Gallery | Goulburn Valley enjoys an exciting penultimate round of lower bowls

Round 13 of the Goulburn Valley Playing Area season saw East Shepparton host Merrigum in an intriguing Division Four encounter.

East Shepparton went into the match looking to secure its spot as the best-of-the-rest given the local side can’t make finals this season.

Meanwhile, Merrigum was simply looking to earn its third victory and get closer to its competitors as it sat on the bottom of the ladder.

The hosts claimed the first rink in a tight 17-15 victory, with East Shepparton skipper Murray Reid leading the way.

Another enthralling rink followed as the two sides could not be split with the result finishing in a 16-16 draw.

East Shepparton found its groove in the third rink as the hosts blasted any hopes of an upset victory to Merrigum out of the realms of possibility.

Skipper David Nixon led East Shepparton to the dominant third rink win 27-11.

The hosts continued the second-half assault as East Shepparton won the final rink 26-13.

East Shepparton won the match 17-86 to 1-55.

In other Division Four results, Tallygaroopna continued its unlikely chase of a finals birth with a 16-89 to 2-62 victory over Tatura-Hill Top.

Shepparton Park defeated Dookie in a scintillating top-four battle away from home 4-76 to 14-81.

Ladder-leader Alexandra monstered Mooroopna 18-96 to 0-50, while Seymour defeated Euroa 16-90 to 2-69.

The final round of the home-and-away Division Four bowls season will be held next weekend with the three-week finals series quickly following.