Sport
23 November, 2023
Ladder shake-up in Saturday pennant
Dunolly Blue have bolted to lead the Saturday pennant division one table by 21 points, while the division two outlook has seen a weekend of great change. DIVISION ONE A surprise first vs second matchup did not disappoint, with Dunolly Blue having to...
Dunolly Blue have bolted to lead the Saturday pennant division one table by 21 points, while the division two outlook has seen a weekend of great change.
DIVISION ONE
A surprise first vs second matchup did not disappoint, with Dunolly Blue having to work hard for their 62-48 victory over Avoca Red.
While the loss dropped Avoca Red down to fourth position on the ladder, they showed they can more than hold their own against the best teams in the competition.
Daniel Giddings gave Avoca Red two competition points courtesy of a 24-17 win on the first rink, but Dunolly Blue were too good on the other two rinks, with Gregory Dobbin defeating Noel Parratt 20-13, and Tony Galofaro defeating Chris Cocking 25-11.
That result allowed Talbot Gold to move into second, as they were able to defeat Dunolly Gold 82-43 and take all 16 competition points in the process.
A 43-7 win from Paul Radstock over Jim Haigh was the key difference between the two teams, who enjoyed a much more competitive affair on the other two rinks, with Peter McLaughlan beating Roy Pickering 16-14, and Peter Fletcher winning by the barest of margins against Frank Mifsud 23-22.
Highland Tartan moved into third, but they had to work to defeat their stablemates in Highland White, eventually recording a 67-53 win.
Leanne Wallis gave White two competition points courtesy of a 27-16 win over Greg Shay, but Tartan hit back, with Michael Fryar defeating Dennis Prosser 28-11 and Garry Coburn defeating Tony Lacey 23-15.
Maryborough Golf Blue roared back into finals contention with their 83-42 win over Newstead.
It was a big statement from Golf Blue, with Gerry Carmody defeating Brian Daly 28-13, while Anthony Chambers defeated Andrew Theckston 29-8. Harold Patullo finished off the job with a 26-21 win over David Cobden.
DIVISION TWO
Maldon’s surprise win over Carisbrook has shaken up the division two ladder, with the Dons dominant throughout in winning all three rinks èn route to a 79-54 win.
Peter Sedgwick defeated Gary Haigh 26-23, while Jim Brookshaw defeated Syd Pearson 26-20. Annette Gillham finished off the job with a 27-11 victory over Ron Baker.
That result opened up the door for Talbot Brown to take top spot on the ladder and they didn’t pass up the opportunity, defeating Dunolly Green 82-51.
Jason McFadyen’s 36-7 win was the gap that Talbot Brown craved, with the other two rinks proving to be competitive. Ray Prentice gave Talbot Brown two more competition points with a 25-22 win over Fabio Delconte, but were prevented from a clean sweep thanks to Aaron Britten’s 22-21 win over Barb Crossley.
Highland Red were also beneficiaries of Carisbrook’s loss, taking a 75-44 win over Avoca Gold to move into the top two.
Avoca Gold took first points on rink one thanks to Gordon Marr’s 20-18 win over Allan Pike, but it was all Highland Red elsewhere, as Albert Spencer won 22-14 over Allyson Hearnden and Tilleke Wadeson defeated Ann Loosmore 35-10.
Avoca Gold’s loss was Maryborough Golf Gold’s gain, with Golf moving into the top four without having to bowl, courtesy of Newstead White forfeiting their match-up.
ROUND SEVEN
The top four in division one will be meeting the bottom four, but there are still plenty of implications as the season reaches its halfway point tomorrow.
Central to it is the outlook of the top four, with Avoca Red hosting Maryborough Golf Blue. A win for Avoca Red will keep it in the top four, as well as in the hunt for the double-chance, while a win for Maryborough Golf Blue could see them move into fourth at their opponents’ expense.
Runaway ladder leaders Dunolly Blue will be favoured to defeat stablemates Dunolly Gold, who are still yet to win a game. Dunolly Gold already sit a full game behind Newstead Blue in last place.
Newstead Blue, for their part, will have a tricky encounter as they host Highland Tartan, who are now back on track after a couple of losses on the trot.
Talbot Gold currently lead the chasing pack, and will be looking to pounce on any mistake by Dunolly Blue when they host Highland White.
The standout game of division two sees ladder leader Talbot Brown travel to third-placed Carisbrook, as the two fight for their spot in the top two.
A win for Talbot Brown will see them almost two games clear inside the top two, while Carisbrook can leapfrog Talbot Brown with a convincing win.
Highland Red are red-hot favourites against Newstead White, and could find themselves the new ladder leaders if Talbot Brown slips up.
An intriguing encounter sees Maryborough Golf Gold hosting Maldon. While Golf Gold currently sit a game clear in fourth, Maldon’s big win over Carisbrook adds urgency to the chase for a finals spot, and could yet move into fourth if they take a big victory.
Avoca Gold could also benefit from a Maldon win when they host Dunolly Green, but with the two teams separated by just seven points on the ladder, Dunolly Green will be out to keep their finals chances alive.
Note: These games may not go ahead due to forecast rain on Saturday.
