Round 17 of the Mount Isa 8 Ball Association had some surprising scores to complicate the ladder. Like the first time the Buffalo Bills met the MIBC Islanders, the Islanders run out winners though this time it was a heart-stopping finish. The home side knew the tables better for a handy 5-nil lead behind Noel Doyle and Pete Burgess. The Bills came back well. Three straight made the score respectable with James Ghee and captain Hayley Anderson closing out tight frames, and when Paul Caulfield took the second of his three wins on the day, they were nipping at the heels at 9-8. Doyle kicked the Islanders closer to the win but a valiant effort again by Caulfield and Anderson tied the day at 11-all. Jay Austin got one up for the Islanders and the Bills all but sealed the draw as Ziggy Grubczynski got on the black, but an unfortunate foul cost the Bills the draw. The Islanders tie the Bills on points for second place on the ladder with a game in hand.  

BOWLING ALLEY INLAWS 13 (Noodle String 4) DEFEATED IRISH CLUB OUTLAWS 11

The Bowling Alley Inlaws suffered one-frame defeats to the Buffs JMI and the Buffalo Bills, and a draw with the Bowling Alley CPR and if a frame here or there was taken to convert them to wins, they would be in the thick of the finals chase. Instead it looks like they may have missed the ship though they beat the Outlaws in a good match. The Inlaws started well for a 5-2 advantage, and in the end two frames would flatter the score for the Outlaws who were outplayed all day. Inlaws captain Noodle String was again impressive taking four frames off the more fancied rivals, while for the Outlaws, Randall Thorpe and Jacob Hardy kept their team close. The Outlaws needed this one to go their way as they have a horror draw the next four weeks.

BUFFS JMI 19 (Frank Gatto 4; Troy Anderson 4) DEFEATED BARKLY BOOZERS 4

The Buffs JMI returned to form with their best players on hand to take care of the Barkly Boozers 19-5. The loss paired with the Hustlers win will make it exceptionally hard for the Boozers to extend their season into the finals, while for the JMI, behind great play by Troy Anderson and Frank Gatto, will make a run for fifth.

BUFFS 303S 20 (Adam Langtree 4; Jye Graham 4; Shaye Graham 4; Jason Graham 4; Braith Graham 4) DEFEATED BOWLING ALLEY CPR 4

The Buffs 303s look to have clinched the minor premiership with a five-point lead as they ended Bowling Alley CPR’s season, relegating them to 8th with another 20-4 win. The 303s were a threat across the park but the CPR will need to put the loss behind them as they tackle some more top-4 sides over the next couple of rounds, although their season depends on their next outing versus the Hustlers at the Island.

MIBC HUSTLERS 17 (Tony Semyraha 3) DEFEATED OVERLANDER NEW STARS 7

The MIBC Hustlers halted their seven-match winless streak with a solid win over the last placed Overlander New Stars at the Overlander Hotel, though not a comprehensively. No Hustlers would finish the day 4-from- four but Tony Semyraha starred once more taking three. Garth Apps, Greg Payne and Steve Healy all chipped in with three wins after jumping to seventh spot.