Sport
Goulburn Valley Playing Area Midweek Pennant wrap: Hill Top outlasts Seymour in division one thriller
Tatura-Hill Top began the new year in fine style, triumphing in a 14-62 to 2-57 thriller against Seymour in the Edna Harling Shield on Tuesday afternoon.
A match where all three rinks were decided by less than five shots, onlookers at Seymour Bowls Club were glued to the action from start to finish, with the Bulldogs’ ability to win the key moments pivotal to their success.
Justin Spedding’s squad in rink two was particularly impressive for Tatura, as it ground out a critical 20-16 lead that would end up swinging the game in the visitor’s favour.
Max Hammond would provide the home side its only triumph rink three, as his squad claimed a thrilling 25-24 win to ensure the match would go right down to the wire.
Rushworth ensured it stayed off the bottom of the ladder with a tight 12-72 to 4-65 win over fellow cellar-dweller Mooroopna Golf.
Although it lost two of the three rinks, Chris Garvey’s 36-18 win ensured Rushworth still came away with the points, as Golf simply could not make up the hefty margin.
Elsewhere, Shepparton Golf maintained its stranglehold on the Edna Harling Shield with a convincing 14-83 to 2-58 win over East Shepparton.
While Kyabram forced the upset of the round, easily accounting for second-placed Shepparton Park 14-80 to 2-58.
•In division two, Shepparton Park forced its way into the top three with a crucial 14-78 to 2-68 win over Kyabram.
Splitting the rinks two to one, a dominant 36-15 win by Jim Oliver in rink three would prove the catalyst for the triumph as Park sunk one of its closest rivals on the table.
A convincing 30-18 win for Peter O’Brien in rink two would ensure the Bombers didn’t leave Shepparton Park empty handed as they look ahead to a crucial clash with Tatura-Hill Top next week.
Avenel claimed its first win of the season, with a 14-71 to 2-59 upset victory over a mid-table Shepparton Golf.
A tight contest for the entirety of the day, a 28-17 win for Geoff Hateley in rink one would prove to be the difference between the two sides.
Euroa rounded out the winners’ list with a crushing 16-99 to 0-61 triumph over Stanhope.
•The division three East Shepparton derby quickly turned into a rout as one crushed two 16-86 to 0-38.
Sweeping the three rinks, East Shepparton 1 was dominant from beginning to end, with a devastating 33-13 win for Allan Hueston in rink one signifying the gap between the two sides.
Kyabram recorded its fifth win of the season, with a clinical showing against Shepparton Park.
The Bombers swept the rinks on their home green to run away 16-68 to 0-53 victors.
Nagambie also enjoyed a dominant start to 2022, easily accounting for Tatura-Hill Top 16-83 to 0-44.
While Mooroopna Golf rounded out the winners’ list with a 16-87 to 0-46 demolition of Mooroopna.
•Division four action was highlighted by a thrilling draw between East Shepparton and Numurkah.
With all rinks decided by less than five shots, when push came to shove the sides could not be split as the final score read 9-68 to 7-68.
Shepparton Park found its way onto the winners’ list with a brutal 16-99 to 0-48 dismantling of Kyabram, while Merrigum and Tatura-Hill Top forfeited their respective matches with Shepparton Golf and Murchison.
•Division five action had Colbinabbin and Euroa come away with victories, while Violet Town enjoyed the bye.