Pakenham Bowls Club -2021/2022 – RD 1

ROUND 1 – SATURDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2021

It is not unusual for the first round of bowls (and cricket) to be washed out and that looked like being the case again in 2021/22 despite the fact that the commencement of the season was delayed by six weeks due to Covid restrictions. Surprisingly, however, given last Saturday’s inclement weather, very few venues were affected to the point where play had to be abandoned and all three Pakenham teams obtained a result.

DIVISION ONE

Although fielding a slightly different lineup, Pakenham’s top side continued the form which won it a flag last season, kicking off 2021/22 with a good win against Beaumaris, at home, under the roof and out of the weather. The Lions jumped away to an early lead in that game and after 20 ends overall were dominating, with a lead of 27 shots to eight. By the half way mark (approximately), with two rinks up, two down and the score at 39 to 27, they continued to hold a handy lead. From that point forward they powered home to win convincingly by 87 to 58 and with three successful rinks, collected 16 of the available 18 Pennant points.

Best rink with an incredible (at this level) score of 37/7 was Neil (Big Dev) Devlin (S), Ned Courtin (3), Gian (Big G) Pianezzola (2) and Trent Gribbin (L). The Ones will be up in the hills at Upwey-Tecoma next round.

DIVISION THREE

The Second side was involved in a very close game just down the highway at Berwick. Their match, which went right down to the wire, was not decided until the last end. The Wickers leapt out of the blocks and after the first 20 ends had three rinks up and at 22/10 had more than doubled the Lions tally – from Pakenham’s perspective, the outlook was as bleak as the weather. However from that point the Lions seemed to come to grips with the tricky, wet synthetic green and by the half way mark with two rinks up, one all square and the score at 41 to 40 they had turned the game around and had their noses in front. From then until the finish it was neck and neck but when the game was over, with two up and two down and the score at 76 to 79, it was Berwick which took the honours.

Best Pakenham rink with 24 to 16 was Des (Grizzly) Leigh (S), Ray Aylen (3), Trent (Rowdy) Bedford (2) and John (Giovanni) Donazzan (L). Ray Aylen played an outstanding game and in his first outing for the club was B.O.G. Next round will have some added interest as the Twos will host Cardinia Waters (One), a team which is likely to include a number of former Pakenham players.

DIVISION FIVE

Pakenham’s Third side shared the shelter of the Dome and the warm glow of a very good home win with their Div One team mates. They took control and were travelling very nicely from early in their game and after the first twenty ends had two up, one even and were ahead 29 to 21. By the half way stage, they had pushed that score out to 54 to 42 and were in front on three of the four rinks. From that point on they put the collective foot down to cruise to a final, impressive score of 102 to 67 and with three rinks up bagged 16 Pennant points. The only losing rink went down by just one shot.
Best rink with 31 to 10 was Peter Wilson (S), Bill Bosch (3), David Moore (2) and Alan Wilcock (L).

The Threes will be under cover again next Saturday as they are to play at Narre Warren where they will be sheltered by their new roof.

The Midweek Pennant competition is scheduled to commence on Tuesday 16 November – report next week.

Des Leigh