MIDWEEK PENNANT – GRAND FINALS – END OF SEASON 2023/24

Two of Pakenham’s three Midweek teams competed in Sectional Grand Finals at Berwick last week.

Pakenham Two (Div 3) played near neighbour Cardinia Waters’ number one side.  On the last occasion that these sides met, in a Semi–Final at Pakenham, the Lions won by 15 shots with two rinks up and the other all square – but a closer tussle was expected this time.

The game commenced in bright sunshine on a beautiful grass deck and yes, it was close.  After 15 ends Pakenham led overall by a single shot but at that stage had only one rink in front.  By lunch time however, the Villagers had forged ahead on two rinks to establish an overall lead of 13 shots while the only Lions rink with its nose in front led by just one shot.  

Then, as is often the case, there was a marked shift in momentum following the break – although one of the Lion’s rinks went backwards in a big way the other two began to surge ahead and by the start of the business ends they had two up and were only five shots behind overall.  From there, the run home was all Pakenham as they outscored Cardinia Waters by 22 shots to 12 over the final 15 ends to win by five shots with two up and one down – a magnificent team effort and one which earned them the Sectional Premiership flag.

Pakenham’s best rink with 26 shots to 13 was Allister Stewart (S), Brian Norton (3), Maree Taylor (2) and Judith Ferrari (L).  The other members of the team were: Paul Currie, Vince Bevilacqua, Ash Graham, Helen Wright, “Stormin” Norm Box, Jim Williams, Rick Burns and Gayle Harkness.  The emergencies, Keith “Golden Arm” Archer and Luis Aguilar were champing at the bit on the sidelines but were not called upon.

I could not help but notice in last week’s Gazette that Cardinia Waters’ press correspondent, John Moore, wrote that, “…the side (they) most enjoy beating is the Pakenham Lions.”  Well mate, you had two opportunities in the finals and came second on both occasions but don’t lose heart – both sides will be promoted to Div Two for season 2024-25 so you can have another crack then – good luck with that! 

The Lions had only one day off before heading off to the Divisional Finals but let’s face it, with the flag safely in their keeping, anything from that point forward was a bonus.

On Thursday the Lions turned out on an unfamiliar deck at Burwood against an unknown opponent in Moonee Valley which had defeated Moonee Ponds in the Section Two Grand Final (Dame Edna would not have been pleased).  Still, the situation was the same for both contenders as each was on neutral territory against a side they’d never seen before.

A sluggish start by the Lions cost them for the remainder of the game.  At the completion of the first fifteen ends they trailed by six shots to 18 and were down on all three rinks and that situation had not improved by the half way mark – in fact it was worse, as Pakenham was still behind on all three rinks and the deficit had grown to 20 shots.

There was some improvement after the break but all of those (small) gains were taken back by Moonee Valley in the run home and the Lions eventually lost by 45 shots to 65 with only the one winning rink – “Stormin” Norm Box (S), Jim Williams (3), Rick Burns (2) and Gayle Harkness (L).

All in all, it has been an incredible season for Pakenham Two.  After being promoted from Div 4 at the end of season 2022-23 they proved not only competitive in the higher division but finished on top of the ladder, won the flag and will be promoted (again) to Div 2 for 2024-25 – as I said, anything beyond that would have been a bonus.

Pakenham Three found itself on a similar path to that experienced by the Twos.  After being promoted at the end of the previous season they also proved more than competitive in the higher division and finished the home and away rounds on top of the ladder.

They had beaten their Grand Final opponents Narre Warren Four by 12 shots in the Semi-Final but a rematch on grass was a different challenge.  Narre made only minor changes to the side which had previously been beaten by the Lions but those “tweaks” had the desired effect.

After the first fifteen ends, Pakenham were down on two rinks, level on the third and trailing by 10 shots to 21.  The Panthers then went beserk during the period leading up to lunch at which point their lead had blown out to 55 shots to15 and they were in front on all three rinks.   The Lions marginally outscored their opponents over the remainder of the game but could never bridge the gap, eventually losing by 38 shots to 72 with only one rink in front.

Pakenham’s winning rink with 19 shots to 18 was Eric Peterson (S), Ken Clifton (3), Gary “Crow” Crowley (2) and Ian Kitt (L).  The other members of the team were Bill Bosch, Mick Knight, Gillian Harper, Wayne Oosthuizen, Peter Wilson, Lindsay Stevenson, Karen Oosthuizen and Graham Cooper.

Despite falling at the final hurdle, the Threes have also had a successful season and by finishing second have earned promotion to Div 4 for next season – well done all. 

The Pennant competition may be finished but there are plenty of opportunities to play bowls over what used to be the “Off Season” including:

• Social bowls on Saturday 16 March – contact Darren Webb;
• HI-LO Day open to Pakenham Members on Saturday 23 March – contact Des Leigh;
• The Blue Ribbon event, The Paky 5000, over the weekend 6 & 7 April;
• Tuesday Winter Triples, commencing 30 April – contact Dave Moore; and
• Saturday Winter Pairs, commencing 4 May – contact TBA.

Good bowling and to those escaping to the North, happy travels and a safe return.

Des Leigh