Pakenham Bowls Club – Weekend Pennant 2022/2023 Round 6

SATURDAY

Pakenham One (Div 1) were on unfamiliar territory at St Kilda last Saturday as few, if any, of its team would previously have played at that venue.  However the fact that they were on new ground did not prevent them from making a strong start and after the first twenty ends, in what was shaping up as a tight game, they had three rinks up and led overall by 16 shots to 12.  The Saints came back hard from that point and by the half way mark they had almost turned the game around and had three of their own rinks in front – however the Lions still held a narrow three shot lead overall.

Then as the game developed further, Pakenham’s players really got their heads down and tails up and got on with the job – by the start of the business ends they had two up and two down and had eked out a somewhat healthier margin of 10 shots.  The two sides were then pretty much neck and neck in the run home but Pakenham prevailed for a hard fought win with two up, one all square and an overall lead of seven shots.

The best of Pakenham’s rinks, which had dominated all day to finish with 22 shots to 11, was Brad Martin (S), Dylan Morrison (3), Keith “Golden Arm” Archer (2) and Terry “TMac” McRedmond (L).  Still in ninth position, the Lions have the opportunity to start their slow climb up the ladder with a win next round over eighth placed Brunswick at home.

For the second round in a row, Pakenham Two (Div 4) played away – on this occasion up in the hills at the picturesque Upwey-Tecoma club (although with flood damage still evident, not quite so attractive at present).  Stung by a one shot loss in the previous round, Pakenham’s players were determined not to fall short again and were fired up as play commenced.  Despite somewhat challenging conditions, with a gusting wind swirling around and a heavier than expected track, the Lions had established a lead of 18 shots to nine by the completion of the first twenty ends and were travelling well, with three rinks up and the other all square.  From that point, the locals put up a little more fight and by the half way mark both sides had two rinks in front but Pakenham still held a lead of six shots.

After the break, the Lions came out all fired up again and by the time the game commenced its final stages they had extended their lead to 15 shots and again had three up and one level.  Pakenham kept the foot down over the last twenty ends to run out winners by 24 shots and with all four rinks successful, collected the maximum Pennant points and retained top spot on the ladder.

The Lions best rink, which never seemed to be challenged at any stage of the afternoon and finished with 26 shots to eight was Keith Lewis (S) (yes the lucky bloke who wins the Hi-LO – he can obviously bowl a bit as well), Kerry Lewis (3), Darren Webster (2) and Val Moore (L).

The Twos sit on top of the ladder, only 5 points clear of Mulgrave Country Club who will be full of confidence after a huge win at home against Cardinia Waters in this round.    It should be quite a battle when the two sides meet at Pakenham on Saturday 3 December to decide which team can claim top of the heap at the half way point of the season.

Pakenham Three (Div 6) continued their unbeaten run with another win last Saturday.   The only team flying the home flag on the day, the Thirds hosted Narre Warren who held second spot prior to that game and were breathing down their necks, only six shots in arrears.  The Lions started well and with the first quqrter of the game completed, held a lead of 24 shots to 12 and had three rinks up.  Vince Bevilacqua’s rink, in particular, had bolted to a big early lead which was just as well as by the half way mark when Vince’s score was 18 shots to four, the other three rinks were down and the overall lead had been reduced to five shots.

During the five ends after the break, all four of Pakenham’s rinks outscored their opponents – Vince’s rink in particular went on a rampage, scoring 11 shots to nil over that period.  Adrian “ATrain” Wheelan’s rink of Rick Burns (3), Derek Fenn (2) and Wayne Oosthuizen, which had been struggling, also broke the shackles, picking up 13 shots over six ends to take an 18 to 14 lead.  Both front running rinks continued to outscore their opponents in the run home to guide the Lions to a 91 to 66 win, collecting 14 Pennant points in the process.

The better of the two winning rinks with a final score of 38 points to nine was Vince Bevilacqua (S), Allister Stewart (3), Alan Waterson (2) and Ian McKenzie (L)

The Threes are now clear ladder leaders, 16 points ahead of Narre Warren with Monbulk another two points further adrift.  They are to play away at Willow Lodge (fifth) next round.

For once Pakenham Four (Div 7) was in a position to field a full side – that was the good news.  The bad news was that they were to line up against the undefeated ladder leaders Berwick, at Berwick.

Unfortunately for the visitors, Berwick put their home ground advantage to great effect and with three rinks up, had built a 20 shot lead by the completion of the first twenty ends.   From that point forward, the situation became bleaker and bleaker as the “Wickers” piled on the pressure and continued to add to the score.  In the end, the Lions were simply outclassed and went down by 48 shots.

However despite the obvious big loss there were a couple of positives to come out of the game.  In the first place, John Tarr’s rink of Roger Platt (3), Gillian Harper (2) and Frank Grant (L) held their own all afternoon and were rarely headed, finishing with a winning score of 20 shots to 15.  In addition Reg “Wombat” Mattingly’s rink of Helen Wright (3), Ryan “Grill” McGrill (2) and Jan Stevenson (L) looked like being on the end of a hiding when 10 shots to one down after the first five ends – however they fought out the rest of the game, eventually losing by 12 shots.

The entire fourth side has displayed amazing spirit – apart from a couple of near losses (which, had they been at full strength probably would have been wins) they have generally had to play under extremely difficult circumstances and have been on the end of some absolute beltings but they continue to turn up week after week to try again – well done!

Now seventh on the ladder, the Fours have their best chance of a win next round, at home against Carrum (eighth) in what will be the battle of the cellar dwellers – hopefully the numbers will be available so that they will be at full strength.

HI-LO

The winner for this round was not Keith Lewis.  Just for a change, it was Peter Wilson with number eight.

Des Leigh