Despite a draw in Rob Dennis’ rink, Rochester was well-beaten in weekend pennant action. Photo: File.
Rochester wasn’t able to keep pace with one of the Campaspe Playing Area’s leading sides in this week’s weekend pennant action.
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Visiting Stanhope Bowls Club, a drawn rink was the only way Rochy was able to score points in the fixture, Stanhope dominating in the other two rinks to win 15-87 to 1-43.
Les Walles and his squad, featuring Francis Keech (lead), Kevin Burrow (second) and Rob Dennis (third) managed to battle Stanhope skip Ben Fletcher’s quartet to an 18-all standstill, picking up Rochester’s single point for the tie.
Elsewhere, Timothy Hancock was in fine form, skipping a 31-8 Stanhope win, while teammate Gregory Fitzpatrick was also a big winner, getting up 38-17.
With only three rounds of play remaining, Rochy needs to make up a 17-point deficit to snatch fourth spot, with the three sides above it, Deniliquin, Mathoura and Echuca practically deadlocked in that position.
Next week, Rochy hosts another of the league’s top three, Moama.
In division two, Rochester also went down to Stanhope, 14-73 to 2-56, on overall shots, but was able to secure rink honours in the Anton Gusak-led rink.
In division three, Lockington was all over Rochester, winning 16-88 to 0-47, while Elmore got the points against Deni RSL 14-57 to 2-46.
Division four saw Lockington benefit from a forfeit by Mathoura-Echuca.
In division five, Rochy got the best of Stanhope, 12-42 to 2-37, Elmore scraped by Echuca 12-39 to 2-38, and Lockington was defeated by Deni RSL, 14-54 to 0-25.
Midweek pennant
Peter Stahl and Rochester got a crucial win over Stanhope in midweek pennant.
The final match of the round was a mid-table clash between Rochester and Stanhope, Rochy getting a big boost to its finals hopes with victory over its fourth-placed rivals.
Rochy skips Brian Kinnane and Rob Dennis each scored five-shot wins, Kinnane getting up 24-19 and Dennis 19-14.
Jamie Stokes earned rink points for Stanhope in the final rink, but Rochy grabbed the valuable overall points, closing to within two competition points of fourth.
Rochester has the bye next week.
In division two, Rochester was unlucky not to pick up overall honours against Rich River, winning two of three rinks but falling 4-61 to 12-64.
Division three saw Echuca finishing too strong for Lockington 13-45 to 1-31, while Elmore dominated Tongala Red 14-51 to 0-31.
In division four, Lockington lost to Echuca12-36 to 2-31, and Rochester was defeated by Stanhope 0-24 to 14-59.
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