Rich River is the first team to qualify for the Campaspe Playing Area division one weekend pennant bowls grand final.
They did so on the back of a hard-fought 61-54 second semi-final win over Tongala at Rochester on Saturday.
Rich River enjoyed dominance on two of the three rinks in perfect conditions for bowls at Rochester.
Stan Barker and his rink of Trevor Nagorcka (third) Bruce O’Neale (second) and Ron Ritchie (lead) produced some quality bowls to defeat Jarryd Tinning 25-16.
Rich River’s other rink success came courtesy of Jason McCloy (skip), Keith Hewitt (third), Robert King (second) and Eugene Xodo (lead), who accounted for Brad Tinning 22-16.
The margin of those two rinks was enough to see Rich River home despite Tongala’s Stephen Hammond (and his rink of Matthew Liverton — third, Wayne Cowley — second and Peter Tinning — lead) defeating Peter Nesbitt 22-14.
Rich River will now enjoy a week off before preparing for the grand final at Mathoura on March 4.
Tongala has to dust itself off and prepare for a preliminary final showdown with Echuca.
Echuca won an absolute thriller against Mathoura 64-61 in the first semi-final, also played at Rochester.
The victory was built on the back of a superb performance from Steve Cunnington’s rink.
Skip Cunnington, third Ivan Hicks, second Jerome Shaw and lead Ashley French recorded a resounding 30-9 win against Peter Holzer.
Mathoura won the other two rinks, but the margins were enough to overcome the difference.
Skip Mick Humphries and his rink of David Hicks (third), Lindsay Franklin (second) and Adam Cowley (lead) defeated Ian Page 26-14.
Skip Mark Quor and his rink of Christine Taylor (third), Helen Holzer (second) and Pam Limbrick (lead) defeated James Ferrier 26-20.
It was a tough way for Mathoura to close out what had been an impressive season.
DIVISION TWO
Echuca is into the grand final after a dominant 65-43 second semi-final win over Moama at Mathoura.
Echuca produced a clean sweep of the three rinks.
John Brown defeated Dennis O’Bryan 25-16, Wally Fehring accounted for Trevor Eastwell 22-12 and Michelle Cunnington edged out Alan Jones 18-15.
The Steamers will play Rich River in the preliminary final.
Rich River defeated Tongala 63-44 in the first semi-final, also played at Mathoura.
Rich River’s winning rinks were Tim Noar, who defeated Peter O’Brien 27-14 and Gerry Devlin, a 17-12 victor over Stephen Tinning.
Tongala’s winning skip Phillip Cooper was an 18-17 winner against Barry Brown.
DIVISION THREE
Moama powered into the grand final after a 63-51 defeat of Lockington at Echuca.
The Steamers won all three rinks through Bryan Harper, Keryn Awty and Barry Cuttriss.
Lockington will look to rebound in a preliminary final against Rochester this Saturday after Rochester defeated Deniliquin 61-56.
Rochester’s winning skips were Kevin Hall, a 22-20 winner over Raymond Hay and Jenny Major, who defeated Mark Law 20-14.
Lee Pattinson scored Deniliquin’s lone success after edging out David Murray 22-19.
DIVISION FOUR
Moama is into the decider after an emphatic 55-25 win over Rich River at Mathoura with Darren Yates and Terry Thomson sizeable winners.
Rich River now goes to the preliminary final and will meet Deniliquin RSL.
Deniliquin RSL defeated Mathoura 46-34, with the rink of Jim Jennings doing much of the heavy-lifting, winning 30-16 against Gayle Kerr.
DIVISION FIVE
Deniliquin RSL is the first team through into the grand final after defeating Moama 54-33 at Rich River on Saturday.
The Steamers will now play Kyabram in the preliminary final.
Kyabram ended Echuca’s season with a 42-23 win.