Warm conditions greeted bowlers in the Campaspe Playing Area weekend pennant competition.
The mercury climbed to 37 degrees with the humidity hitting 60 per cent.
The only thing hotter than the weather was the form of division one ladder-leader Rich River.
Thoughts of a David and Goliath type result for bottom side Deniliquin soon evaporated as the home side flexed its muscles.
Rich River produced a clean sweep of all three rinks to record a 16-81 to 0-26 victory.
Skip Jason McCloy’s rink was in outstanding form, crushing Deniliquin rival Jamie Shields 33-5.
Stan Barker was equally frugal in a 27-7 win against Peter Chadderton.
Peter Nesbitt rounded out the 100 per cent record on the day, defeating Paul Snare 21-14.
The dominant victory puts Rich River 25 points clear of nearest rival Tongala, which would have been thankful for the bye.
Mathoura is third after taking the show on the road against Rochester.
The trip to Victoria certainly suited Mathoura, which headed back across the border with the lion’s share of points after a 14-86 to 2-53 win.
Mick Humphries and his rink of David Hicks, Lindsay Franklin and Adam Cowley defeated Brian Trengove 39-14.
Peter Holzer charged to a 29-15 victory over Richard Feuk.
Rochester’s lone rink success came courtesy of John Weeks, a 24-18 winner over Mark Quor.
Echuca put some breathing space between it and Moama, downing the Steamers 15-66 to 1-48 at Moama Bowling Club.
Ian Page proved the day’s most resounding winner with a 22-11 success over Kelvin Wiffen.
James Ferrier edged out Merv Harvey 25-18, while the honours were split on the other rink.
Robert Young helped get a point for Moama with a 19-all draw against Steve Cunnington.
Moama climbed to top spot on the division two ladder after defeating Rich River.
Rich River went into the weekend as the top side, but a 14-71 to 2-40 win by the Steamers propelled Moama to first place.
Trevor Eastwell’s 33-8 win against Ron Bentley put Moama in the box seat and Alan Jones sealed the points with a 21-14 defeat of Darryl Wood.
Tim Noar collected two points for Rich River after a thrilling 18-17 defeat of Dennis O’Bryan.
Just four points separates the top three sides after Echuca escaped with a narrow win against cellar-dweller Deniliquin RSL.
RSL belied its 1-4 record to give Echuca a genuine fright, winning two of the three rinks.
Wayne Bradley defeated John Brown 22-18 and Ian McKenzie edged out Wally Fehring 19-17.
But Echuca claimed the chunk of the points thanks to Michelle Cunnington and her rink of Ian Whiting, Di Payne and Colin Berryman.
Cunnington’s 26-19 defeat of Tony Tonta sealed a 12-61 to 4-60 win, and ensured plenty of conversation as Echuca headed home down the Cobb Hwy.
Bottom side Deniliquin defeated Mathoura 13-62 to 3-56 and Tongala accounted for Rochester 14-56 to 2-52.
Elmore and Moama played out a draw in division three, with scores level at 58-all after the final end.
The Steamers left with nine points after winning two of the three rinks, enough to keep Moama’s unbeaten record intact and top spot in their possession.
Other winners were Rochester, Lockington and Echuca.
Rich River and Deniliquin RSL played out a 7-37 apiece draw in division four.
Echuca, Lockington and Mathoura were the round’s other winners.
Division five featured wins to Moama by one shot against Kyabram, as well as Deniliquin RSL, Echuca, Deniliquin and Lockington.