While Moama is still the clear leader, Echuca laid claim to second spot in the Campaspe Playing Area with a comprehensive midweek pennant win in round six.
Echuca hosted Rochester on Tuesday and executed a confident 16-87 to 0-40 sweep of all three rinks.
The rinks led by Kerryn Evans secured the largest margin, 30-12, but all three rinks resulted in big wins for Echuca.
Ian Page skipped his side over Kaye Barker’s quartet 24-11, while James Ferrier earned a 33-17 scoreline in his rink.
The result gives Echuca some breathing room in second spot, while Rochester remains at the foot of the ladder.
League leader Moama continued its roll in a home fixture against Kyabram.
Ky didn’t roll over easily and Joe Greco’s rink resulted in a big win for the visitor, 24-12.
However, the Steamers had the advantage in the other rinks, with Jock Linehan leading a 22-8 win over Mary Greco and Matt Robertson skipping a 19-12 victory over Bob Mason.
The final score saw Moama on top, 14-53 to 2-44.
Stanhope surged within two points of the top four with a 15-53 to 1-47 win over Rich River.
The Stanhope skips scored consistently across the greens in a tight contest in all three rinks.
Geoffrey Mulcahy earned an 18-14 win, his four shots the biggest gap between the sides as Peter Myers earned Stanhope’s second victory 17-15.
Stanhope’s Jennifer Crilly and Rich River’s Elizabeth Easther couldn’t be separated in the remaining rink, both squads putting up 18 shots as Stanhope claimed the win, 15-53 to 1-47.
In an important mid-table clash, Deniliquin got the best of Mathoura 13-58 to 3-53.
The fixture also included a drawn rink, as Tony Tonta and Dennis McHarry finished locked at 14-all.
Each side claimed one of the remaining rinks, but it was Deni that had the superior margin.
Paul Clear skipped a 27-15 victory, beating out Peter Pangrazio’s effort, as the Mathoura skip earned his side points with a 24-17 win.
Moama is still the clear leader and Echuca has now opened up a gap in second.
Deniliquin, Kyabram and Stanhope are all clustered around the remaining finals places.
Lower divisions
In division two, Deniliquin RSL prevailed against Rich River 13-64 to 3-53, while Kyabram won all three rinks over Rochester, 16-67 to 0-50.
Moama’s Trevor Eastwell proved the Steamers’ hero, skipping a 26-11 win, big enough to get the points, 12-67 to 4-60, despite his side losing the other two rinks to Echuca.
In division three, Tongala got the best of Ky Valley View, 12-45 to 2-33, Elmore defeated Rochester 14-56 to 0-28, while Echuca and Moama finished tied 7-39.
Deniliquin dominated Kyabram 14-57 to 0-22 and Lockington scored the win over Rich River 14-47 to 0-32.
In a closely-fought division four, Tongala took down Echuca 12-43 to 2-34 and Kyabram beat out Moama Black 12-40 to 2-33.
Moama Green defeated Lockington 12-40 to 2-32, while Stanhope was the only side in the division to win both rinks, 14-64 to 0-18 over Rich River.