Some big changes occurred on the Gippsland Bowls Region Superleague ladder with unbeaten outfits Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance 2 suffering defeat for the first time last weekend.
Lakes Entrance 1 now sits on top of the ladder, courtesy of its 70-61 victory over Lakes Entrance 2 in the twilight of last Friday night in front of a healthy crowd who were respectful of the high quality of play they witnessed.
It was a similar story to last week’s victory over Stratford for Lakes 1, with Eric Spence, Margaret Brandhoj, Jim Northe, Joanne Martin (24-16) and Julie Simpson, Daniel Roberts, Scott Davidson and Daffy Rawlings (26-22) all having good games, this time prevailing over their club mates.
Michael Bratt, Johannes Kool, Maurie Carroll and Harley Johnson got a rink back for Lake Entrance 2, beating Mike McKay, Barry Roberts, Kevin Dowie and Kevin Brown, 23-20.
Lakes Entrance 2 now slumps to fifth on the table after the loss.
Lindenow moved up to second, surviving the trip to Sale where it wore down Sale 1, 62-50, in a match that was closer than the scores indicated.
Dick Johnstone, Allan Dawson, Phillip Manning and Neil Plunkett led the way winning convincingly 26-14, while Don Banks, Brian Vincent, Lloyd Hammond and Anthony Edwards were good late in their 20-18 win.
Raymond Kennedy, Alan Reid, Wally Hudson and Dennis Young scored a 18-16 victory, making the day not a total waste of time for Sale 1, who now languishes in 10th spot.
Metung continues to improve, moving up to third after an impressive 68-45 win over Howitt Park, which is still searching for its first victory in this campaign.
Winners for Metung were Chris Wain, Mal Macpherson, Ray Crossley, Ronald McDonald (21-15) and Brett Shields, Kevin Watson, David Roberts, Wayne Jones (30-9).
Frank Lugg, Martin Van Elst, Robbie Rowe junior and Nick De Felice impressed in their 21-17 win for the Parkers.
Bairnsdale dropped to fourth, coming back from Stratford with just one rink victory, going down in a cracking match 51-50.
Stratford, which is looming as a general improver, made the pace early holding on for an outstanding win, now up to a season high sixth on the rankings.
It was led brilliantly by Colin Russell, Leonie Flynn, Peter Ribolli and Phillip Crowder, who won 20-16, continuing their unbeaten season, getting great support from Jan Morton, Matt Telling, Kirstie White and Jason White, who were 17-16 winners late in the afternoon.
Adam Easton, Geoff Woodward, Trevor Melotte and Brad Montant were 18-14 winners for a disappointing Bairnsdale, who will now go back to the drawing board.
That combination is also unbeaten in this season.
Maffra broke through for its second victory of the season, much too good for cellar dweller Sale 2, 70-31.
John Marshall, Geoff Landy, Brett Hodgins and Ronnie Orchard were ruthless saluting 31-5, while Glenn Crawford, Lewis Marston, Lyal Roberts and Lester Merlo were just as dominant, victors 27-10.
David Scott, Denis Madeley, Peter Leslie and Pamela Carter did a good job to pick up a rink for Sale 2, 16-12.
While Lakes Entrance 1 has surged to the top of the ladder, two of their premiership stars did battle last Saturday at Orbost, with the home side prevailing 57-44 over West Sale.
Former Lakes skippers Brad Lancaster and Brendan Addison went head-to-head with Addison combining with Matt Moulton, Russell Lambourn and Mitchell Bennett for 21-15 victory in an entertaining match.
But the Green Machine took the other two rinks and recorded its first win for the season.
Geoff Lynn, Maurice Frank, Ron Hatcher and Geoff Robinson starred, winners 26-10, well backed up by Margaret Coulton, Scott Farnell, Karen Chenney and Geoff Aitken who were victorious 16-13.
Paynesville was back among the winners, proving too good for Heyfield, controlling the match all day in a 64-49 victory.
Peter Fiske, Darren Aurisch, Darren Martin and George Lambos maintained their unbeaten run with a 20-15 victory, while Glynis Bugeja, Rhonda Sadovsky, Michael Better and Jack Sharman were much too good, easily victorious 29-13.
Bill Gilligan, Rod Sherrin, Shane Kelly and Bryan Reid were 21-15 winners for Heyfield on the final rink.
