MURRAY Downs came home with the win and kept their finals hopes alive after a close encounter with Kerang Golf in the Northern Valley bowls league on Saturday.
The match ended with Murray Downs winning two out of the three rinks and having the most shots overall, to win by 10 points
Kerang Golf only managed two points from their one-rink win.
Murray Downs will have their work cut out for them next week as they take on ladder leaders Cohuna Golf, and while they will have the home turf advantage, Cohuna will be strong favourites for the win.
Across the Murray River, Racecourse went on the road to face third placed side Barham.
It was a difficult match for Racecourse, losing on all three rinks and only managing 58 shots all up, while Barham picked up a staggering 91 shots.
Racecourse could still have a chance to make finals if they defeat Kerang Golf next week and while the win is possible, the top four sides above present a tough hill to climb.
In the other match of the Northern Valley Division 1 Pennant, Cohuna Golf faced up against second placed side Kerang in a top-of-the-table clash.
Cohuna Golf won two of the three rinks with the third rink a draw between the two sides.
Kerang had 51 shots while winners Cohuna Golf had 78 shots, which ended the match with Cohuna Golf winning eleven of the twelve points available.
Cohuna Golf are pretty much guaranteed to play finals and will be considered as a strong favourite to win the inaugural Northern Valley Division 1 Pennant.
Kerang will play at home next week against second placed side Barham, while Cohuna Golf will be on the road to face Murray Downs.
