With Moama, Echuca, Kyabram and Stanhope already secure in their finals status going in to Tuesday’s games, round 14 was about tuning up for the coming challenges, or one last hurrah for those sides whose season came to an end.
Already resigned to the base of the table, Rochester went out with a little bit of joy, downing Mathoura 14-57 to 2-55.
All three rinks could have swung either way, with three the biggest margin of victory across the contest.
Don Gillies scored a 21-18 win for Rochester, while Anton Gusak was also successful 20-18.
Mathoura earned rink points through Raymond Sangster 19-16, but it wasn’t enough for the Timbercutters to run down Rochy.
One of the most notable clashes was between Kyabram and Stanhope, who are set to face off again in an elimination semi-final next week, and it was the higher-placed Ky that came away with a significant momentum boost 15-64 to 1-52.
Joe Greco’s rink was the most successful for the Bombers, his team of Chris Williams, Graham King and Jack Portia getting up 26-19.
Noel Reddrop also led a successful Kyabram rink, winning 19-14 over Gregory Fitzpatrick.
Stanhope’s Jennifer Crilly and Kyabram’s Mary Greco had a back and forth encounter, and in the end, neither could establish the advantage, the face off finishing 19-all.
Stanhope now has a bit of work to do over the intervening seven days, as a similar result would end its season at the semi-final stage.
Moama will enter the finals as favourite with only one loss to its name and an impressive score differential and its dominance was on full display in the final round as it swept past Deniliquin 16-84 to 0-49.
Two rinks had double-digit margins, Matt Robertson prevailing 29-11 over Tony Tonta and Cameron Keenan scoring a 27-16 victory over Stephen O’Brien.
Cassanda Millerick rounded out the performance, taking down Paul Clear 28-22.
The remaining member of the finals quartet, Echuca, also scored big in the last week, winning 16-64 to 0-48 over Rich River.
James Ferrier’s rink was Echuca’s most impressive, his side scoring the win 27-17, while Kerryn Evans picked up points 17-13.
The remaining rink was a tight run affair, Ian Page just edging out Elizabeth Easther 20-19 to complete the Echuca sweep.
In the first round of finals, Moama and Echuca will battle in a grand final qualifier, while Kyabram and Stanhope have no second chances as they face off in an elimination final.
Division one
Moama 12-1-1 192 (+314)
Echuca 11-1-2 174 (+235)
Kyabram 8-1-5 132 (+50)
Stanhope 7-1-6 113 (+30)
Deniliquin 4-1-9 79 (-162)
Rich River 4-1-9 75 (-172)
Mathoura 3-1-10 70 (-73)
Rochester 3-1-10 61 (-222)
Division Two
Deniliquin RSL got the best of Rochester 14-60 to 2-53, while Echuca downed Kyabram 14-67 to 2-42.
Moama won two of three rinks in a 57-all draw, scoring 9-57 to Rich River’s 7-57.
The Steamers will take on Kyabram in the qualifying final, while Deniliquin RSL and Echuca will battle in the elimination final.
Division Three
Denilquin defeated Elmore 14-42 to 0-28, Kyabram bested Tongala 14-40 to 0-35 and Moama beat Rich River 14-43 to 0-23.
Echuca won over Ky Valley View 12-43 to 2-29 and Lockington earned the points over Rochester 14-52 to 0-24.
Deniliquin and Moama will fight for a grand final place, while Echuca will take on Tongala in a sudden death semi.
Division Four
Lockington prevailed over Tongala 14-54 to 0-30 and Moama Green edged Moama Black 12-38 to 2-35.
Echuca came out ahead against Rich River 12-45 to 2-30 and Stanhope outplayed Kyabram 14-45 to 0-30.
Lockington and Stanhope are the top two and are locked in for a qualifying final, while the Moama derby will repeat in the elimination final.
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