With one game to go on Tuesday 27 to complete Section 1, there is just one point between Grade 3 leaders Iluka (16) and second placed South Grafton (15).
And in Grade 4, Yamba has established a 4 point lead over GDSWBC – 14/10.
Having blitzed their Grade 3 opposition in the first three games, Iluka fell just 2 shots short of winning their fourth against Maclean at Iluka, going down 43-41in a thriller. They face second placed South Grafton in Grafton on Tuesday April 27 in what should be a great contest.
South is hot on their heels, and hitting good form, having won their last 3 games 5-0. This past week they defeated Red Rock 5-0 away from home, and then outclassed Yamba at home, 5-0. With the next four games at home, they will be tough to beat.
GDSWBC sit in third spot in Grade 3 on 10 and the Maclean side is also starting to find form after a shaky start, on 9, and either one could easily finish on top. These two sides play each other in Round 5 in a crucial clash. Yamba and Red Rock both sit on 5 points.
In Grade 4 Maclean is also potentially still in the running on 6, only 4 behind second placed GDSWBC, and both South Grafton and Iluka are on 5.
With 6 rounds still to play, it is too early to confidently call either grade.
Last week’s results for Grade 3:
Round 3 – South Grafton 52 d Red Rock 27 (5-0); Iluka 48 d GDSWBC 23 (5-0); Maclean 44 d Yamba 37 (4-1).
Round 4 – GDSWBC 51 d Red Rock 30 (4-1); South Grafton 52 d Yamba 31 (5-0); Maclean 43 d Iluka 41 (5-0).
And results for Grade 4:
Round 3 – Yamba 50 d Iluka 29 (5-0); GDSWBC 50 d South Grafton 35 (5-0); Maclean – Bye
Round 4 – Yamba 50 d Maclean 37 (4-1); Iluka 44 d South Grafton 30 (5-0); GDSC – Bye.
Round 5, the Grade 3 games on April 27 sees Yamba travel to Red Rock; GDSC hosts Maclean while South Grafton is at home to Iluka.
Then commencing Section 2 of the draw Round 6 on April 29 has Maclean playing Red Rock at Maclean, Iluka taking on Yamba at home and cross town rivals South Grafton & GDSWBC doing battle at South.
Meanwhile, in Grade 4 on 27th Yamba be home to South Grafton, GDSWBC will play Maclean at Maclean and Iluka has the bye.
Also starting Section 2 on 29th, Yamba will take on GDSWBC on Grafton’s home turf in what shapes as a very important game, Iluka plays Maclean at home and South Grafton has the bye.
Rounds 5 & 6 will be reported on in next week’s Independent.
Wendy Ballantyne