WEEKEND PENNANT ROUND 12 – SEASON 2023/24
SATURDAY
Pakenham’s Div 1 side should be swabbed – after knocking off the ladder leaders in round 11, they were brought crashing back to earth last Saturday with a loss to the bottom side, Berwick.
There was no indication early in that game of what was to come – after the first twenty ends the Lions had one rink in front and one all square but overall there was a difference of only one shot. However by the half way mark, Pakenham had only one rink up (by a single shot) and the overall deficit had grown to 11 shots – not good but still manageable.
As the game approached its business ends, the Lions had their noses in front on two rinks but were being badly mauled on one of the others and the Wickers’ overall lead had grown to 17 shots. The rink which was struggling then regrouped to match its opponent in the run home but the other, which had kept its rival within reach, suffered a total melt down over the last five ends. Despite finishing with two rinks up, Pakenham lost overall by 61 shots to 85.
Best rink with 21 to 15 was Tommy Lodge (S), Daniel Carroll (3), Ned Courtin (2), and David Saint (L).
The Ones have dropped to sixth spot on the ladder, one point behind Cranbourne and ahead of Clayton by percentage only. They will host Cranbourne next Saturday for the penultimate round of the home and away season.
After two weeks on the road, Pakenham Two (Div 3) were at home on Saturday to Narre Warren, a side which they had beaten by just three shots in round five – another tough game was expected and that was exactly what was served up.
After the first twenty ends both sides had two rinks in front but it was the locals who held a 19 to 16 shot advantage. By afternoon tea however, the visitors had turned the tables to establish a seven shot lead, although the situation was still two up and two down at that stage. After the break, with a spirited address by “Stormin” Norm Box ringing in their ears, the Lions took to the field with renewed energy but by the start of the run home they had only managed to reduce the deficit by one shot and at that stage were down on three of the four rinks. It was an all in battle over the last twenty ends with the Lions drawing within one shot on two occasions but it was the Panthers, with two up and one drawn, who eventually took the spoils with a tight, four shot, 81 to 77 win.
Pakenham’s only winning rink with 24 to 15 was Keith Lewis (S), Paul Currie (3), Des “Grizzly” Leigh (2) and Luis Aguilar (L). The Twos have dropped to sixth on the ladder, three points behind Berwick and Cheltenham (separated only by percentage) and one ahead of Beaumaris. With only four points between fourth and seventh, they are still a chance for the four – their next game will be away at Berwick.
Pakenham Three (Div 5) were also at home on Saturday where they proudly flew the Lions banner, getting all four rinks up in a crushing win over Noble Park.
Pakenham’s players hit the ground running in that game and after just twenty ends, with the score at 39 shots to five, had the visitors shell shocked. Their score included an elusive eight, picked up by Bill Bosch, Rick Burns, Maree Taylor and Wayne Oosthuizen. Although the Bulls had managed to get a few shots on the board by the half way mark, the score had blown out to 70 to 22 by that stage and the Lions were cruising.
After the break, the visitors dug deep and over the next 24 ends managed to double their score but by the start of the business ends, with the score at 89 to 48, they were still well behind. The Lions put the boot in again in the run home, winning by 112 shots to 60 and collecting maximum Pennant points.
Pakenham’s best rink with 33 shots to 12 was Charles Harris (S), Ken Clifton (3), Ray Leggett (2) and Trent Bedford (L). The Threes are still in second position on the ladder- however they must continue to win as Burden Park and Narre Warren still threaten, behind by just nine and 11 points respectively.
The major upset this round was Mulgrave Country Club being thrashed at home by Burden Park – however Mulgrave still sits comfortably on top of the ladder, almost two full rounds clear of Pakenham. The Lions will host Narre next round and play Mulgrave away in round 14.
After their huge win last round, Pakenham Four (Div 7) faced their game at Mulgrave Country Club with renewed confidence. However they were up against it almost from the outset as Ray Illing experienced a medical episode and was taken to hospital shortly after play commenced, leaving the team one member and approximately 38 bowls short. Ray is one of nature’s true gentlemen and a pretty handy bowler – I know that I am joined by all members of the club in wishing him a speedy recovery.
Despite the early disruption and concern for their team mate, the Lions got away to a good start and led by 21 shots to 13 with three rinks up after the first twenty ends. However by the half way mark the situation had been reversed and it was the locals with three rinks up and a four shot lead. Once given a taste of the lead, Mulgrave wanted more and they continued to build on their score, eventually putting together a comprehensive 87 to 59 shot win with three rinks up.
Pakenham’s only winning rink, with 16 shots to 13 was Dave Wood (S), Gary “Crow” Crowley (3), Gayle Harkness (2) and Karen Oosthuizen (L).
Despite the loss, the Fours still cling to the fourth rung of the ladder with Churchill Waverley Golf, Mulgrave Six and Cranbourne RSL breathing down their necks. Their Next opponent will be Narre Warren at Narre.
MIDWEEK
Pakenham One (Div 1) second on the ladder, were home to Moorabbin, eighth, for a game which, for the most part, went according to expectations. With two rinks up and the third all square, the Lions had established a 24 shot to 16 lead at the completion of the first fifteen ends. By about lunch time it was still two up and one level but Pakenham had not, at that stage, been able to build on its lead which remained at eight shots.
After the break however, the Lions put the foot down and by the start of the business ends were in front on all three rinks and held a lead of 59 shots to 36. That pressure was maintained in the run home with Pakenham outscoring the Thunder by 30 shots to four over the last fifteen ends to bag a big 89 to 40 win, collecting maximum points in the process.
Pakenham’s best rink with 36 shots to 13 was Glenn “Google” Bainbridge (S), Terry “TMac” McRedmond (3), Peter Bott (2) and Lynne Smith (L). The Ones are still in second spot, nine points ahead of Berwick and 20 behind Clayton. Their round 12 opponent will be Berwick, away.
Pakenham Two (Div 3) top of the ladder, were away at Noble Park, fourth. The locals gave the visitors a run for their money in the early stages of that game and after fifteen ends each side had one up, one down and one level with Pakenham in front by a single shot. However from that point forward, the Lions began to demonstrate why they hold top spot on the ladder and by lunch time had all three rinks up and an overall lead of 39 shots to 20.
Pakenham continued to apply that pressure after the break and by the start of the home run had established a 30 shot lead which they continued to build on, finishing the day with all rinks up and a dominant final score of 80 shots to 39. Best rink with 28 to 13 was Paul Currie (S), Vince Bevilacqua (3), Ken Clifton (2) and Judith Ferrari (L).
The Twos sit on top of the ladder, 12 points ahead of Cardinia Waters and 33 (more than two rounds) in front of Cranbourne. They will host Cranbourne next round.
Pakenham Three (Div 5) got away to a slow start at Mt Waverley and were 10 shots to 15 down after the first fifteen ends, although they had two rinks up at that stage. From that point forward there were big swings in both directions throughout the day; e.g. the Pakenham rink which had failed to score during the first five ends picked up nine to three over the next five and a Pakenham rink which had been travelling well all day dropped the last six in a row to scrape in by two shots.
All in all, it was a far from convincing win. However, “a win is a win” and although it was only by five shots, with two rinks up, the Lions came home with 14 of the available 16 Pennant points and still have a firm grip on the top rung of the ladder, 33 points (just over two rounds) ahead of Narre Warren and 46 (nearly three rounds) clear of Cardinia Waters.
Best rink with 23 to 15 was Bill Bosch (S), Mick Knight (3), Wayne Oosthuizen (2) and Graham Cooper (L). The Threes will be home to Narre Warren next round.
HI-LO
The round 12 winner was Gian Pianezzola with number four.
Des Leigh
So far this season, Pakenham One (Div 1) have elected to play their home games out in the elements on the fast(er) Crowley Green in the belief that it may have provided a small home ground advantage. Last Saturday however, that strategy was changed and they met clear ladder leaders Cheltenham One under the cover of the Paky Dome.
The Lions got away to a good start in that game and after the first twenty ends, with two up and one level, had 21 shots to 11 on the big scoreboard. From that point forward, the game developed into something of an arm wrestle and by the half way mark both sides had two up and Pakenham’s lead had been cut to just six shots.
As the game progressed towards the business ends it was still neck and neck. With twenty ends to go and the end in sight, the Lions had their noses in front on three of the four rinks but were far from comfortable as their overall lead had only marginally improved to seven shots. However they kept the pressure up in the run home to finish with three rinks up and at 83 shots to 71 won by 12 shots – a very good result against the top side.
Best rink with 21 to 14 was Chris “Foxy” Fox (S), Glenn “Google” Bainbridge (3), Geoff “Voota” Van Vugt (2) and Peter Bott (L).
The win elevated the Ones to the fifth rung of the ladder, only three points behind Mulgrave but in turn, only three ahead of Clayton. Pakenham will be away to Berwick (eighth) next round while Clayton will be away at Cheltenham – hopefully the Cockies will be seeking redemption after being knocked off by the Lions.
There can be no excuses for what happened to Pakenham Two (Div 3) at Cheltenham on Saturday. To be generous, they were out bowled by a side which was simply hungrier for the win but realistically, it was an abject and humiliating capitulation – and it had nothing to do with the conditions as players were presented with a beautifully prepared Tifdwarf surface and the weather was ideal.
The host side (bottom of the ladder) were up and about from the outset and had established a 25 shot to 14 lead after the completion of the first twenty ends, although at that stage both teams had two up and two down. At the midway point it was still two up and two down but by then the deficit had been reduced to just five shots – however one of Pakenham’s rinks was copping a hiding.
After lunch the rink which was being flogged staged a minor fight back but by the time the game reached the business ends it was still well behind and the Cockies were making inroads into the good leads on both the Lions’ front running rinks. Cheltenham then outscored Pakenham across the board in the run home to finish with three rinks up and a comprehensive 91 to 63 win.
Pakenham’s only winning rink, scraping in with 18 to 15, was Keith Lewis (S), Jim Williams (3) Des “Grizzly” Leigh (2) and Luis Aguilar (L).
Fortunately, the Twos retained fifth spot on the ladder, four points behind Berwick but are ahead of Beaumaris by percentage only. They will be home to Narre Warren (second) next round. Both Berwick and Beaumaris have (potentially) hard away games – however as was demonstrated to Pakenham on Saturday, there are no easy games.
Pakenham Three (Div 5) were also away but only down the road at Berwick. Their game started much as might have been expected and by the completion of the first quarter of the game they had three rinks up and a slender four shot lead. At the half way mark, despite dropping back to two up and two down, that lead had grown to 15 shots, mainly due to Allister Stewart’s rink picking up 10 ends in a row (although they were mainly singles).
At the start of the run home it was still two up and two down but by that stage the Lions’ lead had increased to 21 shots and they coasted to a 24 shot, 88 to 64 win with three rinks in front. The best of Pakenham’s rinks with 23 shots to 11 was Allister Stewart (S), Mick Knight (3), Gail Bowman (2) and Ian McKenzie (L).
The Threes are still second on the ladder behind Mulgrave which is out of sight in top spot. Burden Park and Narre Warren are in third and fourth spots, behind by seven and nine points respectively. The Threes will be home to Noble Park (seventh) next round.
Pakenham Four (Div 7) have struggled at times this season but with a thumping win on Saturday they finally pushed their way back into the four. The outcome (if not the magnitude) of their win at home against Cranbourne RSL One was predictable from very early in the game – after the completion of just twenty ends they had all four rinks up and an imposing lead of 26 shots to six. By the half way mark that score had grown to 56 to 16 and then 90 to 33 by the start of the business ends.
There is no mercy rule in bowls so the carnage continued until the final outcome – four rinks up and a score of 112 shots to 48. That is not a score that one would wish to see on a regular basis but one which is happily accepted on the rare occasion that it comes along. One must feel for the hapless and depleted RSL, apparently a shadow of its former self.
The Fours are now 15 points behind Narre Warren (third) and six in front of the RSL (fifth). Their next outing is away against Mulgrave Country Club Six (seventh).
MIDWEEK
Pakenham One (Div 1) did not expect ladder leaders Clayton One to get the jump on them at home last Tuesday but that is precisely what happened – after fifteen ends the Lions found themselves down on all three rinks and trailing by six shots to 19 overall. However, with the whole team in damage control, the deficit was reduced to single digits by lunch time and by then “Foxy’s” rink had its nose in front.
By the start of the business ends, after having briefly blown out to 13, the shortfall was reduced to just five shots but two rinks were still lagging behind and “Foxys” opponent had levelled the score on their rink to 15 all. Somebody then apparently found and tapped the “Go” button – in what would be a coach’s dream, all three Lions’ rinks came storming home, outscoring their opponents by 10 to two, eight to one and eight to two respectively to snatch victory, collecting maximum Pennant points in the process.
Best rink with 24 to 17 and 13 ends was Neil “Big Dev” Devlin (S), Keith Lewis (3), Ned Courtin (2) and Kerry Lewis (L).
Despite the win, Pakenham is still in second spot with Berwick only five points behind. They are at home again next round to Moorabbin (eighth).
Pakenham Two (Div 3) continued that winning feeling with a good result at Willow Lodge. Unlike the Ones however, they stamped their authority on the game from the outset and never at any stage gave their hosts as much as a sniff.
With fifteen ends completed the Lions were up on all rinks and led by 19 shots to eight. They continued to build on that lead as the game progressed – by the half way mark it was 37 to 22 and by the start of the run home it was 57 to 30 with all three rinks comfortably in front. The final score was 71 shots to 39. Best rink with 26 to 10 was Keith “Golden Arm” Archer (S), Darren Webster (3), Maree Taylor (2) and Lynne Smith (L).
The Twos retain top spot, with Cardinia Waters, which also had a good win, still 10 points behind. They will be away again next round at Noble Park (fourth).
Pakenham Three (Div 5) were away at Burden Park where they played a game which they never looked likely to lose, despite two rinks having to battle all day.
After the first 15 ends Pakenham had three rinks up and led by 18 shots to seven but on two of those rinks the lead was just one shot each. By the mid way mark, with the score at 37 to 15 the Lions had more than doubled the Dragons’ tally but that was still due to the complete domination by Eric Peterson’s rink. By the start of the run home, one of Pakenham’s rinks had dropped behind by six shots but the Lions still held an overall lead of 47 shots to 31. It would appear that the Lions may have taken the foot off the collective pedal on the home straight but they still finished with two up and a score of 61 shots to 46.
Best rink with 30 to 14 was Eric Peterson (S), Rick Burns (3), Gary “Crow” Crowley (2) and Wayne Oosthuizen (L). This was the start of a big week for Eric who also had a huge win on the Saturday.
The Threes still hold top spot on the ladder, 35 points (more than two rounds) clear of Narre Warren. They will be away again next round at Mt Waverley (third).
HI-LO
The winner for round 11 was Ray Illing with number 22.
Des Leigh