Ladder leader Lakes Entrance was successful at home over a gallant seventh-ranked Maffra, 72-67, despite only winning the one rink in Gippsland Bowls Region Premier League round 10 action last Saturday.
The pivotal factor was the performance of Daniel Roberts, Daffy Rawlings, Wayne Jones and Brendan Addison, sensational 35-13 victors.
Maffra’s Julie Orchard, Geoff Landy, Brett Hodgins and Ron Orchard were winners 27-22, despite giving up a costly four shots on the final end.
Teammates Grant Smith, Glenn Crawford, Lyal and Michael Roberts were also easy 27-15 winners, though they too conceded vital shots (two) on the final end, which affected the final result.
There was disappointment in division one with both Lakes Entrance teams going down in away fixtures.
Lakes Entrance 2 continues to occupy top spot, despite going down 57-62 to Orbost in the local derby.
Lakes 2 won two of three rinks, but not enough shots to win the match, much to the delight of the Green Machine.
Mike McKay, Kevin Dowie, Ray Ricca and Harley Johnson continued their good recent form by winning 23-14, well supported by another in-form combo, Michael Bratt, Jeffrey Wilson, Johannes Kool and Barry Roberts, who were successful 23-18.
After the win, Orbost now separates the two Lakes Entrance teams on the ladder, Lakes 3 now in third, going down to Bairnsdale 3, 55-59, another two rink winner but overall loser.
Winners for Lakes 3 were Ian Morris, Adrian Culph, Tom Rowe, Sharon Hall (21-16) and Charles Lesiw, Frank Ryan, Stanley Short and Mark Campbell (20-12).
In division two, top of the table Lakes Entrance 4 was victorious for the seventh time for the season, but found seventh-ranked Bairnsdale Golf a greater challenge than expected.
Lakes Entrance 4 escaped with a 37-35 victory at home, with the rinks shared.
Joseph Hales, Roy Roberts, William Gilbert and Kenneth Melville were the winning combination 21-13.
Lakes Entrance 5 suffered its second consecutive defeat and dropped a rung on the ladder to fourth.
They were easily accounted for at Lindenow by the Cockies, 55-39.
In division three, sixth-placed Lakes Entrance made it consecutive wins, beating four-ranked Bairnsdale Golf at home 54-36.
Max Towan, Wim Pennings, Gary Lewis and Faye Cannizzaro had a day out winning 37-14.
The next round of matches is on January 17.
