The Deniliquin RSL Bowling Club played round 12 of the Campaspe Valley Bowls Association weekend pennant action on Saturday.
They came away with a thrilling draw away for Division 4 against Rich River.
Meanwhile, Division 5 were too strong at home against Ky Valley View and Division 2 at home went down in a close game against Echuca.
Division 2:
RSL 60 went down by a single shot to Echuca 61, with RSL winning on two rinks.
Skip Tony Tonta and his team of Jacob Glenn, Cheryl Bradley, (John Wilson sub) and Archie Webster staged a remarkable comeback to almost grab an unlikely victory overall for RSL.
Down 5-20 after illness forced the loss of a player, they dominated the latter stages of the game to claw back into the contest, substantially reducing the overall team scores.
Echuca 26 def RSL 19.
Wayne Bradley (s), Miro Peterman, Lindsay Dalzell and Alan Hodges went shot-for-shots with their opponents.
Leading 13-12 after 13 ends, the scores were locked at 18 all on the penultimate end.
Four shots on the last end saw RSL home in a thriller.
RSL 22 def Echuca 18.
The combination of Craig Taylor (s), Ian McKenzie, Ian Chessells and Jenny Tonta also had a close encounter with their opposition.
RSL led 19-14 after eighteen ends and Echuca took singles on the remaining three ends but could not bridge the gap.
RSL 19 def Mathoura 17.
Division 4:
RSL played Rich River at Rich River, resulting in a 37-all draw.
Bruce Clancy (s), Peter Liefting, Sandra Hill and Peter Thommers led early in their game but Rich River had drawn level after eleven ends at 12-all.
They were a little more composed for the remainder of the game to run out four shot winners.
Rich River 22 def RSL 18.
Jim Jenning’s team of Graeme Gordon, Brian Clancy and Ron Hulme were trailing 15-11 after 17 ends but rallied strongly to claim eight shots over the last four ends for a great victory and tie the game score overall.
RSL 19 def Rich River 15.
Division 5:
RSL hosted Ky Valley View and claimed wins on both rinks, ensuring a comfortable victory for RSL.
RSL 50 def Ky Valley View 31.
Ron Marchetti’s team of Neville Austin, Peter Todd and Callan Glenn were never threatened in their match.
Winning 14 ends, they cruised to an emphatic 16 shot victory - 30-14.
Bruce Ferry (s), Robyn Ferry, James Rhook and Vic Whittaker’s match went right down to the wire.
No more than three shots separated the team all day, with RSL taking three shots over the last three ends to ensure success.
RSL 20 def Ky Valley View 17.
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In midweek pennant on Friday, Mathoura 65 def RSL 52.
RSL did manage a win on one rink.
Tony Tonta (s), Ian McKenzie, Cheryl Bradley and Glenys Chessells went down by five shots.
They fought back to claim eight shots over the latter part of the match but were unable to bridge the gap.
Mathoura 21 def RSL 16.
John Wilson (s), Craig Taylor, Miro Peterman and Lyn Hardcastle were the only victors for the day with a five shot victory.
Down 17-9 after fourteen ends, they flew home, taking the remaining seven ends and 13 shots for a great win.
RSL 22 def Mathoura 17.
Wayne Bradley (s), Jenny Tonta, Ian Chessells and Joanne King had a tough battle in their match.
They were always off the pace and were comprehensively outplayed.
Mathoura 27 def RSL 14.
•••
The Deniliquin RSL Bowling Club hosted the Skins Tournament Sunday, with 22 teams participating.
Winners with 12.5 wins form 15 games were Steve O’Brien (Deni BC) and Steve Arthur (Barham BC).
Runners-up were Steve Page and Ian Cunnington (Echuca) with 11 wins.
Another Deniliquin Bowling Club combination of Simon Chisholm and Conway Bovell took out third place with 10 wins.
More photos and a full scoresheet from the tournament is available on the Deni RSL Bowling Club Facebook page.