Gallery | Rich River snatches vital win while Moama suffers first blemish of weekend pennant season

A more tense battle played out between skips Tim Noar (Rich River) and Gregory Fitzpatrick (Stanhope), with the former prevailing 19-16.

The win, Rich River’s second for the season, lifts it into sixth, and it will look to climb higher with a win over Mathoura this Saturday, while Stanhope, which slipped to seventh, will face Rochester.

Reigning premier Tongala found form with a dominant 16-56 to 0-40 win over Mathoura.

Barry Tinning set the tone for the Bulls, leading his side to a 19-12 win over Jason McCloy’s Mathoura charges, while fellow Tongala skip Matthew Liverton’s rink won by the same margin over Mick Humphreys.

Bradley Tinning, the leading skip in the competition so far this season, closed out a tense encounter against Mathoura’s Peter Holzer to win 16-14 and claim maximum points for Tongala.

The defending champion sits fifth following the win and is a chance to climb into the top four if it defeats Deniliquin on Saturday, while Mathoura remains second and will play Rich River away from home in round six.

Moama’s unbeaten start to the Campaspe Playing Area division one weekend pennant season has come to an end, suffering a 2-57 to 14-66 loss to Deniliquin at the weekend.

Playing at Deniliquin, the home side tasted success in the rink led by Mark Quor, who skipped his quartet to a 25-15 shot win over the Michael Linemen-skipped Steamers.

The biggest difference for Deniliquin was made in the rink consisting of Jamie Shields (skip), Carly Crothers (lead), John Flisher (second) and Stephen O’Brien (third), who claimed a big 29-11 win, which played a pivotal role in the win.

Moama did manage a win in skip Rodney Werner’s rink, beating the home side 31-12 to salvage some points.

Despite the loss, the Steamers still enjoy a 14-point lead on top of the table and will face Echuca on Saturday, while Deniliquin sits third and will play against reigning premier Tongala in round six.

Rochester recorded a win, accounting for Echuca 14-56 to 2-48 at Rochester Bowls Club.

John Weeks skipped the home side to a 22-16 win in his rink, as did Brian Trengove, who recorded a 23-13 shot win, which went a long way to securing the overall outcome.

James Ferrier nabbed points for Echuca with a 19-11 win, skipping a side consisting of John Dinsdale (lead), Stephen McCartney (second) and Phillip Thorn (third).

Rochester moved inside the top four following the win and will look to carry that momentum into the clash against Stanhope on Saturday, while bottom-placed Echuca will face ladder leader Moama.

Division two

Moama continued its good form to defeat Echuca 12-62 to 4-53, while Mathoura enjoyed success over Tongala, winning 14-59 to 2-54.

Deniliquin claimed bragging rights over Deni RSL with a 14-62 to 2-53 victory, while Rochester accounted for Rich River away from home, triumphing 13-65 to 3-59.

Division three

Moama remains unbeaten following a staggering 16-111 to 0-30 win over Mathoura, while Elmore also enjoyed a big win with a 15-72 to 1-50 victory against Deniliquin.

Lockington defeated Stanhope 14-59 to 2-55 in a tense affair, while Rochester proved too strong for Echuca, claiming the win 14-73 to 2-48.

Rich River was too strong at home for Deni RSL, winning 14-73 to 2-59.

Division four

Echuca enjoyed a mammoth 16-92 to 0-35 win over Tongala, while Stanhope claimed a dominant 14-71 to 2-49 win over Lockington.

Deniliquin RSL was too good for Rich River, winning 12-67 to 4-56, while Moama claimed maximum points after Ky Valley View forfeited.

Division five

Moama Green dominated Echuca to earn a 14-49 to 0-29 victory, while Moama Black enjoyed a similarly crushing win over Lockington, triumphing 14-49 to 0-18.

Elmore secured a tight 12-38 to 2-37 win over Echuca White, while Tongala walked away with the points after Rochester forfeited.