However, Mt Xavier went away with the lion’s share of the points, 15 to Avenue’s one in one of the bigger upsets of the season to date.

The sky blues took the points 66-59 against the second side on a 12-second green with all three rinks embroiled in close contests all day. Ultimately, Carmel Mitchell’s team triumphed 25-20 over Dot Cook’s, while Cath Ogg’s four defeated Doreen Connell’s 18-16.

Joy Adams’ team and that of Avenue opponent Marie Russell were locked together 23-23 at the end of play. 

“It was definitely an upset on current form,” Mitchell said. “It was very close right up to the end. With four ends to play we were all square across the board.

“I was lucky enough to pick up a three on the last end to give us a bit of a buffer.

“We were up and down all day. There was very little in it at the break.

“It was a good struggle and could have gone either way.”

“We won early in the season but we’ve struggled since, so it was good to finally turn one around.” Joy Adams said it was Mt Xavier’s best result for some time.

“I think everyone just clicked a bit better. We also had a couple of changes, which helped as well,” she said.

In other matches, bottom side Webbcona knocked over Central Wendouree B, with the teams of Jenny Shepherd (25-18) and Jacki Hammond (25-23) getting the points for the home side. Carleen Bowers won 25-23 for Centrals. Central Wendouree continued on its winning way with a 78-56 victory over Midlands, Creswick won 82-57 against Smeaton, and Daylesford closed in on the top two with a 70-56 home win over Victoria. 

DIVISION ONE LADDER: CENTRAL WENDOUREE A 135 points, plus 252 shots; AVENUE 104 points, +17; DAYLESFORD 102 points, +93; SMEATON 87 points, -62; Midlands 73 points, -17; Mt Xavier 62, -63; Central Wendouree B 61 points, -77; Creswick 60 points, -24; Victoria 60 points, -48; Webbcona 56, -71.

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