Pennant Season 2019-2020 Round13

PAKENHAM BOWLS CLUB – PENNANT ROUND 13 – 2019/20 SEASON

SATURDAY

Whether it was through the intervention of the rain gods or simply the fickle finger of fate, Saturday’s weather did not provide any favours for Pakenham’s Weekend Pennant sides – all of the Lion’s games, both home and away were washed out, yet many other games across the region were completed, including some played on grass.

A win at Croydon against the clear ladder leaders would have consolidated Pakenham One’s position at second place on the ladder.  Unfortunately, with less than half the game completed, play was abandoned as the synthetic green had become waterlogged and more rain was on the way.  At that stage, as the Lions were in front, they could obviously claim the moral victory but moral victories are not reflected on the leaderboard and the points were shared with their hosts.  Ironically, Warburton completed their game on grass at Burden Park with a win and after collecting 12 Pennant points have leapfrogged Pakenham into second place.  The Lions have the opportunity to take that spot back with a win at Warburton next round and we owe them one – they kept us out of the finals by a single shot last season.

Although it was a big task, Pakenham Two (Div 2) had the opportunity to secure a win at home against Edithvale who held third place.  Unfortunately their game was also washed out and they too had to share the points.  They now languish in ninth place but have the home ground advantage again next round against Mulgrave (fifth).

The washout of Pakenham Three’s game at Mulgrave Country Club was not unexpected; those grass greens seem to be more often rained out than some others.  In fact it would appear that the only game to have been completed in their section was the one played under the roof at Dandenong.  As was the case with the Ones, the Threes were also in front when the game was called off.  They remain in seventh position and play Cranbourne RSL (eighth) at home in round 14.

Pakenham Four also took an early mark, sharing the points with Keysborough as the consequence of yet another washout – again they were in front when play was abandoned.  They have an away game against Willow Lodge next round.

MIDWEEK

Pakenham One (Div 1) travelled to Mordialloc where they established an early but slender lead.  However the locals then began to apply the pressure and by the half way mark the Lions were down on two rinks, all square on the third and trailing overall by six shots.  It was a steady downhill slide from that point, the margin at the start of the business ends having grown to 15 shots and then to 18 shots by the end of play.  The Ones are still in eighth spot but are now only two points ahead of Carrum in ninth.  They have a home game against Keysborough (third) next round.

Pakenham Two (Div 2) simply threw one away at home against Hampton Park.  After allowing their opponents to grab an early lead they came back hard and with all rinks up were in front by 13 shots at the half way mark.  With 15 ends to go overall, that lead had been reduced to seven shots but the Lions still appeared to be in control – however the visitors wanted it more and at 63/59 ran out winners by just four shots in the end.  John (Giovanni) Donazzan (S) Peter Powney (3), Kevin (Digger) Goonan (2) and Ken Clifton (L) were Pakenham’s only winning rink.  They had a roller coaster ride – down 3/12 after five ends, up 18/16 at the half way point, down again 19/23 at the sixteenth and then winning by one shot, 25/24.  The Twos are now in ninth spot and meet Churchill Waverley Golf (tenth) in the battle of the cellar dwellers in round 13.

It was a much happier finish for Pakenham Three (Div 4) which had a win at home against Edithvale.  They established a good early lead but saw that reduced to only one shot by the half way mark.  However they put the foot down after lunch and by the start of the business ends, with two rinks up, were in front by 11 shots.   They then held on to record a 61/53 win and collected 14 Pennant points.  Best rink with 23/13 was Ray Illing (S), Eric Peterson (3), Peter McQueen (2) and John Barlow (L) – they lost a one on the first end, snatched it back on the second and were never headed from that point forward.  The Threes play Cranbourne RSL (7 v 6) away, next round.

The Six-A-Side Pakenham Four also let one get away at Narre Warren.   They were ahead at all the important milestones only to be run down in the home straight to lose by six shots, 32/38.   Best rink with a 17 all draw was John Hickman (S), Graham Epps (2) and Judith Ferrari (L).  They face Willow Lodge (third) at home next round.

 

HI-LO

With no result from any of the Saturday games, the HI-LO will jackpot to next week.

 

Des Leigh (Grizzly)