By Chris Mitchell
A REJUVENATED Irymple Suns have returned to the Saturday pennant bowls winners’ list with an all-points win over Mildura.
Irymple’s Matt West (S), David Gray, Graham Newey and Mick Legin jumped Mark Eckel’s rink of Ken Yeowart, Bernard McCarthy and Jayden Taylor from the get-go and stormed away to a decisive 32-11 win.
Leading at the halfway mark by one shot, the Suns applied the heat in the second stanza with both Chris Madigan and Graeme Lynch lifting their rinks from deficits to collect hard-earned wins.
Madigan defeating Keith Sharman 27-22 and Lynch holding on to record a 22-20 win over Pollock to see Irymple win overall 81(12) to 53(0).
Workers took the points against Red Cliffs at Tigerland with a solid 22-shot victory.
The Green and Gold conceded only one point when Neville Mitchell drew with Michael Clifford 18 shots apiece.
Peter Bishop continues to keep his rink firing, getting over Fred Giugno 27-15 and Fred Bacon outpointed Carolyn Coles 28-18.
The overall result saw Red Cliffs 51(1) lose to Workers 73(11).
Workers now sit in second spot on the ladder and will host Mildura at Cureton Avenue in round 4.
Ouyen hosted Merbein at Blackburn Park and took the game right up to the Hawks, winning on two rinks; Mick Donaghy outpointing Jeff Greenhill 20-17 and Alan Crook getting the better of Laurie McLaine 28-21.
But it was David Maud, Eric Watson, Allan Johnston and John Pineo who collected the chocolates for the Hawks with a barnstorming 40-13 win over Harry Munro’s quartet.
The Hawks winning the day 78(8) – 61(4).
Second division continues to heat up with some big results over the weekend.
Coomealla have taken command of the competition and sit top of the table with three straight wins.
Travelling to Ouyen the Cannons scored a 72(11) to 65(1) win over the Two Blues.
Workers drew with Nangiloc with two rink wins to Ron Boyd and Col Gowers to take a 10-shot lead but Jamie Forte resurrected the Loc masters with a respectable 25-15 win over Dianne Smith.
Workers 66(7) drew with Nangiloc 66(5).
Mildura at home to Irymple took full toll over the Suns with a solid all-rinks win 74(12) to 49(0).
Jon Underwood’s rink of Reg Gardner, Rob Hanns and Fran Richards doing major damage with a 36-16 win over Terry Bourke’s quartet.
In Third Division, the Euston Bandits continued their unbeaten run recording a 77(10) to 59(2) win over Workers.
The Bandit rink of Anthony Tormey, John Bond, Bev Bond and Dion Morgan did the damage with a 34-18 win over Neil Hurley’s rink.
Irymple had a resounding win over Red Cliffs, 99(12) to 51(0).
Russell Lynch had his rink of Rob Harrigan, Anne Kellett and Rita Lynch shining brightly as they won 34-12 over Steve Spry.
Wentworth steamed into contention toppling Mildura 69(10) to 58(2).
The Deputy, Col Sherriff, skipped his rink of Alan Behsmann, Sue Nichols and Rob Matthews to a 27-20 win over Ian Livingston to set up the side win.
Merbein saluted at Kenny Park with a good win over Underbool.
Ollie Dichiera’s rink of Bryce Midgley, Sid Nash and Daniel Lee took the points over Alan Stone’s four with a 24-17 rink win to set up the Hawks. Merbein 69(10) d Underbool 59(2).
Fourth Division competition has the top four sides all having recorded two wins and a loss.
Coomealla heads up the table on shot difference from Irymple and Mildura.
Mildura 4 defeated Euston 3 53(8) to 34(0).
Irymple 4 48(8) were narrow winners over Underbool 2 43(0).
Euston 2 lost to Coomealla 47(2) – 56(6).
Mildura 5 lost to Red Cliffs 38(2) – 52 (6). This match was highlighted with two first gamers, Jace Dunstan and Max Pegus, both aged 10 contributing to their rinks 28-14 win over Brenda Lindsay.
LADDERS
Division 1: Irymple 26, Workers 20, Mildura 20, Merbein 18, Red Cliffs 13, Ouyen 11.
Division 2: Coomealla 31, Irymple 24, Mildura 24, Nangiloc 19, Workers 7,Ouyen 3.
Division 3: Euston 34, Wentworth 23, Mildura 22, Irymple 14, Underbool 13, Red Cliffs 12, Merbein 12.
Division 4: Coomealla 16, Irymple 16, Mildura 4 16, Underbool 12, Euston 2 12, Mildura 5 10, Euston 3 8.
