There was little in the way of surprises in this week’s Campaspe Playing Area weekend pennant action, as sides begin to separate after round three.
Joint leaders Stanhope and Moama had almost identical results this week, the Steamers getting on top of Deniliquin, 14-62 to 2-54, while Stanhope scored marginally better in a 14-66 to 2-54 win over Echuca.
The majority of Moama’s margin came courtesy of Michael Linehan’s rink, his team of Arthur Bailey (lead), Rodney Werner (second) and Stuart Whyte (third) picking up a 22-13 win for their side.
Moama skip Robert Young also secured points 21-19, while Peter Chadderton masterminded the lone rink success for Deni.
Stanhope earned a 12-shot advantage in Ben Fletcher’s rink, his quartet performing well against the Echuca squadron led by Stan Barker.
Skip Ian Page ensured Echuca would walk away with some points, taking his rink 23-21 while Stanhope skip Gregory Fitzpatrick grabbed the remaining rink for his side.
Champion Mathoura notched its first victory of the year against strugglers Rich River at Mathoura Bowls Club, but the visitor was unfortunate to come away without any points in the 16-63 to 0-56 loss.
All three rinks were decided by four shots or less, the Cutters’ skips Dennis McHarry, Peter Pangrazio and Ricky Ireland each doing enough to sneak by their opposite numbers.
Tongala dolled out the biggest defeat of the round, proving too strong for Rochester 16-80 to 0-44.
The Tonny skips shared the burden in the dominant result, Bradley Tinning, Stephen Hammond and Glenn Fields each taking their rink by double-digit shots.
Moama and Stanhope remain undefeated leaders of the competition on 44 points apiece, with a gap having opened up to Tongala on 28 and Mathoura, 25.
Division two
Tongala and Echuca lead the way in division two, both sides remaining unbeaten this week.
Echuca was dominant against Stanhope, scoring big in a 16-73 to 0-41 drubbing.
Skip Stephen McCartney racked up a big score for Echuca, taking his rink 31-13, while Trevor Nagorcka and Lee Beattie had more moderate successes.
Tonny’s match-up with Rochester was much more closely run, finishing 14-60 to 2-54 in Tongala’s favour.
The rink of the tie was between opposing skips Kelvin Walsh (Tongala) and Kevin Hall (Rochester), where a single shot decided things in Tonny’s favour 22-21.
The other two wins resulted in a big win for each side, Rochester’s Graeme Chambers and Tongala’s Danny O’Brien picking up the points.
Moama prevailed against Deniliquin, 14-61 to 2-49, Trevor Eastwell and Colin Hayes scoring important wins for the Steamers.
Rich River scored its first win of the campaign, 13-57 to 3-54 at the expense of Deni RSL.
The tied rink between Rich River’s Brian Trengove and Deni’s Craig Taylor highlighted proceedings, while Tony Tonta scored points for RSL and Barry Brown triumphed for Rich River in the other rinks.
Division three
Moama Green won the local face-off, beating Moama Black 16-82 to 0-38, while Echuca defeated Rich River 14-64 to 2-51.
Mathoura couldn’t get past Elmore, 14-69 to 2-63, while Deniliquin took down Rochester, 14-69 to 2-63, and Deni RSL proved too strong for Lockington, 14-66 to 2-54.
Division four
Echuca defeated Stanhope 14-71 to 1-51, and Moama outfought Lockington 14-61 to 2-46.
Tongala showed quality against Ky Valley View, 12-70 to 4-53, while Rich River took out Mathoura, 12-68 to 4-61.
Division five
Echuca prevailed against Stanhope 12-53 to 2-36, and Moama won both rinks against Lockington 14-45 to 0-31.
Rochester and Deni RSL both forfeited their matches, to the benefit of Deniliquin and Elmore.