With three rounds of the midweek pennant under their belts, Campaspe Playing Area sides are starting to learn where they sit among a competitive league field.
Moama has made its mark as the early leader and is now the only side yet to taste defeat after Kyabram went down for the first time.
In a clash between two of the promising early contenders, Ky battled Mathoura at Kyabram Bowling Club.
A huge rink win for Troy Mansbridge was a big part of Mathoura’s eventual triumph, his squad of Gayle Kerr (lead), Gaye Goodwin (second) and Raymond Murphy (third) dominating opponent Maria Greco’s squad 35-15.
Peter Holzer skipped another win for the visitor, 24-16, while Joe Greco scored Kyabram’s lone success, 24-12.
Mathoura claimed the match overall 14-71 to 2-55.
The contest between Moama and Stanhope was a close-run affair, but the Steamers were able to edge out the opposition 14-63 to 2-59 at Stanhope Bowls Club.
The Cameron Keenan-led rink was Moama’s best, his side scoring a 27-10 win, while Matt Robertson edged out Jono Thorne 16-15 to earn a second for the Steamers.
Peter Myers pulled one back for Stanhope 24-20, but it wasn’t enough for his side to take the overall points.
At Rich River Bowls Club, the home side kept Rochester at arm’s length to score a 15-61 to 1-48 win.
The match was closer than the scoreline indicated, with only Bev Trengove able to skip her squad to a significant win, 22-10.
Rich River’s other win saw Barry Brown come out on top by one shot, while the battle between the host’s Brian Trengove and Rochy’s Brian Kinnane ended deadlocked 21-all.
The final match of the round saw defending champion Echuca finally get on the board in the new campaign, toppling Deniliquin 14-74 to 2-56 in Deni.
Ian Page masterminded the best win for Echuca, 31-15, while James Ferries also skipped a successful rink, 23-17.
Paul Clear came out on top 24-20 in the remaining rink to ensure Deniliquin didn’t walk away empty-handed.
Moama’s 3-0 record gives it top spot so far, with Mathoura, Kyabram and Rich River all in the hunt at 2-1.
Winless Deniliquin holds up the rest, while Echuca, Stanhope and Rochester are 1-2 through three rounds.
Next week’s matches see Kyabram visit Echuca, Rich River host Deniliquin, Moama travel to Rochester, and Mathoura welcome Stanhope.