After practising on a slow, heavy green in recent weeks, the ladder leader took time to find its feet and looked in grave danger of a surprise loss.

Vic Moore was leading by more than 10 shots against Norm Honey, Darren Moore had a handy break on Duane Crow and Laurie Dempsey got away from Graeme Kilner after the scores were 5-all.

But the SS and A players started to play more consistently in trying conditions with a gusty wind making it difficult for all players.

Crow slowed edged ahead of Moore and Kilner kept his rink in the game against Dempsey.

Kilner was in outstanding form and on one end was four shots down with the opposition having those shots within 30cm on the jack.

But Kilner played the difficult wide hand, picked by the jack clean, and took it back about 2m for two shots.

It was a crucial six-shot turnaround, but he produced a far better effort on the 17th end.

He was trailing 14-9 and was holding two shots when his third, Bernie Mahlo, suggested playing his forehand to touch the kitty and spring it sideways.

Kilner played the perfect bowl on a long end, touched the jack and jawed it against his own bowls, moving it to get six shots.

Two ends later Kilner’s rink picked up five shots and that enabled them to win 21-16.

They won just nine of the 21 ends, but got 11 shots on two ends which proved crucial.

Honey played superbly in the latter stages and, with lead Kevin Wellington in form, raced clear to defeat Vic Moore 30-20 and Crow accounted for Darren Moore 19-12.

North Albury accounted for Commercial 66-42 and Holbrook edged out neighbours Henty 63-60.

SS & A (2) had the bye.