Tongala holds a slight lead in the weekend pennant, with Moama and Stanhope close behind.
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Aidan Briggs
Bowlers across the region are looking ahead to January 14 and 18, when midweek and weekend pennant action will resume with their final rounds after the Christmas break.
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As we await the resumption of action, let's take a look at the season we’ve seen so far, and who might be in contention for the respective division one championships.
Weekend pennant
The weekend pennant looks to be a three-horse race at this stage, Tongala, Moama and Stanhope distinguishing themselves as the elite sides of the competition.
The battle for the number one seed couldn’t be closer through the 10 rounds played, Tongala leading on percentage over Moama, both on 106 points, while Stanhope sits just behind on 105.
Tonny also has the slight edge on results throughout the year, the only side with seven wins, coming with a draw and two losses, while Moama is at 6-2-2 and Stanhope 6-1-3.
The fight for fourth and the last finals spot right now seems to be between Deniliquin (82 points) and Echuca (74), with unlikely 2023-24 champion Mathoura the next best on 66.
Given the dominance of the top three, it may come down to their performances against each other to determine a champion for 2024-25.
Tongala went down to Stanhope in a round one meeting this year, while the second contest between the two was washed out.
Tonny does hold the edge over Moama, taking the only meeting by 10 shots, while the Steamers got the best of Stanhope in their round seven contest, reinforcing the closeness of the three sides.
Given the rock, paper, scissors nature of the contests so far, it may come down to who plays who in the individual finals match-ups, making the top seed even more valuable over the final four rounds.
Weekend ladder
1. Tongala 7-1-2: 106 points (+73)
2. Moama 6-2-2: 106 (+68)
3. Stanhope 6-1-3: 105
4. Deniliquin 4-2-4: 82
5. Echuca 4-1-5: 74
6. Mathoura 3-2-5: 66
7. Rochester 3-2-5: 64
8. Rich River 1-1-8: 37
Midweek pennant
Echuca will look to continue its unbeaten season in the midweek pennant when action resumes on January 14.
In the midweek pennant, Echuca looks like it will be difficult to shift at the top of the ladder, holding an 11 point advantage at the top of the ladder.
Most impressive is the undefeated side's score differential this season, its +147 almost double second placed Mathoura’s (+74).
Echuca was rarely pushed in the early rounds, but did enter the break on a slight dip in form, picking up its closest win of the season against struggler Rich River in its most recent contest.
On 96 points, compared to Echuca’s 107, Mathoura is the only side currently pushing for top spot and will feel secure within the top two at this stage.
Moama (74) is likely to make the finals, while Stanhope (56) will be hoping to hold off Rochester (42) over the remaining rounds to take fourth.
Midweek ladder
1. Echuca 7-1-0: 107 points
2. Mathoura 6-1-1: 96
3. Moama 4-1-3: 74
4. Stanhope 3-1-3: 56
5. Rochester 2-1-5: 42
6. Deniliquin 1-1-5: 30
7. Rich River 1-0-7: 27
Midweek pennant resumes on Tuesday, January 14, while weekend pennant action is back on Saturday, January 18.
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