Red Cliffs Tigers gave the Euston Bandits a mauling in division one on Saturday and have given themselves an outside chance of making the final four in the Bowls Sunraysia pennant competition.
Red Cliffs picked up 10 points 69 shots, to the Bandits two points and 43 shots.
Bill Allen had a big day out, 28 to 12 over Jamie Shields. Keith Sharman belted Wayne Gardiner 25 to eight with Ian Lowes having an outstanding game.
Sandy Tarrant got two points for Euston, 23 to 16 over Brendan Cockfield.
Those points are enough to maintain the Bandits’ hold on fourth spot but they have a few worries.
The Wayne Gardiner rink has been the weak link all season. They only managed seven ends and with the last bowl on the remaining 18 ends were unable to change the head to advantage.
The selectors have a few issues and will need to shore that rink up.
The Mildura Magic were handed a thrashing by Workers. Chief magician, Mark Eckel, fried Fred Bacon 36 to 14. Neville Hodgetts rink ticked along 27 to 14 over Neil McLean and Peter Harrison spooked Michael Legin 25 to 18.
Mildura reaped all the points 12 and 88 to Workers 46. The Magic have consolidated top spot on the ladder with no signs of complacency.
Workers have a chance to regroup this week with the bye.
Over at Wentworth, the Steamers put up a brave showing against the Irymple Suns but weren’t able to hold it together for the entire afternoon.
The Steamers ticked up 54 shots to the Suns 12 points and 91 shots. Sid Walters went down to Brendan O’Brien 21 to 30. Phil Newton lost to Ivan Behsmann 17 to 26 with Trevor Flack easing into another gear. Rod Taylor slipped behind Steve Carn 21 to 35. Terry Wright had a major influence on the game and has settled nicely at second.
Credit must go to the Steamers with players like Alistair Baird, Peter Harrison and Ian Wright giving it a good crack in Division 1. The Suns now have their finals berth locked away.
Ouyen should be called “the rainbows” as they are coming out after it’s all over.
They picked up 10 points and 86 shots against the Cannons two and 58 shots. It is good to see Harry Munro back for Ouyen. Nev Jay gave Brandon Tyers a rough toweling 35 to 11. Rob Jay got up 26 to 21 over Brian Tyers. Ian Gibson shot down Norm Latta by a single shot 26 to 25.
The ladder has Mildura on top with 146, Irymple 130, Workers 109, Euston 84, Red Cliffs 83, Ouyen 76, Merbein 73, Coomealla 60 and Wentworth on eight points.
In division 2, three of the top four sides got a shake up this week with only the Workers Golden Boys able to hold their heads up.
The Gold collected 10 points with 90 shots against the Merbein Hawks two points and 60 shots. Mike Gilpin has been solid for the Gold side.
Workers Green caused an upset in getting the points 10 and 69 shots to Nangiloc two points and 52 shots.
Red Cliffs handed out a bloody nose to finals contenders Mildura. The Tigers got eight points and 70 shots to Mildura’s fout points and 66 shots. Geoff Warman had a solid win for the Tigers.
Over at Euston the Bandits gave ladder leaders Irymple Suns a touch up 10 points and 82 shots to two points and 74 shots. Clint Shields and Gary Stole had big wins for the Bandits while John Harmer held up a rink for the Suns.
The top-three are locked in but their finishing order is far from settled. Irymple have the bye next week and could be in danger of giving up a top two position.
Irymple sit on top with 124, Workers Gold 120, Mildura 112, Nangiloc 99, Red Cliffs 80, Workers Green 76, Euston 69, Underbool 56 and Merbein on 32 points.
Euston recorded a strong victory over the Wentworth Steamers 10 points and 97 shots to 2 points and 51 shots in division 3.
Sue Jorgenson gave Bob Jolly a pasting with a 34-shot win.
At the Cauldron, the Irymple Plovers proved too strong for the Swallows bagging all the points 82 to 55. Brian Thomason had a top win over Bobby Rule. Col Pearse’s rink and John Doherty’s team continue to shine.
Workers gave themselves a show of finals action getting 10 points and 73 shots over Mildura two points and 65 shots. They need to keep winning and hope Ouyen tumble. However, Ouyen maintain their grip on fourth, winning 10 points and 78 shots to Coomealla Cannons 2 and 63 shots.
Ouyen are looking to consolidate fourth and give themselves the chance for back to back pennants.
The Division 3 ladder is topped by the Plovers on 143, Mildura 122, Irymple 118 points, Ouyen 105 points, Workers follow on 95 and then a gap to Coomealla 72, Euston 61 and Wentworth 52.
This article appeared in Tuesday's Sunraysia Daily 31/1/2012.
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