Pennant Report Round 2 Season 2020/2021

SATURDAY

Pakenham’s Div 1 side all chipped in to hire a bus, with Dave Wood as double zero driver, for their trip to Parkdale where it was well known that parking was extremely limited (ironic – no parking at Parkdale!).  Their opponents on the other hand were largely an unknown quantity, even though some of their members were recognised imports from strong clubs such as Mentone and Clayton.

The game began in blustery and overcast conditions which worsened as the day progressed.  The home side were up and about and took the early advantage and had tripled Pakenham’s score after the completion of the first 20 ends overall.  Even by the half way mark, with the Lions putting up more of a fight, Pakenham’s total score was still little more than half that of the Parkers and with one rink really struggling, they were up against it.  By the start of the business ends two Pakenham rinks had their noses in front and in the run home the Lions outscored their opponents across the board – however it was too little too late and with two up and two down, Pakenham lost overall by 17 shots, 82/99.

The best of Pakenham’s winning rinks with 25/19 was Geoff (Voota) Van Vugt (S), Glenn (Google) Bainbridge (3), Dave Wood (2), and Peter (Hacksaw) Bott (L).  Although listed as a home game, the One’s round three opponent will be away at Mordialloc.

Pakenham Two (Div 3) had a tight game at home against cross-town rivals Cardinia Waters (almost half that team were former Pakenham members, which added to the rivalry).  Although they were made to earn it, the home side were in front at all of the important milestones and with three rinks up and a score of 75/71 ran out winners by four shots and collected 16 of the available 18 Pennant points – all in all, a good day at the office.  Best rink with 22/15 was Brian Norton (S), Bill Bosch (3), Kevin Holly (2) and the “Wildman”, Graeme Wilde (L).  Their next game will be away against the old enemy, Berwick.

Pakenham Three (Div 4) headed into the hills to renew an old rivalry against Cockatoo; although it is likely that many players from both sides would have had no memory of the last time the two clubs met as they would not at that stage have been members of the bowling community.  After the first few ends it was Pakenham which held the early lead but the home side soon gained the ascendency and unfortunately, despite three of the Lions’ rinks being close all afternoon, they were unable to cover the fourth which was badly mauled.  That pattern continued for the rest of the match and despite winning on two rinks, the visitors eventually lost 66/94.  Best rink with 22/19 was Roger Platt (S), David Moore (3), Adrian (ATrain) Wheelan (2) and Helen Wright (L).  The Three’s will host Cranbourne in round three.

It was an early start for the Six-A-Side Pakenham Four who travelled to Hampton for round two of the morning (Spring) competition; however given the conditions it is unlikely that they had to kick any dew off the green.  Hampton utilised their home ground advantage to grab an early lead which in this shortened (15 end) version of the game made them difficult to catch.  The Lions fought hard and came home with a wet sail, outscoring their opponents by 13 shots to four in the final stages of the game – unfortunately however, they ran out of ends and were narrowly beaten, 25/28.

The best rink, losing by just one shot, 14/15, was John Hickman (S), John Barlow (2) and Gail Wilcock (L).  Next game is at home against ladder leaders, Willow Lodge.

MIDWEEK

Pakenham One (Div 2) were away at Hampton Park for what, in previous seasons, has been a tough assignment.  As expected, the home side got away to an early lead and after the first 15 ends only Paul Currie’s rink was ahead of its rival and then by a solitary shot.  However, the Lions then slipped into top gear right across the board and by the half way mark had established an 18 shot lead, with two rinks well ahead and the other down by just one shot.  By the start of the business ends, two rinks had more than doubled their opponents’ score and the third (Keith Archer’s) had just got its nose in front.  To some extent, the front runners then took the foot off the gas and coasted home, while the “Golden Arm” and his crew fought it out to the end to prevail by two shots and ensured that the Lions collected maximum points.

Best rink in the overall 69/43 win with 25/13 and 13 ends was Paul Currie (S), Gary (Crow) Crowley (3), (Stormin’) Norm Box (2) and Graeme (Wildman) Wilde (L).  Round two is due to be played at home against Edithvale, also a winner in round one.

With more than half the game completed, Pakenham Two (Div 3) were well on the way to a big home win against Berwick when the skies opened up and an overall lead of 41/20 ended in a wet and sodden draw.  None of the other matches in the section were washed out so by sharing the points, Pakenham and Berwick were both left in the middle of the ladder, ahead of the round losers.  However the Lions might justifiably have felt robbed (if only the roof had been completed!).  Round two will be away at Cranbourne RSL.

Whereas the Two’s may have felt robbed by the washout, it may have saved Pakenham Three’s bacon.  Although there was still time for a comeback, with 39 of 63 ends completed they were down 24/44 to Keysborough when the game was called off – and one rink was copping a hiding.  Round two will be away at Churchill Waverley Golf, a round one loser.

HI-LO

The winning number for round two was 44.  However this was one of three numbers which was not sold – the prize will therefore jackpot to round three.

 

Des Leigh