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Sport

29 February, 2024

Dunolly Blue in midweek final

Dunolly Blue’s dreams of back-to-back premierships remain intact thanks to a 68-59 win over a dogged Talbot outfit on Tuesday. The reigning champs held the advantage for much of the day, but were still made to work hard for the win by Talbot, who...

By Michael Thompson

James Smith helped Dunolly Blue through to the grand final after a strong win on his rink.
James Smith helped Dunolly Blue through to the grand final after a strong win on his rink.

Dunolly Blue’s dreams of back-to-back premierships remain intact thanks to a 68-59 win over a dogged Talbot outfit on Tuesday.

The reigning champs held the advantage for much of the day, but were still made to work hard for the win by Talbot, who remained in striking distance for much of the afternoon.

In the end, however, Dunolly Blue were able to take two of the rinks on offer, while a draw was the result on the middle rink, with Alan Weir and Robert Jackson deadlocked at 20 apiece.

Elsewhere, James Smith was able to defeat Peter McLaughlan 25-19, while Tony Galofaro was too good for Barb Crossley, winning 23-20.

It means that those great foes, Highland Tartan and Dunolly Blue, will do battle again in the grand final next Tuesday at Avoca.

It is the third meeting in just over a month for the two teams, with Highland Tartan proving too good for Dunolly Blue at the same venue a fortnight ago with a 64-52 win, while also taking a 70-61 win, with all three rinks to go along with it, in round 16.

The earlier meeting, in round seven, was a thriller, with Highland Tartan taking a 55-54 win.

If the stats are anything to go by, this is sure to be a game that goes down to the wire.

Both teams boast very similar offensive statistics, with both teams separated by just one shot throughout the balance of the home and away season — Highland Tartan scored 1068 shots, while Dunolly Blue scored 1069.

Defensively, Dunolly Blue boast the better figures, having conceded just 610 shots throughout the season, while Highland Tartan conceded 647.

On the player ladder, Highland Tartan boast five of the top six spots for the season, with Harvey Pearce and Greg Shay leading the way, while Norma Brumby, Andrew Brumby and Valma Pearce sit fourth, fifth and sixth.

For Dunolly Blue, they have a number of players in the frame to strike, with Galofaro, Sandra Chaplin, Margaret Davies, Alice Raven and Weir all placed ninth to 13th on the player ladder, suggesting that a very tight game is on the horizon.

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