Sixth grade travelled to Howlong for the playoffs and with a first round bye, and automatic entry into the semi finals, Junee was given the difficult task of playing Howlong on their own turf.

With a spot in the final on the line, Junee started well establishing a commanding 20-shot lead early in the piece on the back of Roy Woodall’s exceptional play.

With Martin Holmes, Brian Smith, Graham Miller and Roy Woodall starting like a house on fire they were strong early leading 15 to 0. Nathan Charlton, Jed Passlow, Corey Hazell and David Billingham were also strong early.

Billy Seton, Robert Minister, Todd Clark and Craig Shaw went on the offensive, finishing with a 22 shot victory, winning 28 to 6. David Billingham won their rink in equally impressive fashion 28 to 13 and Roy Woodall just got over the line winning by three shots, 24 to 21 and Junee booked their spot in the Zone 8 final. Junee won with 80 to Howlong’s 40.

In the final, Junee faced a strong team from Young and it did not start well for Junee with all rinks giving up multiple shots early, trailing 13 to 0. Junee’s most consistent rink skippered by Craig Shaw started Junee’s fightback winning the next six ends and scoring 20 shots in the piece, to lead 20 to 5 after eight ends.

David Billingham’s rink stopped the early bleeding to consolidate but still trailing 8 to 4 after eight ends.

Roy Woodall’s rink started slowly and could not trouble the scorer until the sixth end to trail 11 to 5 after eight.

After 24 ends Junee were back in the final holding a slender five shot lead, 29 to 24. In the middle third of the contest Junee put there foot on the accelerator lead by Billingham’s rink scoring six shots in the fourteenth end alone and not to outdone Shaw’s rink scored nine shots over the thirteenth and fourteenth ends. With 42 of 63 ends played, Junee had established a 24 shot lead, 58 to 34.

In the final third of the match, Young fought hard, but the damage was done with Junee increasing their lead to win the final 79  to 48.

Sixth grade will play in the state playoff in Narrandera and Leeton in July.