A MATT Robertson masterclass paved the way for Benalla to charge into the A1 grand final with a 101-73 win over Wodonga at Yarrawonga on Saturday.
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Robertson skipped his rink to a 36-11 win over Peter McLarty with teammates Kevin Morrison, Bill Armstrong and Tony Williams also in good form.
Chris Cooney edged out Ashley Bates 24-22 and Rob Mitchell accounted for Josh Rudd 21-17.
Bates was promoted to skip after Paul Davies fell ill on the morning of the match and was forced out of the side.
Wodonga, who only trailed by eight shots at afternoon tea, scored its only win when Kyle Whitehead upstaged Shawn McMahon 23-20.
“We were right in it at tea but dropped off,” Bates said.
“Full credit to Benalla.
“’Robbo’ (Robertson) finished off really well for his rink.
“At times we held two or three shots but he had his tail up.
“His rink played particularly well.”
Corowa Civic advanced to the preliminary final with a 104-78 win over YMGCR at Wodonga.
Skip Col Hendren was the only comfortable victor of the day, defeating Ray Irvine 36-17 to put some distance between the sides.
Bill Davison, Alex Martin and Len Reynoldson bowled well in Hendren’s rink.
The rink picked up a six on the first end after afternoon tea.
Dawn Hayman continued her good run by ousting Garry Sanders 25-17 and Tom Webb defeated Rod Jones 21-15.
YMGCR’s James Lefevre finished his season strongly by accounting for Max Scanlan 29-22.
“It was a good win,” Hendren said.
“It was tight at afternoon tea but we then started to open up a good break.”
Corowa Civic has beaten Wodonga in their two meetings this season.
It won by six shots in the opening round of the season and followed up with a 112-75 whitewash at Wodonga in round eight.
The venue for this weekend’s preliminary final is yet to be decided.