IRISH CLUB SMOKIN’ ACES 16 DEFEATED BARKLY BOOZERS 8

Round four of the Mount Isa Eight Ball Association saw the top half of the ladder take on the lower half, and most matches seemed to go the to the favourites, including the Irish Club Smokin’ Aces strengthening their lead at the top of the table against the Barkly Boozers. Though it would be a slowish start for the Boozers, they started to compete late with Neil Ning taking three frames for the Barkly side, but they were thoroughly outmatched by the hottest side in the league. Aces stars AJ Saunders, Tim Graham and Mick Lehtonen all took three frames for the front-runners who head to the Overlander in round six, hoping they can remain in first spot though some other teams are nipping at their heels.

BUFFALO BILLS 20 (Ziggy Grubczynski 4; James Ghee 4; Lux Thodsen 4; Adam Murr 4) DEFEATED BUFFS TOTAL DIVAS 2

The Buffalo Bills took a significant step forward to challenge the Aces with an overwhelming 20-2 victory over their stablemates, the Buffs Total Divas. The Aces, though they tried from frame to frame, couldn’t compete with the experience at the top of the Bills list, though Coral Morgan would take the two frames away for her side. Hayley Anderson led the way for the Bills with a nice master clearance, while veterans James Ghee, Adam Murr and Ziggy Grubczyinski held all their frames.

BUFFS 303S 18 (Barry Shonhan 4; Pierre Pardo 4) DEFEATED BUFFS JMI 6 (Mick Kavanagh 3)

The Buffs 303s, despite dropping to third on differential, still find themselves in a great position on the table going into their bye in round five. Their round four defeat of the Buffs JMI saw them navigate their way through the tougher part of the draw, having faced all the sides in the top four now, dropping only the one game. Now Jason Graham’s chargers can focus on putting cricket scores up against the lower sides. New recruit Barry Shonhan led from the front to take four assertive wins while Pierre Pardo also finished the day undefeated. The Buffs JMI lone shining light was Mick Kavanagh who accounted for half his side’s wins, emerging undefeated in first match in the league.

MIBC ISLANDERS 16 (Garry Cummins 2) DEFEATED BOWLING ALLEY CPR 8

The MIBC Islanders took their side filled with new players to the Bowling Alley to face the CPR, who have also recruited well in the off-season. Early, the Islanders flexed their might for a 5-2 lead thanks to Garry Cummins and Pete Baker. Although the CPR managed to get back to 6-4 down, the day belonged to the Islanders. Aiden Biondi and Pete Burgess, both taking three frames, add to the depth of the Islanders who sit in fifth spot with a match in hand, waiting to jump on any mistakes from the top-4.

MIBC HUSTLERS 18 (Steve Healy 4; Dave Hartin 3) DEFEATED OVERLANDER NEW STARS 6

The final match saw the Hustlers take their third straight win, this time over the undermanned Overlander New Stars 18-6. Hustler captain Steve Healy regained his form, and Dave Hartin also went undefeated in the 12-point drubbing, though Pete Tomaskovic and Scott Megarrity made the Hustlers work for the win, each taking three frames.