Pennant Season 2019 – 2020 Round 16

PAKENHAM BOWLS CLUB – PENNANT REPORT – ROUND 16 – 22 FEB 2020

SATURDAY

When Pakenham’s First Division side met Cheltenham in the first half of the home and away rounds it was the Lions who claimed the win, as well as 16 of the 18 available Pennant points.  However the Cheltenham team which turned out for round two on their home ground last Saturday was a vastly different proposition.  Playing a standard of bowls which would have seen them beat any other team in the section, they applied relentless pressure from the start to the finish of the contest and with few exceptions Pakenham’s players simply could not find the answers – In the end, the Cockies handed the Lions an absolute thrashing and sent them home pointless.

With Mulgrave unexpectedly taking maximum points from Warburton and Beaumaris chalking up a good win over Armadale, the Lions have dropped from third to fifth on the ladder.  Whether or not they play finals now depends on teams higher on the ladder losing a game (or games) in the last two rounds while Pakenham must win.   Round 17 is scheduled as a home game against FernTree Gully (10th).

Pakenham Two (Div 2) continued a year to forget with a loss at home against Mordialloc One.  They started that game well and in the earlier stages held a slender lead, with two up and two down.  However by the half way mark they had started to fall behind and by the commencement of the business ends were 17 shots in arrears – the final result was a 20 shot loss 67/87.  Their only winning rink with 20/19 was Jim Barrie (S), Stormin’ Norm Box (3), Ken Clifton (2) and Razor Ray Pigdon (L).  Peter Ellis’ rink came close, winning the last six ends on the trot but just fell short.

The Twos are now in ninth spot on the ladder – the will be away at Berwick (sixth) next round.

The Fourth Division Threes were dominant all afternoon in their game against Cranbourne.  At the completion of the first twenty ends they had more than doubled their opponents’ score and at the half way point still held a handy 11 shot lead.  Although there was not much between the two sides from that point forward, the Lions slowly added to their score and eventually won by 20 shots, 92/72.  Best of three winning rinks with 29/12 was John (Giovanni) Donazzan (S), Peter Wilson (3), John Siekman (2) and Roger Platt (L).

The win elevated the Threes to fifth spot on the ladder; they will host FernTree Gully (ninth) next round.

Whether it has anything to do with the roof over their green or not, The Dandenong Club has become a real powerhouse of late, particularly when playing at home – and at ninth on the ladder, Pakenham Four were well aware that they faced a tough assignment, up against the clear section leaders on their own turf.  Nevertheless, they matched it with their opponents in the earlier stages of the game and even at the half way point were only six shots in arrears.  However after the break, their hosts slipped into overdrive and eventually won convincingly by 40 shots, taking maximum Pennant points in the process.

Now ninth on the ladder, The Fours are away again next round at Mulgrave Country Club (fifth).

MIDWEEK

Playing at home against second on the ladder Armadale One, Pakenham’s First Division side established a slender early lead and pretty much held their own for almost three quarters of the game but lost contact from that point forward, eventually losing across all three rinks to the tune of 21 shots.  They remain on the ninth rung of the ladder – their next game is away at Beaumaris for what will be the battle of the cellar dwellars.

Pakenham Two (Div 2) were away at The Dandenong Club which, as usual, was the clear ladder leader (and by a country mile!).  As expected, their hosts were far from hospitable, sending them home with a bloody nose and zero Pennant points.  Hopefully, they will get a better result next round at home against Narre Warren (fifth).

To add to the woeful week, Pakenham Three (Div 4) lost at home to Narre Warren.  They were never in the hunt at any stage and were eventually belted by 79 shots to 29.  They are now in ninth spot and next round take on The Dandenong Club which, for a change, is not on top of the ladder (but still top four).

Although they too suffered a loss, the Six-A-Side Pakenham Four gave a fair account of themselves at Burden Park.  Both rinks went down but only by four and five shots respectively.  Provided they can make up the numbers, they have a home game against Parkdale (seventh) next round.

HI-LO

The winner for round 16 was John Donazzan with number 42.

 Des Leigh (Grizzly)