Cowell South bounced back into finals contention with a 108/18 to 77/2 win against Saturday pennant competition leaders Cowell North, in Eastern Eyre bowls.
South’s Kay Michalanney won 25-20 skippering against Richie Baker and Angie Turner won 29-24 opposed to Rob Roberts.
Fred Enright’s 38-11 score against John Braun handed all the momentum South’s way.
Robert Udy was the only North skipper to record a win – 22-16 – playing against Rod Haywood.
Cleve Gold played Kimba Black at home, with the stakes high for both teams.
The hosts finished strongly and picked up valuable points to win 94/18 to 84/2.
Cleve Gold’s Brian Dolling defeated Peter McGilvray 24-18 and Dene Noble finished 27-16 ahead of Phil Klingberg.
Robert Thompson’s 27-12 win against Tom Harris helped seal the deal.
Kimba Black’s only rink win came from Deb Larwood, who won well 38-16 against Warren Elson.
Arno Bay broke through to record its first win of the season, winning 112/18 to 83/2 opposed to the visiting Lock side.
Arno Bay’s Les Edwards won 26-14 against Kingsley Holman and Jeremy Calliss won 30-15 versus Noel Kay.
In a high scoring game, Olly Edwards’ team defeated David Beard’s 33-30.
Lock’s Ian Burrows just scraped home, winning 24-23 against Gary Calliss.
Lock’s season still has potential, with three more home games to come.
Kimba Gold played at home to Port Neill, in a match shortened by the hot conditions.
As the minimum required ends was reached, Port Neill won 69/19 to 53/1.
Port Neill’s Geoff “Spog” Pearce won 15-11 opposed to Rodney Lambell and Mark Ward won 15-10 against John Grund.
Bevan Pfitzner was leading Lyn Kemp 23-16 when play was halted.
Gold’s Kay Hannan drew 16-16 with Lyall Bates.
Cleve Green had the bye.
Just half a game separates the top six teams with a few games remaining before the finals.
Cowell North, Cleve Green and Cowell South can claim an advantage as these teams have already had their allocated bye and have four games left for points.
Cleve Gold, Port Neill and Kimba Black each have three games left.
Saturday pennant ladder: Cowell North 151 points, Cleve Gold 150, Port Neill 149, Cleve Green 147, Cowell South 142, Kimba Black 140, Lock 99, Kimba Gold 84 and Arno Bay 58.
Thursday ladies’ pennant
Second-placed Kimba played at home to Cowell and won a close game 91/17 to 88/3 in Thursday ladies’ pennant.
Kimba’s Myrene McGilvray drew 25-25 with Gloria Kent and Kay Hannan got across the line 23-21 playing Kay Michalanney.
Deb Larwood’s rink’s big 30-17 win against Angie Turner proved pivotal in deciding the contest.
Cowell’s Margaret Baker won 25-13 opposed to Helen Harris and it was nearly enough to secure an away win.
Pennant leaders Wudinna played host to Port Neill and finished well ahead – 130/18 to 56/2.
Bev Oswald defeated Lynne Snodgrass 28-13 and Kerry Winter won 39-10 opposed to Erin Calliss.
The team of Wendy Walladge, Leon Fisher, Heather Michael and skipper Marie Mullan combined to tally 50-7 against Ros Scrase’s team.
It was Mullan’s second rink score of 50 for the season.
Port Neill’s Judy Siviour did well to notch a rink win, 26-13 opposed to Sue Fisher.
Cleve had the bye.
Thursday ladies’ pennant ladder: Wudinna 156 points, Kimba 128, Cleve 83, Cowell 67 and Port Neill 46.
No Wednesday men’s pennant was played this week due to the men’s Country Carnival being played in Adelaide.