Centrals A scored in two rinks and drew the third on the way to a 81-51 victory over Centrals B at Central Wendouree yesterday. 

The derby triumph has seen Centrals A stretch out its lead at the top of division one to 33 points but means Centrals B now has to win its remaining games and have one of Avenue or Smeaton lose both in order to play finals.

“It was played in good spirit but it is always going to be a difficult one when you have two teams in the one division,” Centrals A lead Elizabeth Kierce said.

“It’s never easy because, when you need to play against your friends from your own club, you know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. 

“You have to treat them as any other side and, in competitive sport, you can’t look at where the other team is on the ladder.

“There are another two weeks to go, and they’re a good team. We play Smeaton in the last game so that could make a difference.”

Kierce was part of Jill Kenyon’s team that had a 23-all draw against Carleen Bowers. Elsewhere, Heather Hopkinson’s four had the better of Val Page’s 34-8, while Kay Geddes’s team had a 24-21 victory over Heather Snibson.

Smeaton boosted its finals chances with a 76-66 away win against Victoria. Helen Mizzeni’s team won 37-17 against Glenis Ward and Elizabeth Cosgrove’s four won 25-22 against Brenda Hughes and co. Ros Capuano earned two points for the Vics, defeating Esma Slater 27-14.

Avenue likewise picked up 14 points with a two rinks, 82-62 win against Creswick. Avenue’s winning skippers were Glenys Kay (32-14 against Beth Huntley) and Marie Russell (26-23 against Judith Caddy). Jean Rhook scored two points for Creswick with a 25-24 shots triumph against Dot Cook’s team.

A comfortable 77-51 victory over Mt Xavier at Fortune Street has Daylesford second on the division one premiership table. Jo Best (32-9 against Joy Adams) and Dot Bull (31-14 against Bev Squire) guided their teams to victory, while Carmel Mitchell’s team scored for Mt Xavier with a 28-14 victory over Lois Voterakis.

In the closest match of the round, Webbcona had just one rink up but still scraped home 64-63 against Midlands. Jenny Shepherd’s team was Webbcona’s sole winner (23-19 against Jan Vincent’s four) but that was enough for the home team, with Midlands’ Sandra Grano (20-19 against Ann Gull) and Marie Phelan (24-22 against Jacki Hammond) unable to bridge the gap. 

DIVISION ONE LADDER: CENTRAL WENDOUREE (A) 201 points, +294 shots; DAYLESFORD 168, +155; AVENUE 143, +47; SMEATON 143, -47; Midlands 119, -57; Central Wendouree (B) 116, -65; Webbcona 110, -69; Mt Xavier 104, -91; Creswick; 90, -67; Victoria 86, -100.

Results, page 24