Well, this week’s results sorted out the wood from the chaff in several grades, and with one round to go there are confirmed winners who can book their accommodation for the State finals in August.
They are Forster in the 2s, Harrington in the 3s and Blackhead in the 4s.
Grade 1: Tuncurry travelled up the highway to Port City and came away with a 9-1 win and at the halfway mark are travelling well in 2 nd place just I point behind Park Beach.
Grade 2: Winners were Forster, West and Tuncurry who all recorded 10-0 wins. Congratulations to Forster who cannot be caught and are the grade 2 winners.
Grade 3: In a battle between first and second place, Harrington went to Gloucester knowing that a win would mean that they could not be beaten. They came away with the lollies in a hard fought 60-57 (9-1) win, and are our grade 3 winners. Congratulations to Harrington.
Grade 4: In a closely fought grade, Blackhead, Tuncurry and Harrington were the only teams in with a chance. All the ducks lined up for Blackhead when they defeated Railway 9-1, Manning Point. rolled Tuncurry by a mere one shot, and last placed Forster knocked over Harrington. Going into the weekend who could have predicted that set of results. Congratulations to Blackhead on winning grade 4.
Grade 5: WOW, what a finish this is turning out to be. Lansdowne went to Sporties needing a win or it was all over, and they did it, coming away with a 9-1 win. The scores are tied. The only thing splitting them is for and against, with Sporties holding a miniscule 8 shot advantage. That could disappear in the blink of an eye. In the last round they face the two bottom teams with Sporties travelling to Wingham and Lansdowne at home to Railway. I’ll bet the phones will be running hot after these two games.
Grade 6/1: Palms defeated Forster 9-1, but Sporties (1) win over Leagues 9-1, means that they have clinched the section and will play Buladelah for the flag.
Grade 6/2: Already won by Buladelah.
Grade 7/1: Another extremely hard fought section. Leaders Forster (1) had the bye and so did not advance their points. Second placed Harrington defeated Lansdowne 10-0. Forster now lead Harrington by just 0.5 points. And guess what? They play each other in the last round. How good is this? You couldn’t wish for a better finish. All you Harrington people had better get to Forster and support your guys, because Forster will have plenty there.
Grade 7/2: Tuncurry had the bye and remain on the same points. Second placed West defeated Sporties 9-1 and move to within 4 points of Tuncurry. In the last round West play last placed Leagues and Tuncurry face Sporties. Any win for Tuncurry clinches them the section, a loss puts them on tenterhooks waiting on the result of the other game.
While some grades have been decided, what a final round of matches we have to look forward to.
The match of the round is undoubtedly Forster vs Harrington in the 7/2s, with results in the 5s and 7/2s being crucial to final standings.
There’ll be some nervous nellies this weekend.
Good luck to all clubs in this final round of matches.
