Fresh from its first loss of the season against Rutherglen, Wodonga showed why it’s still the competition favourite, winning all four rinks in a 111-83 victory.

Wodonga skip Ashley Bates said the earlier loss had inspired his team.

“It does spur you on,” he said. “We just have to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Despite playing away from home, Wodonga didn’t look like losing.

Chris Venning was an example of that, leading his rink to a commanding 30-5 advantage against Owen “OJ” McBreen before afternoon tea.

But then he didn’t get it all his own way with McBreen fighting back to win the last 10 ends to go down 30-23.

John Dawson defeated Ken Widdison 25-18 while Paul Carey scraped through against James Dunn 26-24.

Ashley Bates then stormed to victory against Scott Widdison by 12 shots, 30-18.

Bates said his team still had improvement in it ahead of the finals in three rounds’ time.

“I think most players are playing reasonably well but all of us can play better,” he said.

“We got away early against Corowa which made the difference.

“It’s always hard playing catch-up bowls.”

At Benalla, the home team played out a thrilling 91-91 draw with Wanga- ratta to split the points nine apiece.

Rutherglen continued on from where it left off against Wodonga a fortnight ago, getting the win against home team Myrtleford.

It had to fight hard for its 94-82 victory.

And Yarrawonga-Mulwala Golf Club Resort sent a warning to its rivals with a 25-shot drubbing of Yarrawonga in the local derby.

With Wodonga the clear favourite for the premiership and Rutherglen second, Yarrawonga-Mulwala GCR looms as the dark horse.