In a confusing twist of form, after crushing the then league leader Moama seven days previous, Stanhope was defeated by the division’s bottom side Rochester at the weekend.
All three rinks went down to the wire in the 14-61 to 2-59 result, as Tim Quinlan (17-15) and Richard Feuk (23-21) came out on top for Rochester.
Stanhope’s Timothy Hancock claimed the remaining rink, also by two shots (23-21), but Rochester ran away with the points in a massive blow to Stanhope’s stability in fourth place.
Kyabram kept pace with the leader Echuca after a comfortable 14-70 to 2-48 win at Mathoura Bowling Club.
Both Ky rink wins were comprehensive, as Greg Shilling dominated Peter Holzer 27-14 and Robert George easily accounted for Arthur Murphy 29-11.
Mick Humphreys pulled back some points for Mathoura, 23-14 over Paul McInnes, but the Timbercutters were well beaten.
Having claimed the lead the previous weekend, Echuca almost surrendered it immediately, surviving a spirited effort from Rich River 14-66 to 2-62.
Two big rink wins were scored, Echuca’s James Ferrier leading a 27-16 success, while Rich River’s Tim Noar got his side home 25-17.
The remaining rink finished much tighter, but the points and result swung Echuca’s way as Steve Cunnington claimed victory 22-21 over Gary Radford.
Meanwhile, despite the soaring temperatures, Moama appears to still have not warmed up after the Christmas break, falling to a second straight defeat, this time at the hands of Tongala.
A single rink proved the difference as Matthew Liverton’s squad rolled through the Jock Linehan-led quartet 27-11, setting up Tongala’s 12-63 to 4-50 win.
The Steamers got up in the other two rinks, but neither Geoffrey Beattie (22-20) nor Robert Young (17-16) could establish a clear advantage to claw back the big deficit.
With three rounds to go things are heating up in the fight for finals.
Deniliquin’s bye and Stanhope’s defeat drew fifth-placed Deni within a single point of the top four, while Tongala’s upset win kept it in contention as a dark horse for finals.
The top two of Echuca and Kyabram will highlight Saturday's matches, the winner in the box seat to claim the minor premiership at season’s end.
Lower divisions
In division two, Stanhope defeated Tongala 14-67 to 2-45, while Rich River swept Deniliquin 16-69 to 0-58.
Moama had a big win over Kyabram 16-61 to 0-48 and Echuca had the bye.
In division three, Deniliquin won over Lockington 14-85 to 2-53, while Moama obliterated Tongala 16-99 to 0-18 and Elmore defeated Kyabram 14-63 to 2-56.
Echuca shared the points with Rich River 7-61 to 9-61 and Rochester dominated Stanhope 16-74 to 0-32.
In division four, Lockington won all three rinks over Ky Valley View, 16-82 to 0-51, Echuca got by Rich River 14-62 to 2-59 and Kyabram won big against Mathoura 14-72 to 2-39.
Deniliquin RSL showed quality over Rochester 16-70 to 0-48, while Tongala forfeited its contest with Moama.
In division five, Deniliquin White got the best of Echuca Blue, 14-43 to 0-28, while Moama scored both rinks over Lockington 14-60 to 0-23.
Echuca White was too strong for Rich River 14-45 to 0-26, Deniliquin Blue scored well against Kyabram, 14-45 to 0-23 and Stanhope defeated Rochester 12-41 to 2-29.
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