Round 20 of the Mount Isa Eight Ball Association saw some mismatches on paper with the top five playing the bottom five, though there were close calls for teams hoping to gather momentum into the finals.The Buffs JMI turned around erratic early-season form to tear up to fifth. But the Inlaws defeated the JMI the first round and shot out to a two-nil lead. However the JMI took the next five frames. The Inlaws, behind captain Noodle String and Frank Janssen, turned an 8-4 deficit to trail by one frame at 12-11 into the last game. All Inlaws players had wins though String may have been the best on the day but they would come up marginally short as Anthony Behan took the decider.

IRISH CLUB OUTLAWS 12 (Randall Thorpe 4) DREW WITH BARKLY INCREDIBALLZ 12

The Outlaws secured their fifth draw of the year against the Incrediballz who looked to have the game in the bag at 12-11. In a day where neither team enjoyed more than a two-frame lead, the Outlaws are showing resolution even though they aren’t getting the wins. Next week’s showdown with the Buffs 303s will test how well the Outlaws are placed, though a loss may see them sink to seventh with one match remaining. Both teams were without some of their standout stars, but for the Outlaws, Randall Thorpe Is undefeated in three weeks, and Jacob Hardy is also playing well. For the Ballz, Tim Graham and Johnny Houng stood out and the Incrediballz are gaining consistency and could be a dark horse for the title.

BUFFALO BILLS 14 (Hayley Anderson 4) DEFEATED BOWLING ALLEY CPR 10

The Buffalo Bills dug out of a deep hole against the Bowling Alley CPR who desperately need confidence heading into the finals, most likely taking 8th place. The early play had the CPR ahead 3-2 then 7-3 as Dwayne MacDonald and Don Cameron led from the front. But the Bills took nine of the next ten frames at home for a 12-8 advantage. Hayley Anderson kept her winning form together while the Bills head into the bye, but would like to hold onto third spot on the ladder, though the Incrediballz will likely close that gap to one point next week.

MIBC ISLANDERS 16 (Garry Cummins 4) DEFEATED OVERLANDER NEW STARS 8

The Islanders secured second spot in their win over the Overlander New Stars, opening a 3-point gap between them and the Bills who have the bye next week. Garry Cummins led the Islanders on a day where most players had more wins than losses but with Samm Carpenter, Christina Hinds and Noel Doyle all taking solid frames, some will say the league is a two-horse race. For the New Stars, Grant Brooker played well and Dennis Willetts is also gathering a handy record.

BUFFS 303S 20 (Jye Graham 4; AJ Saunders 4; Shaye Graham 4; Braith Graham 1; Ashton Graham 1) DEFEATED BARKLY BOOZERS 4

The Buffs 303s kept winning and round out the year against the Outlaws and New Stars which will see them secure their third minor premiership in a row. Unless the Bills falter against the Hustlers in the last round, the 303s will book a date with the Incrediballz the first week of finals and will need more comprehensive individual play from some of their stars. Still, Shaye and Jye Graham are two of the form players in the competition.