St Leonards crashes the Highton streak
ST Leonards flexed its muscles with a 39-shot sweep of top-ofthe-table Highton (2), inflicting its first loss of the season.
The St Leonards strategy was to pour on the pressure from the outset and the plan paid dividends.
Each rink worked to a plan and maintained a constant throughout the 100 ends.
Two winning rinks were close affairs with one and five shot wins but it was the numbers three and four rinks that starred.
The competition’s leading skip, Dean McNeil, led by example with the rink scoring a 14-shot win over the previously undefeated rink from Highton (2) skippered by Ron Imanse — 27-13.
Not to be outdone, Alf Vella notched his second win of the season in fine fashion, triumphing 34-15 over the John Jackson rink.
Highton (1) showed some redemption with a well-structured win over Ocean Grove by 22 shots.
After its less than impressive loss to Portarlington, Highton (1) was all out to lift its profile into the top four.
With solid and consistent bowls on a good running green at Highton, the home side worked well throughout the full 100 ends to stay in touch with the top teams.
Belmont was made to work hard for its points in a close affair against Portarlington.
The match was bowl for bowl throughout.
Portarlington worked well as its teams continually challenged in its attempt to record its second win but to no avail as Belmont seemed to lift under the pressure.
Drysdale impressed with its five-shot win over Torquay to remain only two points outside the four.
Torquay posted good rink wins skippered by Gary Banks and Alan Sampson — but Drysdale fought back with the John Fry rink taking a six-shot win and then the rink of Matt Hammelhoff, Brian Bennett, Ash Rees and Callen Inderberg capped the win for Drysdale with a 19-shot victory.
Geelong Cement recorded its second win, over 10thplaced Lara, by 12 shots in another tight encounter.
The Barry Fox-skippered rink from Cement paved the way with its 10-shot win over the Max Draper rink.