By John Glistak

Ideal bowling conditions were encountered in last weekend’s bowls matches with a number of results being particularly close.

In Division One, the feature match saw Owen snatch a two shot victory over Balaklava despite having only one rink up.

This wins keeps Owen in second place while Balaklava remains in fourth spot.

Competition leaders Hamley Bridge easily accounted for Port Wakefield while Mallala had a sound win over Wasleys in the remaining matches.

Riverton had the bye for the round.

Two key matches are likely in this Saturday’s Division One round.

Firstly, Mallala is host to Riverton. This is a must win match for Mallala if the side wishes to contest the finals in a month’s time.

Previous results have been split but Riverton has won their last five matches compared to Mallala’s one over the same period of time.

This form favours a win for Riverton and will virtually guarantee Riverton a final’s berth.

Port Wakefield faces a difficult assignment against the Owen combination that has only lost two matches for the season, so far.

A Port Wakefield loss will see this side fall out of contention for the finals given that they will have only two matches left to play (with also a bye to come) after this weekend.

The final match will see Hamley Bridge travel to Wasleys for a match where the visitors should record their third win for the season against their opponents.

Balaklava has the bye this weekend.

Division One: January 30 – Hamley Bridge 92(12) (B. Smith 36, M. Durdin 31, A O’Brien 25) def. Port Wakefield 57(0) (R. Murphy 18, R. McQuire 18, G. McPharlin 21); Mallala 78(12) (K. Roberts 27, J. Evans 26, P. Furst 25) def. Wasleys 61(0) (D. Olive 23, J. Kieboom 22, R. Bowman 16); Owen 74(8) (B. Parker 20, G. Harkness 27, N. Harkness 27) def. Balaklava 72(4) (B. Taylor 22, T. Clifford 28, P. Thompson 22)

Division One Standings – Hamley Bridge 118(201); Owen 98(106); Riverton 82(99); Balaklava 80(83); Mallala 62(-130); Port Wakefield 53(-134); Wasleys 37(-225)

Division One: February 6 – Mallala vs Riverton, Port Wakefield vs Owen, Wasleys vs Hamley Bridge, Balaklava Bye.

Leading sides win in Two Red

Both Port Wakefield Blue and Riverton White recorded wins in last Saturday’s round to edge away from the remaining sides in Two Red.

Port Wakefield Blue had a close match against Owen winning by twenty shots with two rinks up.

On the other hand, Riverton White recorded an all rinks up win against fellow contender Hamley White. This win has moved Riverton White back to the top of the competition.

Tarlee advanced up the table following their nine shot win over Hamley Red despite having only one rink up.

The final match saw Balaklava White turn the tables on sister side Balaklava Red for an all important win.

Only 10 points separate third to seventh positions in the standings such is the closeness of the competition from week to week.

This weekend’s Two Red matches will be closely watched as several important matches will have a bearing on these standings.

Riverton White travels to Owen; first against third. In their previous match, Riverton won with two rinks up and scores level.

Another tight match is expected where a win for Owen will see them move closer to the double chance whereas a loss may see Owen slide back into the battle for finals’ spots.

Top sides clash in Two White

Mallala Black had a vital win against their sister side Mallala White to retain the lead in this competition.

Elsewhere, Balaklava Blue moved into second spot following their winagainst Port Wakefield Gold while Riverton White moved to fourth aftertheir win against Wasleys.

This weekend, the top two sides Mallala Black and Balaklava Blue, meetfor a match where Mallala Black will be keen to reverse their previousloss against their opponents.

Third and fourth sides Mallala White and Riverton Black also meet.Riverton took the honours in their previous encounter and will be keento repeat the performance.

The final match sees Port Wakefield Gold against Wasleys with the homeside eager to record a further win against their opponents.

Division Two White: January30 – Mallala Black 92(10) (M. King 38, L.Helps 20, G. Donlon 34) def. Mallala White 68(2) (B. Hill 20, G.Forrest 26, R. Barber 22); Balaklava Blue 81(10) (R. McPharlin 33, R.Barr 34, K. Harkness 14) def. Port Wakefield Gold 59(2) (A. Carslake17, T. Sharman 15, T. Jones 27); Riverton Black 101(8) (R. Schulz 53,B. Prime 25, P. Gates 23) def. Wasleys 57(4) (J. Williamson 6, S.Wendland 26, J. McDonnell 25)

Division Two White Standings – Mallala Black 94(120); Balaklava Blue86(15); Mallala White 80(-71); Riverton Black 65(-94); Port WakefieldGold 62(-68); Wasleys 56(-245)

Division Two White:  February 6 – Port Wakefield Gold vs Wasleys,Riverton Black vs Mallala White, Mallala Black vs Balaklava Blue.

Tough match for Hamley White against Tarlee

Having suffered a loss against Tarlee only three weeks ago, a further loss will see Hamley White’s chances of final’s participation slowly ebb away.

Hamley Red had a narrow four shot win against Balaklava White the last time they met. Another close match is expected as both sides strive to move up the standings.

The final match will see Balaklava Red play Port Wakefield Blue in a match that could go down to the wire based on their earlier encounter.

Division Two Red: January 30 – Port Wakefield Blue 80(10) (P. Fontaine 21, R. McGregor 40, A. Williams 19) def. Owen 60(2) (I. Freebairn 14, P. Sullivan 15, L. Beaty 31); Riverton White 85(12) (R. Hannaford 27, J. Glistak 32, P. Kelly 26) def. Hamley White 58(0) (R. Morris 23, A. Fyfe 16, L. Stott 19); Balaklava White 83(10) (M. Olsen 18, J. Olsen 25, C. Milton 40) def. Balaklava Red 65(2) (K. Cottle 21, C. Cowan 23, R. Hillman 21); Tarlee 76(8) (D. Meyers 16, D. Branson 16, F. Gorey 44) def. Hamley Red 65(4) (J. Tily 32, G. Schilling 22, J. Bell 11)

Division Two Red Standings – Riverton White 121(82.25); Port Wakefield Blue 119(158); Owen 104(28); Tarlee 100(16); Hamley Red 98(77); Balaklava White 98(54.75); Hamley White 94(25); Balaklava Red 82(-98)

Division Two Red: February 6 – Hamley Red vs Balaklava White, Balaklava Red vs Port Wakefield Blue, Owen vs Riverton White, Hamley White vs Tarlee.

PHOTOS BELOW, from left: • Tim Harkness, Owen sends one down.

• Owen’s Roger Uppill watches his bowl.

• Barry Taylor, Balaklava informs a team mate of his options in thedivision one match, while Owen’s Brian Parker refreshes with a cooldrink.

• Buzz Diehl, Owen sends his bowl down the green, with the result shown.