By Chris Mitchell
MILDURA Magic secured top spot and a home final in Bowls Sunraysia pennant after earning the points over the Workers at Cureton Avenue.
Mildura started well to surge to a solid lead at the halfway mark, before Workers hit back to square the ledger with seven ends to play.
Chris Mitchell’s rink chimed in with a 26-15 win over Roger Bray, while Mark Eckel had his colours lowered by Ian “Butch” Pollock 19-24, leaving Keith Sharman trailing Ken Job by four with two ends to play.
Sharman worked his magic and scored a three and a single to tie his match 25-25, guiding Mildura home by six shots, 70 (9) to 64 (3).
Merbein kept their slim finals chances alive with a 17-shot win over Coomealla.
Shawn Fullerton led the way for the Hawks with 26-16 win over Tom Bath. Rod Taylor kept the flag flying for the home side with a 26-25 win over Jack Anderson.
Laurie McLaine’s rink continued their good form winning 27-19 over Brandon Tyers, allowing Hawks to win 78 (10) to 61 (2).
Ouyen returned to the winner’s list, defeating Irymple by six shots, 71 (9) to 65 (3)
Janet Vallance defeated Tanner Dickson-Arthur 25-18, while Sue Kelly drew with Graeme Lynch 25-all.
Tom Hogan and his team of “Heroes” kept the Suns light shining in the background with a narrow 22-21 win over Steve Simmonds.
Division 2 ladder leaders Nangiloc took the points against Merbein in a real tough hit out.
The home side looked the goods when Scott Pollock rolled Ben Mansell 27-17.
Toby Moore kept the Loc in the hunt when his rink secured a 24 -17 win to narrow the margin to three in favour of the Hawks. But Jamie Forte’s rink snuck in over Orlando Dichiera 20-16 to give the ladder leaders a one-shot win and 10 valuable points. Nangiloc 61 (10) d Merbein 60 (2).
Mildura remain in the hunt for top spot following their win over Workers 84 (10) to 69 (2).
The highlight of the match was Bill Hobbs’ rink of Peter Ellis, Chris Barry and Glenys Yeowart collecting an elusive eight-badge in their 35-22 rink win.
Mildura and Nangiloc are equal on points going into the last home and away game. Both teams will be searching for a win and the guarantee of a home final.
Irymple Suns rose to collect an all points win over Red Cliffs 84 (12) to 58 (0) in a complete reversal of form from the previous week.
Phil Newton, Gus Storer, Phil Connell and Chris Scott were the stand out performers with a 37-18 win over Fred Guigno.
Ouyen stayed in touch with the top flight in Division 3 with a 74 (10) to 58 (2) win over Euston.
Reg Dean’s rink of Nev Jay, Lorraine Hickmott and Barry Dean setting up the win with a 26-15 win over Phil Cattanach.
Underbool at home could not find the right recipe over a rejuvenated Irymple side who took the points 75 (10) to 66 (2).
Lorraine Millward’s rink of Gary Metcalf, Russell Lynch and Terry Wright leading the way with a 33-23 win over Col Lockett.
Workers upset Mildura and snuck back into the four with a one rink win over the home side 68 (8) to 64 (4).
Jim Jeffery, Brian Kolpin, Geoff Castleman and Joy Stevens did the damage with a 36-10 win over Marcus Scott.
Division 4 ladder leaders Coomealla survived a fright at Red Cliffs winning 76 (8) to 71 (4). Euston took toll of Mildura winning 72 (10) to 52 (2). Irymple put a dent in Wentworth with a resurgence to top form, winning 80 (10) to 65 (2). Jill Duncan, Ivor Minney, Rod Ellis and John Doherty were the big winners 39-19 over Jeremy Pappin.
LADDERS
Division 1: Mildura 119, Irymple 103, Ouyen 94, Workers 77, Merbein 69, Coomealla 42.
Division 2: Nangiloc 105, Mildura 105, Irymple 97, Red Cliffs 88, Workers 63, Merbein 46.
Division 3: Irymple 121, Ouyen 106, Underbool 95, Workers 75, Mildura 71, Euston 36.
Division 4: Coomealla 120, Wentworth 108, Euston 89, Rd Cliffs 73, Mildura 58, Irymple 56.
