This week’s weekend pennant action in the Campaspe Playing Area saw the league’s top four sides justify their ladder position, earning wins over the bottom four teams.
The most dominant win of the round came from Stanhope, which took all three rinks to keep Rich River winless.
Timothy Hancock’s six-shot margin was the most impressive for the league-leader, while Gary Radford was the skip who came closest for Rich River, going down 18-21 in his rink.
Ben Fletcher skipped Stanhope to success in the remaining rink, 19-14.
Visiting Moama Bowling Club, Rochester earned points in two rinks but fell overall to Moama 13-51 to 3-46.
Rodney Werner’s win gave Moama the victory as he skipped his side to a 22-11 triumph in his rink.
Les Walles pulled points back for Rochy in an 18-12 win and the remaining rink ended level 17-all, with nothing between Moama skip Robert Young and Rochester’s Tim Quinlan.
Fourth-placed Deniliquin earned itself separation from fifth-placed Echuca, taking their match 14-54 to 2-43 at Echuca Bowls Club.
Simon Chisholm earned a healthy advantage for his side, picking up a 23-7 win over Echuca skip Ian Page.
Deni’s Jamie Shields also came out on top, 21-17 in his rink, while Stan Barker ensured Echuca would walk away with at least two points, taking his rink 19-10.
The grand final rematch between Mathoura and Tongala was closely fought, but it was Tonny which gained a measure of revenge for its defeat in the 2023-24 decider with a 13-58 to 3-53 win.
Stephen Hammond’s rink proved the difference maker, the Tongala skip taking it 24 shots to 14.
Dennis McHarry bowled well in Mathoura’s rink win, picking up points with a 20-15 victory.
The remaining rink finished deadlocked, 19-all after a fierce battle between Peter Pangrazio’s Mathoura quartet and Glenn Fields’ Tongala foursome.
Division two
In division two, Rochester had a tougher time against Moama, going down to the Steamers in all three rinks, 0-50 to 16-74.
Six shots was the closest Rochy came, Anton Gusak going down to Colin Hayes 20-14 in his rink, while Moama’s Ben Franklin and Russell Kelly picked up larger wins.
Rich River scored big against Stanhope taking all three rinks in a 16-73 to 0-44 triumph.
Brian Trengove’s 26-13 win was Rich River’s largest, while Norm Hodge also earned a double-digit margin.
The closest match of the round was between Tongala and Deni RSL, only two shots separating the sides in Tonny’s 13-63 to 3-61 win.
Tongala’s Danny O’Brien and RSL’s Linda Harris drew their rinks, while Noel West’s three-shot victory was enough to earn Tonny the overall points.
Deniliquin grabbed important points against Echuca, prevailing 14-59 to 2-51.
Brian Kemnitz and Paul Snare both won rinks for Deniliquin to earn their side the victory.
Division three
In division three, Lockington grabbed a win over Echuca 14-61 to 2-51, skip John Fisher masterminding the biggest success for Lockington, 23-12.
Elmore was victorious over Moama Black, 14-61 to 2-51, after wins from skips Keith Brooks and Raymond Williams.
Moama Green retained its undefeated record, pulling off close wins against Rochester in all three rinks, 16-56 to 0-47.
Deniliquin had a one shot win over Mathoura 14-61 to 2-60, skips Mark Law and Raymond Hay each earning points for Deni.
In a match of large margins, Rich River had the better of the rinks, big wins to Barry Cox and Roger Teasdale giving their side a 14-69 to 2-59 win over Deni RSL.
Division four
In division four, Lockington scored big over Echuca 14-78 to 2-55, with Kalvan Stout’s squad scoring an incredible 40 shots for Locky.
Stanhope beat Rich River 14-65 to 2-46, Moama got the better of Ky Valley View 16-67 to 0-47 and Tongala dominated Mathoura/Echuca 16-79 to 0-38.
Division five
In division five, Stanhope edged out Elmore 12-40 to 2-38, and Moama had a similarly close win over Rochester, 12-41 to 2-39.
Echuca scored strongly against Lockington, 14-48 to 0-28, and Deni RSL downed Deniliquin 12-41 to 2-38.