Tight at the top of pennant

AFTER round 8 the dust has yet to settle on the make-up of the four in Division 1 of Bowls Sunraysia Saturday Pennant.

Irymple with five wins sits on top of the table with 66 points, four clear of Mildura on 62.

Ironically Mildura have six wins but due to the fact that two side wins were the result of one rink carrying the day, they find themselves with fewer points.

Merbein sit in third spot with four wins but trail Mildura by 17 points.

The battle for third and fourth will be a belter as Ouyen and Workers trail Merbein by one point with Workers sitting outside the four on shot difference alone.

Red Cliffs sit in last place with two wins both against the top two sides in the competition.

This weekend Red Cliffs play host to Merbein. After last weekend’s results the Hawks will be looking to get back on the winning track to hold their place in the four.

The Tigers went close to upsetting Workers, winning on two rinks. The Tigers are a tough unit to crack on their home deck and will start favourites.

Workers have all to play for against Mildura with a spot in the four up for grabs. Their round 4 clash was won by the Magic with a big rink win by Mark Eckel’s four.

Saturday’s clash will be just as close. Both sides have a lot to play for and won’t leave anything in the tank. Magic tipped to salute.

Ouyen host Irymple at Blackburn Park and, after their clean sweep against Merbein last weekend, they will be keen to continue their run of form.

Janet Vallance’s rink led the way for the Two Blues last week. At home they are a solid unit and will take the match up to Irymple.

The side that settles first and gets a start will prevail. A home town victory would not surprise.

Division 2 ladder leaders Coomealla tackle Irymple at the Cauldron.

The Cannons took the points over the Suns in round 4 at home. Tomorrow the Suns have an opportunity to grab top spot. They will need to win on all rinks. Toss a coin.

Nangiloc take on Ouyen at the ‘Loc and should continue their winning streak. Ouyen have the capacity to fire but will need to have all guns blazing if they are to win.

Mildura and Workers do battle at Cureton Avenue. The Magic will be looking to get back on the winners’ list after going down last week. Workers got the points in their round 4 clash, winning by just three shots.

Don’t expect that it will be any different tomorrow. A handful of shots will separate the two at the end of the day. Toss a two headed coin to select the winner.

Division 3 match-ups include Wentworth tackling Red Cliffs. Steamers to paddle their way through this one.

Workers welcome Underbool to Cureton Avenue. The ‘Bool have all to play for with a spot in the four awaiting a win.

Merbein take on Euston and should win at home. Mildura tackle Irymple at the Cauldron and need a win to keep second spot secure.

In Division 4, Euston 2 are at home to Red Cliffs and should win. Irymple tackle Euston 3, with the Suns to rise to the occasion. Mildura 5 host Coomealla, second-v-first, home side to win. Mildura 4 host Underbool, heads or tails? Your call?

Congratulations to Janet Vallance who defeated Carolyn Coles, 28-25, in the final of Bowls Sunraysia State Singles played at Workers last Sunday.

In the men’s singles Glenn Scott went back to back by defeating emerging talent Isaiah Bettess 25-18 in a ripping final.