MIDWEEK PENNANT FINALS – SEASON 2023/24
All three of Pakenham’s Midweek sides featured in this year’s finals.
By finishing second on the ladder, Pakenham One (Div 1) qualified for the Second Semi-Final played at Clayton (top of the ladder) last Tuesday. Berwick One (third) played Keysborough One (fourth) in Semi-Final One at Berwick – with the loser bowing out, that game was also an elimination final.
The Lions got away to a slow start in their game and by the completion of the first fifteen ends found themselves trailing by eight shots to 14, with two down and one all square. However from that point until about the lunch break they warmed to the task and by the mid point of the game held a slim two shot lead with two up and one down.
Unfortunately, the second half of the game belonged to Clayton. With the exception of “Foxy’s” rink which held its own all day, the Cobras outscored the Lions from the mid point forward to hold a lead of 44 shots to 33 at the start of the business ends and 66 to 43, with two up and one level, at the completion of play.
Clayton therefore progressed directly into the Grand Final while Pakenham had a second chance, with a home Preliminary Final against Berwick, which had beaten Keysborough by a single shot in the other semi.
Pakenham’s best rink, with a 15 all tie, was Chris “Foxy” Fox (S), Steve “Krusty” Bentley (3), Lynne Smith (2) and David Saint (L).
The Ones were the only Pakenham team to play on Thursday – consequently, the game drew a fair crowd. Given that they were playing on their home deck, the Lions did not start well and by the completion of the first fifteen ends were trailing 13 shots to 22 with one up and two down. By the half way mark however, the deficit had been reduced to just three shots although at that stage, all three of the home side’s rinks were behind.
It was nip and tuck for the rest of the game and with just six ends remaining overall, the Lions finally got their noses in front – however it was to be another heartbreaking result and it was the Wickers who took the chocolates with a 63 to 61, two shot win – they will now play Clayton in the Grand Final at Mulgrave.
Pakenham’s best rink which fought back from four to 12 behind after five ends, to finish with 25 to 21, was Terry “TMac” McRedmond (S), Max Mannik (3), Peter Bott (2) and Luis Aguilar (L). Other members of the team were: Keith “Golden Arm” Archer, Ned Courtin, Keith Lewis, Kerry Lewis, Chris “Foxy” Fox, Steve “Krusty” Bentley, Lynne Smith and David Saint.
That was the end of a great season for Pakenham. For the second game in a row, the Lions were without Neil “Big Dev” Devlin and Glenn “Google” Bainbridge who made a significant contribution throughout the season but were unavailable for the finals – would they have made the difference? We’ll never know and in any case their replacements were more than capable.
With 11 wins and three losses for the season, Pakenham Two (Div 3) finished on top of the ladder and earned the right to a home Semi-Final against second placed Cardinia Waters One. Coincidentally, both of those sides had finished the home and away rounds with an unexpected loss so in addition to wanting a win at the finals level, both had the added incentive of gaining redemption.
As is usual with a clash between these near neighbours, the scores were very close during the early stages of the match – after the completion of the first 15 ends, although the Lions had two rinks up, their overall lead was just one shot.
However by the half way point of the match, although the situation was still two up and one down, the home side had increased its lead to 11 shots and the rink which was behind was by then only two shots in arrears. By the start of the business ends, there had been no significant change, although the lead had marginally increased to 14 shots by then. From that point it was not exactly a comfortable cruise home – nevertheless the Lions won by 15 shots with two up and one drawn.
Best rink with 21 to 10 was Allister Stewart (S), Brian Norton (3), Maree Taylor (2) and Judith Ferrari (L).
Cardinia Waters rebounded to beat Cranbourne Two by 59 shots to 50 in the Preliminary Final and will have a rematch with Pakenham Two in the Section Grand Final on neutral territory at Berwick on Tuesday 5 March.
Pakenham Three (Div 5) joined the Twos in hosting a Semi–Final under the Paky dome last Tuesday after also ending the season on top of the ladder – in their case with a remarkable 12 wins from 14 games. Their opponent was Narre Warren Four.
That game did not run quite according to script in that one rink struggled all day – nevertheless, the Lions were always in front. After the first fifteen ends with two up and one down, they held a six shot lead – that was also the situation at the mid way mark.
After the break, despite one rink’s continuing battle, Pakenham built on their slender lead which, by the start of the business ends, had grown to a far more comfortable 17 shots. They went on to win by 12 shots with two up and one down. Best rink with 30 to 16 was Bill Bosch (S), Mick Knight (3), Gillian Harper (2) and Wayne Oosthuizen (L).
Narre then thrashed Cardinia Waters Two in the Preliminary Final on Thursday and will again face Pakenham in the Grand Final on Tuesday 5 March.
Thanks to Bowls Victoria for scheduling both Pakenham Grand Finals at the same venue, Berwick – it certainly makes sense not to divide the supporter base.
To those of you who read this report before Tuesday 5 March – get down to Berwick and make some noise!
Des Leigh