-Arthur got over Rod Taylor 25-18 and Tom Hogan, with a new look “Heroes”, outfit recorded a solid 30-17 win over Adrian Barko.
The competition in Division 2 continues to throw up challenges.
Workers rolled Irymple at Cureton Avenue, keeping their finals chances slightly aglow. Workers 78(10) d Irymple 71(2). Ron Boyd (S), Brian Horton, Kerry Wallace and Richard Clarke ere the best rink with a 29-18 win over John Harmer.
Red Cliffs had their colours lowered by Nangiloc, with the visitors recording an all-rinks win 71(12) – 52(0). Toby Moore (S), Matt Andrews, Robert Groves and Shane Moore were the best performers with a 26-17 win over Trevor Clarke.
Mildura took a step up the ladder with an all-rinks win over Merbein. They now sit on level points with Nangiloc, but have a significant deficit on shots up. Mildura 88(12) d Merbein 53(0).
Irymple’s third division side have jumped two games clear of the field with three games remaining after their comprehensive all-rinks 30-shot win over Ouyen. Irymple 84(12) d Ouyen 54 (0).
Euston Bandits struggled against a solid Workers outfit going down on all rinks 59(0) – Workers 76(12).
Underbool jumped a spot to second after a stirring 68(10) – 59(2) victory over the Magic.
Coomealla have taken bragging rights after their 77(10)-70(2) win over the Wenty Steamers in the Division 4 match of the day. They are one game clear on top of the table.
Euston Bandits hit the visiting Irymple Suns with all guns blazing, pulling off an 84(12) – 56(0) all points win. Mildura hosted the Red Cliffs Tigers who collected an eight-shot win 67(10) – 59(2).
LADDERS
Division 1: Mildura 100, Irymple 98, Ouyen 81, Workers 64, Merbein 51, Coomealla 38.
Division 2: Nangiloc 85, Mildura 85, Irymple 83, Red Cliffs 76, Workers 59, Merbein 44.
Division 3: Irymple 111, Underbool 91, Ouyen 85, Workers 66, Mildura 55, Euston 24.
Division 4: Coomealla 101, Wentworth 94, Euston 78, Red Cliffs 69, Irymple 46, Mildura 44.
