Pennant Season 2019 – 2020 Round 17

PENNANT REPORT – ROUND 17 – 29 FEB 2020-03-01

SATURDAY

Following the loss of a number of key players at the end of last season, the doomsayers predicted that Pakenham’s Division One side was destined for relegation in 2019/20 – however that has been far from the case and the side has been as high as second on the ladder.  Although a recent run of disappointing results has seen them drop from third to seventh spot, finals are still not out of the question – there are only 14 points separating third from seventh and with at least two of the clubs above them facing tough final round games, a good win next week could see the Lions back in the four.

Saturday’s home game against FernTree Gully was another of the season’s disappointments.  Having won at the Gully, the Lions were expected to prevail again at home; however with nothing to lose, the visitors simply did not accept that outcome and led at all of the important milestones to win overall by 82/70 and with two and a half rinks up, took 15 Pennant points.  The Lions’ only winning rink, with 19/14, was Chris Fox (Foxy) (S), Des (Grizzly) Leigh (3), Gian Pianezzola (2) and Graeme (Wildman) Wilde (L).  Trent Gribbin’s rink played out a 21 all draw.  They will be away at Burden Park (eighth) for round 18.

The depleted Pakenham Two (Div 2) never seemed to have a handle on their game at Berwick, yet at the half way mark, with two rinks in front, they were outscoring the locals and only one shot in arrears; however, as is often the case, the game changed completely after the break and Berwick pulled away to a 28 shot win.  Pakenham’s one winning rink with a handy 23/11 was Paul Currie (S), Gary Pincott (3), Jennifer Bainbridge (2) and Kevin (Digger) Goonan (L).

The Twos now occupy the bottom spot on the ladder and face clear section leaders, The Dandenong Club, at home, in the final round.

In stark contrast to the efforts of their senior team, Pakenham Three (Div 4) achieved what the Ones failed to do, handing out an absolute thrashing to FernTree Gully (Four).  By the completion of 20 ends they had more than doubled their opponents score and were 39 shots in front at the half way mark.  After the break, they maintained the pressure until the final end, to record a huge win overall (110/49) and collected maximum Pennant points.  Best of four winning rinks with 31/14 was Gary (Crow) Crowley (S), Lindsay Stevenson (3), Sam Granieri (2) and Gail Wilcock (L).

The Threes are still in fifth spot but are now only 13 points behind Berwick in fourth.  An away win against Beaumaris in the final round would give them a real chance of making the finals, particularly as Berwick are to play clear ladder leaders, The Dandenong Club, at Heatherton Road.

Pakenham Four (Div 5) unfortunately returned from their game at the Mulgrave Country Club soundly beaten (60/100) with zero Pennant points.  They were never in the hunt, although John Hickman, Graham Epps, Brian Welsh and John Barlow had a real crack on their rink and at times were in front, only to be pipped at the post by four shots.  Now in ninth spot, the Fours host Churchill Waverley Golf (tenth) in the final round to determine who collects the wooden spoon.

MIDWEEK

Pakenham One (Div 1) were at Beaumaris where they got away to a good start with all three rinks up and a 20/10 scoreline after the first 15 ends.  They were still in front with two up and one down (by a single shot) at the half way mark but things began to take a turn for the worse after that – by the start of the business ends the locals had wrested back the lead and went on to win by 79 shots to 53 and took maximum Pennant points.

Now in tenth place, the Ones host Carrum (eighth) in the penultimate round.

The Second Division side were involved in a real arm wrestle with Narre Warren at home.  After 15 ends the scores were level at 12 apiece, then by the half way mark, with two rinks up, the visitors had taken a three shot lead which they extended to four shots by the start of the business ends.  The Lions showed real spirit to fight back from that point to win on one rink and with a remarkable effort on Peter Powney’s rink, to draw on a second.  The final result was a four shot win to Pakenham with Ave Jones’ rink of Brian Norton (3), Kevin Holley (2) and Kevin (Digger) Goonan (L) winning by 24 shots to 12.

Despite the win, the Twos are still in tenth spot.  They play Berwick Two (2nd) away, next round.

Pakenham Three (Div 4) pulled off what has been a tough assignment of late and that is to beat The Dandenong Club on their home turf.  They bolted out of the blocks to lead 24/9 after 15 ends and with two rinks up, were still in front by eight shots at the half way mark.  That was also the situation at the start of the business ends and although the locals pushed back hard they were unable to make up the deficit and with two winning rinks, the Lions came home 56/52 in front and collected 14 of the available 16 points.  Best rink with 19/13 was Lindsay Stevenson (S), Roy Harvie (3), John Moore (2) and Brian Welsh (L).

The win elevated the Threes to eighth spot on the ladder.  They play Mulgrave Country Club (seventh) at home next round.

The Six-A-Side Pakenham Four had a hard fought victory at home against Parkdale Three.  The locals were sluggish at first and by the time each rink had played five ends, they trailled by four shots to 14 and were looking very ordinary.  However something (whatever it was it should be bottled – it’s worth gold) lit a fire under them from that point forward and they converted that poor start into a 26/19 lead by half time and were still in front by six shots with 10 ends left to play.    Six shots was also the final winning margin and with both rinks up, the Fours collected maximum Pennant points.  Best of the winners were John Hickman (S), Ray Leggett (2) and John Barlow (L) with 19/16.

The win lifted the Fours to eighth spot; however, because they have the bye next round (and cannot collect points) they are likely to drop back again before the end of the season.

HI-LO

The winner for this round with number 19 was Gian Pianezzola.

 Des Leigh (Grizzly)