A little windier than the forecast suggested, RSL got off the mark at a slow but steady pace on their impressive home turf.
Pete Thommers’ team of Jo Chick, Sandy Hill and Rod Reid made a magnificent comeback from being eight down on the 14th end, to taking nine shots over the next seven ends to finish on 16.
Chick, who was named best on rink by the opposition, put in some handy lead bowls which were followed up beautifully by Hill.
The wind was challenging on that rink, and Reid had his work cut out for him after Colin Ockwell from Mathoura would turn the tables.
Often 4-5 shots were being held until ex-Digger Gaye Goodwin, as skipper now for Mathoura, would draw the shot or, at least, second shot.
The Timbercutters claimed a two shot win after the 21 ends, having 18 shots on the card.
Niels Hilton’s team had a few changes during the week, and with Jake Glenn (who led superbly and was voted their best on rink), Ian McKenzie and Archie Webster he led a 10 shot win over a strong Timbercutters team skipped by Gayle Kerr.
Having five on the card before Kerr’s team scored, they were on track for a solid win.
Glenn, and the two emergencies in McKenzie and Webster, rose to the challenge.
Hilton showed he was still in form, only allowing Mathoura ones or twos, while they picked up the larger numbers.
The Diggers team stormed home with a 24-14 win.
Danny Stanmore led on the third rink for Chris Frampton and Craig Taylor, and was skipped by Ron Marchetti.
They had the slower start but never gave up.
Picking up a six on the 17th end got them back in the game at 14-18, but they could only manage three ones over the remaining four ends to Mathoura’s one, which took their final score to 17-19.
Craig Taylor was excellent in reducing numbers and ex-Digger Gary Hulm, who skipped the Timbercutters rink, showed how sorely missed he is from the 2024-25 RSL Diggers side.
Overall, RSL won 57 to Mathoura 51, and claimed 12 points.
With only two more games for this year, the Diggers needed this win.
It places them sixth on the ladder with 62 points - 20 points outside of the top four.
Congratulations to Craig Taylor, who received the Diggers’ overall ‘Best on Ground’ Award.
He was typically very humbled being awarded the honour by his opposing team and enjoyed his free ‘BOG’ beverages after the game.
Mathoura were very impressed with the welcoming atmosphere and scrumptious spread of sandwiches laid on by the social committee, and stayed on enjoying the camaraderie in the Diggers’ Clubrooms.
The Deni RSL Diggers Midweek Division 2 team is today travelling to Echuca, on the bus at 8am.
Team are: C Frampton, A Webster, P Thommers, R Reid (s); A Hodges, I McKenzie, R Marchetti, C Taylor (s); G Gordon, M Peterman, N Austin, N Hilton (s).
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