The middle-range clubs defeated Buninyong and Mount Xavier to send the division one ladder into turmoil on the eve of the Christmas break.

Learmonth ended Buninyong’s supreme run of form with a 99-92 win at home, with skippers Leon Davey and David Pike leading the way.

Davey’s rink beat Graeme Simpson’s four 31-18, while Pike’s team defeated Brett Innes’ rink 27-17.

Buninyong skippers Keith Chapman and Neil Innes kept their side in the mix with respective 25-24 and 32-17 wins over Grant Bourke and Gordon Powell.

Meanwhile, Daylesford has found form after a month of mediocrity with a promising 93-91 win over Mount Xavier.

Although Mount Xavier won two rinks, the victory was set up by

Rod Callahan’s four, who triumphed over Aaron Emonson’s rink 29-17.

Daylesford’s Pat Torpey shared a point with Phil McGrath after a 26-26 draw, while Mount Xavier’s Daryl Lamb and Michael Storey registered strong wins over Kevin Gibson and Barry Watson.

In other results, ladder leader Ballarat escaped by the narrowest of margins over Creswick 87-86, City Oval held off a determined Smeaton 91-81, while Ballarat East returned to top form in a big way with a 108-81 victory over fellow top-four aspirant BMS.

After 12 rounds, Ballarat holds a clear advantage atop the ladder, while City Oval and East Ballarat are the likely contenders for the all-important second spot.

Buninyong has a huge fight on its hands to hold on to fourth, with BMS and Creswick pressing hard, despite each club putting forward several indifferent performances at various stages of the season.

Neither Learmonth nor Mount Xavier look like genuine finals contenders, although both are capable of causing even the strongest clubs some headaches.

Smeaton will need a huge final six rounds to pull itself out of relegation, with the club winless to date.

michael.pollock@fairfaxmedia.com.au