MILDURA Magic took early control of their game against ladder leaders Irymple in the Sunraysia Saturday Pennant bowls competition.
The Magic were in front from the get-go and had the Suns looking for an arising to get back into the game.
Magic’s Isaiah Bettess, third for Keith Sharman, played a blinder, never letting his opposition in with a look.
Sharman commanded his rink of Bettess, Peter Ellis and Lindsay Lynch to a 34-15 win over Chris Maddigan.
Next door, Matt West piloted his Irymple rink to a 24-22 win, with Mildura import Butch Pollock holding Irymple gun Graham Lynch to a tie going into the last end.
Lynch responded by removing the only Magic bowl in the head to score four shots and continue his rink’s undefeated run after eight rounds as Mildura 74(8) defeated Irymple 61(4).
Workers continue to be finals contenders with a narrow win over Red Cliffs.
Eddie Vuik stepped up to skip for the Green and Gold to lose narrowly to Michael Clifford 24-26, while Ken Job got over Trevor Clarke 26-19.
With all the work to do, Maurie Press needed a handful of shots over the last few ends to put the Tigers in front, however Roger Bray kept things tight going down to Press 22-24 with Workers winning 72(8) to 69(4).
Ouyen were on the hunt after a narrow loss to Mildura last week and took full toll of Merbein.
The Hawks have been up and about in recent weeks, but the Two Blues were in no mood to listen and swiftly put the Hawks to the test.
Mick Donaghy kept Jeff Greenhill quiet by recording a 22-all draw, while Alan Crook had all the answers for Laurie McLaine in winning 28-16.
Two Blues skip Janet Vallance piloted her rink of Harry Munro, John Turnbull and Judy Pengelly to a ripping 34-17 win over David Maud to see Ouyen the winners 84(11) to 55(1).
Second Division matches went almost to script.
Irymple outscored Mildura to record a 33-shot win with Ian Kellett, Ian McLean, Phil Connell and Greg Brown upending Jon Underwood 40-16 to set up the Suns’ win 89(10) to 56(2).
Coomealla continued to salute the judge by recording a solid 28-shot victory against Ouyen.
Adrian Barko, Fred Posgate, Dinky Nichols and Tania Gust led the way with a 33-19 win over Reg Dean, the Cannons winning 82(11) to 54(1).
Nangiloc returned to the winners’ circle defeating Workers on all rinks 90(12) to 56(0).
Toby Moore, Wade Duncan, David Goldup and Sarah Gilmore were the standout performers for the ‘Loc with a 32-15 win over Ian Lowe.
The top four teams have moved clear of the field with Nangiloc in fourth place 15 points clear of Workers in fifth.
Third Division matches saw no real upsets.
Top side Wentworth took all the points against Underbool in an away game, 71(12) to 56(0).
Mildura had enough in the tank when the game was called early due to heat, the home side winning 68(10) to Workers 45(2), while Irymple jumped into the four with an all rinks win over Euston, 82(12) to 54(0).
Merbein have jumped to third place after recording a 24-shot, all-rinks win over Red Cliffs 79(12) to 55(0).
In Division 4, Irymple were too good for Red Cliffs 55(8) to 38(0), Euston 2 finished strongly to collect the points against Underbool 56(6) to 39(2), Coomealla kept a firm hold on top spot with a solid 32-shot win over Mildura 4, and Mildura 5 received a forfeit from Euston 3.
LADDERS
Division 1: Irymple 66, Mildura 62, Merbein 45, Ouyen 44, Workers 44, Red Cliffs 27.
Division 2: Coomealla 76, Irymple 66, Mildura 61, Nangiloc 43, Workers 28, Ouyen 14.
Division 3: Wentworth 76, Mildura 59, Merbein 50, Irymple 49, Underbool 48, Euston 48, Workers 28, Red Cliffs 26.
Division 4: Coomealla 54, Mildura (5) 40, Irymple 36, Mildura (4) 34, Euston (2) 32, Underbool 22, Euston (3) 22, Red Cliffs 16.
