The weekend pennant division one possible finals contingent was on the verge of being whittled down to six outfits, but a stirring round nine victory for Stanhope has kept it well and truly in the running.
Now less than a clean-sweep win outside the top half of the table after a 14-103 to 4-71 win over Kyabram, Stanhope will take plenty of confidence into the back end of the season — especially following last summer's magical run to a preliminary final.
Brad Robinson (35-15) and Geoff Mulcahy (27-11) did the damage for the victors, with Rob George (23-22) and Greg Shilling (22-19) claiming what will be crucial points for the Bombers.
● Tallygaroopna has moved into second spot on the table after storming the fortress that was Shepparton Park's home carpet on Saturday.
The Redlegs won two rinks to take out a 14-84 to 4-71 triumph.
It was Mitch Sidebottom (27-10) and Brett Gunning (24-11) steering the ship for the visitors, while for the Parkers’ Paul Nichols (27-17) and Paul Warren (23-16) snared rink success.
● East Shepparton finished within striking distance of Shepparton Golf, but only managed two points for its efforts.
The Golfers were again too strong across the board in the 16-96 to 2-81 result as Brad Orr (31-17) continued to dominate on the green.
David Daws (24-19) and Kris Ferguson (25-21) also had rink wins for the Golfers as Geoff Beattie (24-16) snared two points for the Eagles.
● Tatura-Hill Top climbed up the ladder after a huge win over Euroa, despite dropping a rink in the clash.
The 56-shot triumph for the Bulldogs came on the back of rink wins to Garry Russell (40-11), Russell Locke (36-15) and David Cartwright (34-20).
Ken Sutcliffe (30-22) secured two points for the Magpies.
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