The visitors were pushed all the way, but secured the overall result, 103-85.

Greg McDonald's 36-8 demolition of Robin Gallagher was the major factor, while Adrian Pantling overcame Colin Coulston, 28-24.

Kiewa picked up two rinks with Rob Bartel a 27-15 victor against Maurie Braden, while Jude Bartel got past Peta Mattys, 26-24.

ALSO IN SPORT:

Wodonga remained second with an impressive 126-79 triumph against YMGCR.

Josh Rudd's 52-8 result against Ray Irvine was decisive, Kylie Whitehead had a 32-22 win against Anne Miles and Paul Davies pipped James Lefevre, 23-22.

YMGCR's only rink win was Garry Sanders' 27-19 result against Mason Bayliss.

Benalla has some breathing room in third after getting past Rutherglen, 97-76.

Kyle Pugh took down Billy Campbell, 30-17, and Chris Randell defeated Ross Rankin, 31-16.

Rutherglen got two rinks up with Chris Langdon a 23-18 winner against Sam Beaton and Ian Baskett sneaking past Chris Cooney, 20-18.

Corowa Civic produced a clean sweep against Yarrawonga, winning 111-69.

Thomas Webb got up 29-12 against Kevin Evans, Peter Thelan beat Robert Tait, 33-22, Adrian Hill saw off Ian Woods, 27-18, while Dawn Hayman was a 22-17 victor against Roger McKenzie.

The ladder after round eight is: Wangaratta 115, Wodonga 95, Benalla 87, Corowa Civic 77, YMGCR 57, Kiewa 54, Rutherglen 49, Yarrawonga 42.