With positions three to six on the ladder wide open as the competition enters the final round next weekend, Dennington is in sixth position, three points behind fourth-placed Warrnambool Blue and five behind third-placed Port Fairy. 

Dennington moved into sixth on Saturday after a 21-shot win over Koroit, which slipped from fifth to seventh, ending its finals hopes. 

Terang’s 13-shot win over City Memorial Gold propelled it from sixth into fifth. 

In next week’s final round Dennington has, on paper, the easiest game of those vying for a top-four place, taking on eighth-placed City Memorial Gold while fifth-placed Terang faces competition leaders Warrnambool Gold. Warrnambool Blue, in fourth, takes on third-placed Port Fairy. 

If everything goes to plan, Dennington looks set to take its place in the finals. 

Skipper Maureen Drennan said Saturday’s 106-85 win over Koroit was “sort of unexpected”.

“Koroit needed to beat us to keep their chances alive,” she said. 

“Last time we played them, it was at Koroit and they beat us. So this time we completely turned it around. I think the home-ground advantage helped us.”

Drennan said two games were won by one shot, while her rink was won by 13 and Les Johnson’s by seven. 

“Having those two rinks win by one shot was the icing on the cake. 

We needed that to get the point to move up the ladder,” Drennan said. 

“We were in control for much of the day. Les had a big lead and sort of carried the rest of us for a bit, but it all levelled out. 

“It was a good win. It keeps us in the hunt for finals.” 

Johnson said Dennington now controlled it’s own fortunes. 

“Warrnambool Blue loosing yesterday has thrown it wide open again,” he said. 

“One and two on the ladder are set, but positions three to five are still up for grabs.

“We probably have one of the easier games on paper next week, but we still have to win if we want to progress.” Drennan said City Memorial Gold may be below Dennington on the ladder but its last match was close. 

“We beat them by one shot last time, but that was at home. This time we are away,” she said.

In other round 17 matches played on Saturday, Warrnambool Gold defeated Timboon 107-95, Warrnambool White defeated Warrnambool Blue 92-86, City Memorial Red defeated Port Fairy Red 98-81 and Terang defeated City Memorial Gold 102-89. 

?jwoolley@fairfaxmedia.com.au