East Shepparton has kept the pressure on the Edna Harling Shield top four following its comfortable win over Rushworth on Tuesday.
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The Eagles cruised to a 14-76 to 2-56 triumph on their home deck in the Goulburn Valley Playing Area midweek pennant encounter.
Only a win behind fourth spot before the round 10 contest, East remains on the heels of the top four and sits 10 points adrift.
A dominant performance from the Eagles’ skip Graeme Barber and his rink was the difference between the outfits on Tuesday.
Barber’s rink recorded a stunning 30-9 blitz over Bruce Wootton.
The remaining two rink battles were split between the two outfits.
Stacey Collier (30-22) prevailed for East and Rushworth’s Laurie Nicholson (25-16) handed Wayne Gribble his first defeat of the midweek pennant season.
In the remaining division one matches, Seymour secured a nail-biting win over Kyabram.
The Lions escaped from Kyabram Bowls Club with a two-shot triumph and sit in fifth spot ahead of East Shepparton.
With two rinks each separated by 11 shots, the 28-26 salute from Seymour’s Max Hammond was enough to sneak his side over the line.
Shepparton Golf remains in top spot following its nervous 12-70 to 4-61 win over Shepparton Park, while Tatura-Hill Top is cemented in second after getting over the line by 40 shots against Mooroopna Golf.
In division two, ladder-leader Kyabram was made to work hard by Avenel.
The bottom-ranked outfit gave Kyabram a fright in their 14-74 to 2-66 encounter.
Noel Slater (24-19) was the standout for Avenel in the loss.
Euroa (16-72 to 0-55) got over the line against Seymour, Stanhope (14-77 to 2-59) was too good for Shepparton Golf and Tatura-Hill Top (14-74 to 2-69) saluted over Shepparton Park.
Meanwhile, Kyabram flexed its muscles against Nagambie in division three.
The Bombers, up against the third-placed Lakers, recorded a 15-shot win and locked in second spot on the table.
The 16-70 to 0-55 win will leave many asking the question whether the division three title is a two-horse race between the Bombers and ladder-leader East Shepparton (1).
The frontrunners walked away with a gritty 14-80 to 2-68 triumph over Mooroopna.
Lyn Thatcher clinched a 26-23 rink win for Mooroopna, while Kevin Cox (29-20) and Allan Hueston (28-22) got the job done for East.
Mooroopna Golf (16-72 to 0-57) was too good for Tatura-Hill Top and Shepparton Park (14-69 to 2-54) brushed aside East Shepparton (2).
Elsewhere, Murchison walked away with the upset of the season in division four.
Murchison handed the previously-undefeated Numurkah a shock 16-70 to 0-56 defeat.
It was jaw-dropping stuff from the surprise victors.
Margaret Tweddle got the ball rolling with a 24-15 win, followed by fellow skips Geraldine Railton (24-20) and Marlene Lockyer (22-21).
Numurkah still clings on to top spot despite the loss.
Merrigum got over the line against rival Kyabram by 10 shots in the remaining division four contest.
The Bulldogs saluted 16-70 to 0-60.
Lastly, Dookie knocked over Colbinabbin to claim top spot in division five, 12-48 to 2-43; Euroa dismantled Seymour (14-50 to 0-33); and Rushworth ran away to a 14-shot win over Violet Town.
Sports Editor