YARRAWONGA-Mulwala GCR stayed in the Ovens and Murray Bowls Association premiership race with a thrilling 95-92 elimination final victory over Wangaratta at Corowa Civic on Saturday.
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In a dramatic finish, Yarrawonga-Mulwala GCR took a two-shot advantage into the final end of the day, only to see it disappear with Wangaratta holding three shots before the last bowl.
Yarrawonga-Mulwala GCR skip Rod Jones then drew a shot to earn his team a crack at Benalla in this weekend’s preliminary final.
Jones was outstanding in his rink’s 28-18 win over Ian Brimblecombe, Les Spencer edged out Greg McDonald 22-18 and Michael Szabo defeated Matt Muller 28-22.
Wangaratta’s Maurie Braden controlled play superbly to win 34-17 over Gary Sanders.
Yarrawonga-Mulwala GCR’s Ray Irvine said it was a see-sawing tussle from start to finish.
“It was a good tight game all day,” Irvine said.
“I think Wangaratta got out to 15 shots up, so we did well to come back.
“We were pretty much behind all day before coming back in the last few ends.”
It was Yarrawonga-Mulwala GCR’s first win over Wangaratta this season.
Meanwhile, a herculean effort from John Dawson’s rink propelled Wodonga to a 93-88 win over Benalla in the qualifying final.
Dawson’s 30-12 success over Tim Cromie was the Bulldogs’ only win of the day, but it was enough to give them a shot at a seventh successive A1 premiership.
He was well supported by Ray Moon, Bob Harbridge and Peter McLarty.
Benalla won the remaining three rinks, with Mark Jacobsen defeating Josh Rudd 29-23, Robert Mitchell accounting for Ashley Bates 22-17, and Tony Williams edging out Jason King 25-23.
Bates said Dawson’s rink was outstanding.
“They jumped out of the blocks and didn’t look back,” Bates said.
Meanwhile, Albury and District matches were washed out.