Round 6 Pennant Report 2018/19

PAKENHAM BOWLS CLUB – 2018/19 SEASON – PENNANT REPORT – ROUND SIX

SATURDAY

After a wonderful win against the high flying Heathmont in the previous round, Pakenham One (Div 1) came to earth with a thud at Ferntree Gully last Saturday.  The signs were encouraging early in this game and by the half way mark the Lions had two rinks up and one level and were holding the slimmest of leads – a single shot.  Then came disaster – the afternoon tea provided by their hosts was delicious but it apparently had the effect of causing some of the Pakenham players to forget their sense of purpose – they dropped off to sleep in the second half and were overcome by their more determined opponents and lost the game, 59 shots to 87.  Hence all of the gains of the previous week disappeared and they dropped back to eighth on the ladder.  The Ones must regroup and put up a better show at home next round against Ringwood on 24 November.

Note that to avoid any clashes with the Victorian Open which commences on Friday 16 November and continues through to Friday 23 November, there will not be any Pennant played on Saturday 17 November or Tuesday 20 November.

In marked contrast to the efforts of the more senior side, Pakenham Two (Div 2) set about the demolition of their visitors from Mulgrave Country Club from the outset.  By the time the game reached the half way mark they had all rinks up and had established a 31 shot lead and by the cessation of hostilities that margin had grown to 52 shots (106/54) and the Twos had banked maximum Pennant points.  It has been a long time since a Pakenham side has inflicted such an overwhelming defeat on a team from the usually strong Mulgrave Country Club.

Best rink with a 28/7 score card was Keith (Lewie) Lewis (S), Glenn (Google) Bainbridge (3), Wally Noy (2) and Val Moore (L).  The Twos now occupy the fourth rung of the ladder.  Hopefully they can carry their winning momentum forward into round seven, away against Keysborough (second).

Pakenham Three (Div 3) were set an extremely difficult task this season – five of the teams in their section are the number one side from their opposing clubs and three are the number two.  It is not all that surprising therefore that they find themselves on the bottom of the ladder.  Nevertheless, they did a remarkable job last Saturday in almost pulling off an away win against Keysborough.  They were behind by 19 shots at the half way mark but clawed their way back into the game and eventually went down overall by just six shots (71/77) and with three winning rinks collected six Pennant points.  Best rink with a score of 21/13 was Terry O’Toole (S), Roger Till (3), Kevin (Digger) Goonan (2) and Ron Hawkins (L).  They will be at home to Chelsea One (fifth) next round.

Pakenham Four (Div 6) had a nail biter at Bentleigh.  Neither team seemed able to take the early ascendency but as the game progressed, the tide seemed to be going with the home side.  By the half way mark the Lions were down overall by seven shots and had only one rink in front.  What caused the greatest concern however was that one of Pakenham’s rinks was trailing 8/19 and looked likely to be belted.   Then in a remarkable second half turn around, the rink which was struggling outscored their opponents by 11/4, all the others dug deep and when the game was completed, with one rink up and one drawn and the score at 72/70, Pakenham pulled off a great two shot win.

Best rink with a score of 21/11was Jan Moore (S), Josie Mazzarella (3), Gian Pianezzola (2) and Alan Wilcock (L) – Jan’s crew seems to have a mortgage on the title of “best rink.”  The win pushed them up into fourth spot on the ladder with only six points covering the top four.  They have a bye in round seven.  Unfortunately, in this section, the bye having been created by the withdrawal of a team part way into the season, zero points are awarded for a bye so the Fours may lose fourth spot if Upwey-Tecoma defeats Berwick.

There were early indications that the “Bowls Gods” were not going to favour Pakenham Five (Div 7) in their home game against Monbulk last Saturday and with half the game completed they had one rink level and three down for an overall deficit of 16 shots.  From that point forward they matched their opponents but could not make up the arrears, eventually going down by the same margin of 16 shots (80/96).  Best rink with a 20/20 draw was Lindsay Stevenson (S), Peter Powney (3), Gail Wilcock (2) and Judith Ferrari (L).

The Fives have a bye next round but in their section will be awarded full Pennant points.  Ironically, this could see them move up the ladder without having to play a game (as happened to Narre Warren this round, moving from ninth to seventh).

MIDWEEK

Due to the Melbourne Cup holiday there were no Midweek Pennant games last week.  Round seven was scheduled for Tuesday 13 November with Pakenham One away at Clayton, Pakenham Two away at Keysborough, Pakenham Three at home to The Dandenong Club and the Six-A-Side Pakenham Four at home to Churchill Waverley Golf.  Round eight will not be played until Tuesday 27 November, due to the Victorian Open.

HI-LO

The winner this week with number four was Gian Pianezzola.

VIC OPEN

Good luck and good bowling to all Pakenham players competing in the Victorian Open.

Des Leigh