Sport
15 November, 2024
Top two clearing out in both divisions
It appears there is now a significant break in both Saturday pennant competitions following round six’s play.
DIVISION ONE
Last season’s grand finalists are starting to run away at the top of the ladder, with two big wins in round six.
Dunolly Blue marched into Talbot Gold and took away an 83-49 win to move 20 points clear in second place.
It was Tony Galofaro’s 41-7 win which helped Dunolly dominate affairs, while Alan Weir’s 25-20 win over Matt Vernon also helped the cause.
Chris Crossley took two premiership points for Talbot thanks to a 22-17 win over Peter Waters.
Despite the win, Dunolly Blue actually lost ground, with Highland Tartan taking a 75-31 win over Maryborough Golf Blue, and sweeping all three rinks in the process.
All three rinks were quite consistent, with Greg Shay winning 26-11 over Anthony Chambers, Michael Fryar winning 24-9 over Gerry Carmody and Garry Coburn winning 25-11 over Graeme Orr.
Golf now hold on to a top three spot by just one point over Talbot Gold, while they sit just three points ahead of Highland White, who have moved into contention thanks to a comfortable 64-48 win over Avoca Red.
Highland White’s cause was helped by sweeping all three rinks, with Bert Spencer’s 26-18 win over Ian Proctor setting the tone, while Robert Bursill did enough to win 18-15 over Noel Parratt. Roy Crawley finished off the job with a 20-15 win over Daniel Giddings.
DIVISION TWO
Newstead Blue and Maryborough Golf continue to dominate the season, and have now established a 28-point lead over the chasing pack.
Newstead Blue set a marker for the rest of the field to chase with a dominant 81-36 win over previously third-placed Maldon.
Bill Burnett set the tone with a 30-9 win over Geoff Cobden, and Newstead Blue went on with the job, with David Cobden taking a 21-15 win over Annette Gillham, and Brian Daly winning 30-12 over Wesley Honeyman.
Maryborough Golf continue to go stride for stride, however, it wasn’t without a good challenge from Bridgewater, before Golf eventually prevailed 87-47.
Kort Gay defeated Ian Clutton 32-18, while Harold Patullo defeated Christopher Brooshooft 31-17. Ross Andrews finished things off with a 24-12 win over Margaret Wright.
Elsewhere, Dunolly Gold took a thrilling 61-59 win over Carisbrook, despite losing two of the rinks — results which saw Carisbrook move into third position as a result.
Ron Baker’s 22-11 win over Ian McKenzie gave Carisbrook a good result, as did Malcolm Milne’s 23-22 win over Alan Parkes, but it was Fabio Delconte’s 28-14 win over Ross Gregory which allowed Dunolly Gold to close in on the top four, sitting just 10 points behind on 52 points in what was a crucial win.
It was Talbot who were the key movers of the weekend, vaulting up to fourth courtesy of a 57-53 win over Highland.
The Yabbies took two of the rinks on offer, with Barb Crossley taking a 24-14 win over Adrian Masterman-Smith, while Ray Prentice took a 23-15 win over Tilleke Wadeson. On the middle rink, Frank Mifsud made a game of it with a 24-10 win over Steven Murray, but it was Talbot’s day.
Avoca also kept their finals hopes alive, but they were made to work for it all the way by Newstead White before taking a 57-55 win.
All three rinks were decided by six shots or fewer, with Loralee Field taking a 22-18 win over Graeme Lipback, while Geoff Loosmore took a 22-18 success over Rod Jackson. Peter Tangey took two points for Newstead White with a 19-13 win over Gordon Marr.
Dunolly Green had the bye, taking the 16 premiership points.
ROUND SEVEN
The opportunity for teams to clear out is there as round seven gets underway.
Highland Tartan have started to motor, and will look to continue their good form when they host Talbot Gold, who will need to win to maintain their spot in the top four.
Should Talbot Gold bounce back, however, Dunolly Blue will be in the frame to snatch back top spot on the ladder, but will have to travel to Avoca Red to do so.
In a crunch game between third and fifth, Highland White and Maryborough Golf Blue meet, with the winner to take a spot in the top four.
In division two, Newstead Blue will look to maintain top spot when they travel to Dunolly Green, fresh off the bye.
A big clash between second and third sees Maryborough Golf hosting Carisbrook, while another big clash sees fourth-placed Talbot taking on sixth-placed Dunolly Gold.
Maldon will look to bounce straight back into the top four when they travel to Avoca, while Highland takes on Newstead White.
Bridgewater will have the bye, taking 16 premiership points.