Maitland City Hunters had a close-fought loss and Beresfield Magpies advanced after the first round of elimination finals in Big Bowls Challenge on Friday night.
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The Hunters won the doubles but went down in the singles and triples to lose 5.5-9.5 to Nelson Bay.
The doubles and singles both went down to tie breaks with the Hunters’ Rod Darcy and DJ Dilworth prevailing 2-1 and singles player Rowan Brassey losing by the same margin.
The triples lost their first set and tied their second, missing the chance to go to a tie breaker as well.
Beresfield Magpies returned to form but were pushed all the way defeating Terrigal 9-6.
The Magpies had wins in the doubles and triples after both coming from one set down.
Mick Beesley won his opening set in the singles and fell agonisingly close to securing victory falling 9-10 in the second before losing the third 0-5.
Kurri Kurri Cannons and Raymond Terrace Jets have the first week off courtey of finishing top two after bonus point wins in the final round.
They go straight to the major semi at Valentine on Tuesday, November 8, with the winner earning the first spot in the grand final.
The loser has a double chance and plays the eventual winner of the 3-6 play-off series in a preliminary final to decide the second grand finalist.
In the minor play-offs East Cessnock (seventh) and East Maitland (eighth) get the week off and will battle on Monday, at Alder Park.