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.
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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.
Cadet sports journalist