Rich River and Rochester finished level on 52 shots apiece, although Rochester took nine points from the clash by virtue of winning two of the three rinks.
Kaye Barker’s rink scored a decisive 23-17 success against Pam Hayes, while the closest contest was between Brian Trengove and Gary Radford.
Trengove emerged successful 18-14 in a match highlighted by some impressive play.
Rich River’s lone rink win was a dominant one as Toni Beck accounted for Richard Feuk 21-11.
Beck, third Colin Hayes, second Noelene King and lead Judy Vise all displayed top-class form in a welcome result for a Rich River team bidding to stay alive for finals action.
Rochester remains top of the ladder with 119 points, with Rich River in fifth place on 83 points.
Moama moved to second after defeating Mathoura 14-55 to 2-46 at Moama Bowling Club.
Olivia Cartwright’s rink set the tone for the Steamers, defeating Christine Taylor 22-11.
Young gun Cameron Keenan accounted for Peter Holzer 19-16, while Mathoura’s points came courtesy of Mark Quor.
Quor and his rink of Helen Holzer, Jennifer McClure and Garry Hulm emerged 19-14 winners against Wayne Stephenson, Marilyn Stephenson, Christine Ritchie and Colleen Maslen.
Moama is now level on 102 points with Mathoura, but leapfrogged its northern rival on percentage (108.63 to 107.65).
Echuca tightened its grip on fourth space after a convincing 16-69 to 0-39 success against bottom side Deniliquin.
The home side produced a clean sweep of all three rinks.
Roma Opie and her rink of Ivan Hicks, Michelle Cunnington and Di Payne were in terrific touch, defeating Conway Bovell 32-11.
Philip Thorn scored a 23-15 win against Linda Harris, while just one shot was the difference between Leica Roney (Echuca) and Joanne Bovell (Deniliquin).
Roney took the honours 14-13.
The result means Echuca is 10 points ahead of Rich River in their battle for fourth place.
Echuca continues to set the pace in division two.
Home surroundings certainly suited Echuca in a 16-91 to 0-43 success over Rich River.
All three rinks won in convincing fashion, with Kristy Gillingham a 36-13 winner against Pat Sehestedt, Wilma Curnow defeating Marie Arthurson 31-17 and Graeme Poulton too strong for Heather Freeman, 24-13.
Rochester also took maximum points in a 16-72 to 0-51 win against Ky Valley View, the first of the season for the Rochester 2 line-up.
Moama Steamers powered to a 14-86 to 2-35 win against Tongala, with Mathoura the round’s other winner, defeating Deniliquin RSL 14-65 to 2-52.
Division three saw wins to Tongala, Elmore, Moama and Echuca.
Ladder-leader Echuca defeated Rich River 14-55 to 0-28 with skips Bernadette Johns and Jillian Young recording nice victories.
Echuca holds sway at the top with 117 points from the Steamers (108), who won a tight battle against Deniliquin 12-38 to 2-31.
Elmore brought up the 100-point mark for the season by defeating Lockington 12-45 to 2-37.
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