Pennant Season 2019-2020 Round 5

PAKENHAM BOWLS CLUB – ROUND FIVE – 2019/20 PENNANT

With the completion of the first five rounds of Midweek and Weekend Pennant competition, the respective ladders should, by now, have started to take some meaningful shape – however despite threats of penalties by Bowls Victoria, their new on-line self reporting system is still not operating properly and some of the published ladders are misleading (and in a number of cases, with some clubs shown as having played five games and others only three, completely pointless).  Your writer may be forced to refresh his Excel skills and calculate his own ladders.

SATURDAY

In a game which they should have won, it was a case of, “close – but no cigar,” for Pakenham’s Division one side last Saturday.  Playing in conditions which resulted in washouts for much of the Weekend Pennant competition, they engaged in an absolute arm wrestle with the visitors from Warburton and at no stage, even up to the final end on the last rink did either side ever (comfortably) hold the upper hand.  However it was the “Burras” who had their noses in front at the important milestones, including the commencement of the business ends, (17 to 21) where they held a one shot advantage.

At the completion of play, despite getting two rinks up and drawing a third, the Lions fell short by four shots – however the five Pennant points gained may prove crucial come finals time.  Best of the two winning rinks with 20/19 and 10 ends (as stated, it was a very close game) was Chris Fox (S), Keith (Golden Arm) Archer (3), Brian Norton (2) and Terry Sullivan (L).  Weather permitting, (looks like a wet week) the Ones will play on the grass at Mulgrave Country Club next round.

All of Pakenham’s other Saturday matches were washed out.  In round six Pakenham Two (Div 2) are scheduled to play top of the ladder Cranbourne One at home, the Threes (Div 4) are due to meet Berwick Five (also at home) and the Fours (Div 5) are due to play Narre Warren Three away.

MIDWEEK

Pakenham One (Div 1) lost a close game at home to ladder leaders Clayton One, by just two shots.  The Lions were close behind the Cobras for most of the game and with five ends to play on each rink they briefly managed to hit the front (by a single shot) and looked likely to snatch victory; however the visitors proved that little bit stronger over the business ends and scraped home with a 50/52 win.  Best of Pakenham’s rinks was Gary (Crow) Crowley (S), Jim Williams (3), (Stormin’) Norm Box (2) and Val Moore (L) with an 18/14 score card.  Now in eighth spot (this ladder is up to date), they are listed to play Armadale One (second) in round six.

Pakenham Two (Div 2) were not nearly as competitive as the Ones.  They lagged behind from early in their match at Burden Park and by the half way mark were down by 19 shots.  With 15 ends (in total) to go they had reduced that deficit to 13 shots and were looking good, however dropping multiples on two of the rinks over the run home did nothing for their cause and they eventually lost by 26 shots, 48/74.  The one winning rink with a score of 22/15 was Jim Barrie (S), John Tarr (3), Luis Aguilar (2) and Jan Moore (L) – they led their opponents for all but three of the 21 ends.  The Twos (seventh) have a tough assignment against The Dandenong Club (first) at home next round.

There was a pleasing and consistent pattern to the good home win by Pakenham Three (Div 4) over Willow Lodge One – the Lions’ rinks won by 14, 13 and 12 shots respectively.  Although one rink briefly dropped behind in the mid stages of the game (and then powered home, winning five ends on the trot and scoring 13 to nil in the process), the Lions were never seriously challenged and at 80/41 almost doubled the visitors’ final score.  Best rink with 25/11 was Peter Powney (S), Ray Leggett (3), Vince Bevilaqua (2) and Helen Wright (L).  They play Narre Warren Two, away next round (6th v 5th).

The Six-A-Side Pakenham Four were on the grass at Clayton where due to a big score on one rink and a very close finish on the other, they secured an extremely satisfying away win.  The Lions appeared to hold the upper hand from the opening stages of that game and converted an 11 shot lead at the half way mark to a comfortable 23 shot win by the end of play.  Best rink with an outstanding score of 34/10 was John Hickman (S), Faye Osborne (3) and Lavinia Moss (L).   They play Burden Park at home in round six (that would appear to be 7th v 6th – however the ladder is not up to date)

Note that due to the Melbourne Cup holiday, there were no Midweek Pennant matches scheduled for Tuesday 5 November.

HI-LO

Ave Jones with number four was the winner for round five.  Talk about keeping it in the family – Peter Jones collected in round four!  Perhaps they will shout each other to lunch?

Des Leigh