WEEKEND PENNANT ROUND 8 – SEASON 2023/24
SATURDAY
For the second Saturday in a row, play in the Weekend Pennant competition was severely disrupted by persistent rain. In First Division however, only one game in Pakenham’s section was washed out and under the cover of the Paky Dome, the top side was able not only to complete their game against Mulgrave Country Club but also to pick up a much needed win against a side three rungs above them on the ladder.
Thanks mainly to healthy opening scores from “Nifty” Nev Brown and Tommy Lodge’s rinks, the Lions jumped away to an early lead in that game and by the completion of the first twenty ends the main scoreboard was showing 25 to 13 and Pakenham had three rinks up. The home side continued to apply the pressure and despite one rink fighting a losing struggle, by the half way mark the other three had all but doubled their opponents’ score to extend the lead to 53 to 28. After the break the Lions faced increased pressure which saw one of their front running rinks drop behind (by a shot) but the overall lead was more or less maintained and they arrived at the start of the business ends with a buffer of 21 shots.
They then outscored the visitors in the run home to finish with two up and one drawn and a final score of 85 shots to 61 – the 15 Pennant points collected lifted them from seventh to sixth on the ladder, ironically still one point behind Mulgrave and two behind Cranbourne but ahead of both on percentage.
Best rink with an outstanding score of 32 shots to 11 was Tommy Lodge (S), Neil “Big Dev” Devlin (3), Gian “The Doctor” Pianezzola (2) and Darren Webster (L). The Ones will be away at Keysborough (third) for the last round before the Christmas break.
Fifth placed Pakenham Two (Div 3) were up against it, tackling ladder leaders Mulgrave Country Club on their own, very wet, grass deck – however it seemed that the Lions were up to the task. At the completion of the first twenty ends, Pakenham had three rinks in front and led by 22 shots to 14. Despite grumblings from some quarters, the game continued in light but persistent rain until the afternoon tea break at which time the visitors had two rinks in front and still held a seven point lead.
After the break, the rain increased slightly in intensity and appeared to be setting in while the BoM radar weather map was predominantly deep blue with patches of yellow and red. To the obvious relief of many players on both sides the team managers then agreed that play should be abandoned and the game resulted in a draw. At that point 46 ends had been played – perhaps if the break had not been taken, there may have been sufficient ends played to constitute a game and there would have been a result. However hindsight is a wonderful thing and in any case it was unlikely that the host club would have agreed to play through.
One man who would have loved to play on was Terry “TMac” McRedmond, who was having his first outing as a Div Three skipper. After only 11 ends, his rink of Paul Currie (3), Ash Graham (2) and Lindsay Stevenson (L) was leading by 20 shots to three!
The Twos might claim a moral victory but that does not earn Pennant points and as all games in their section were washed out, the ladder was not altered and they remained in fifth spot, five points behind Narre Warren and six behind Berwick. They will host Parkdale in round nine.
Pakenham Three did not even get started which was unfortunate as on paper at least, they might have expected a win from their game at Hampton Park (2 v 8) – however nothing is ever guaranteed. There were two games completed in their section – Mulgrave consolidated its place on top of the ladder, picking up 16 points at the expense of Keysborough, while Berwick collected 14 from their clash with Narre Warren.
Nevertheless, the Threes retained second spot on the ladder, only one point ahead of Burden Park with Berwick drawing closer but still nine points in arrears. They will be away at Keysborough (sixth) next round.
Pakenham Four (Div 7) fortunately received early notification that Churchill Waverley Golf was washed out, which saved them an unnecessary trip. Although there were no games played in their section, the Dandenong Club and Keysborough each picked up maximum points as both Mulgrave Six and Mulgrave Seven forfeited. However that made no difference to Pakenham’s position on the ladder as the two clubs which benefited already held first and second spots.
The Fours have a tough assignment against the Dandenong Club at home next round.
MIDWEEK
With a lead of 21 shots to four after the first fifteen ends of their game against the visiting Pakenham One last Tuesday, Cheltenham were in the box seat and looking for a big. However despite the initial shock, the Lions were not about to roll over and make it easy for them and they set about trying to repair the damage.
By the time of the lunch break, the visitors had regained considerable credibility and had made some inroads into the score but were still three down and 14 shots behind. A strong surge after the break and leading up to the start of the business ends then brought the Lions to within four shots and at that stage Foxy’s rink had its nose in front by two shots. Despite that glimmer of hope however, it was not to be and at 53 to 62 Pakenham went down by nine shots and collected only one Pennant point.
Pakenham’s best rink, with a 20 all draw, was Neil “Big Dev” Devlin (S), Ned Courtin (3), “Stormin” Norm Box (2) and Paul Currie (L). The Ones finished the first half of the season in fifth spot, six points behind Burden Park and (ironically) still 11 clear of Cheltenham. They will be home to Mulgrave (seventh) in round eight.
Pakenham Two were at home to Carrum One for what has generally proven to be a close encounter. On this occasion the Lions were the early front runners and at 15 ends had two up, one all square and a lead of 19 shots to 10. By lunch time the locals were well in control with all three rinks up and the lead had grown to 40 shots to 23.
However after the break, the visitors got hold of one Pakenham rink, outscoring it by 15 shots to five over the second half of the game. Nevertheless the Lions proved too strong overall and finished the game with two rinks up and a 10 shot lead.
Best rink, with 25 to 13 was Keith Lewis (S), Jim Williams (3), Luis Aguilar (2) and Gayle Harkness (L). The Twos are on top of the ladder, two points clear of Cardinia Waters (One) and four ahead of Noble Park (One). They will be away to Keysborough Three (sixth) next round.
Pakenham Three (Div 5) shared the dome with the Twos for their encounter with cross–town rivals, Cardinia Waters (Two). Despite a promising start by the Lions, that game went right down to the wire.
After fifteen ends Pakenham had two rinks up and led by 14 shots to eight – not exactly a cricket score but encouraging, nonetheless. From that point until the lunch break, neither side could gain an advantage and at that stage, with the score at 31 to 24, the Lions’ had only increased their lead by one shot with one up, one down and one all square.
At the start of the business ends the situation was still one up, one down and one even but with the score at 51 to 36, Pakenham looked a little more secure. However the visitors really applied the pressure in the run home and the Lions finished with one up, two down and a winning margin of just four shots.
Pakenham’s only winning rink with 34 to 18 was Eric Peterson (S), Vince Bevilacqua (3), Gillian Harper (2) and Frank Grant (L).
The Threes finished the first half of the season on top of the ladder, 17 points (more than a round) clear of Narre Warren and a round and a half in front of Mt Waverley. They will play Berwick (fifth) away next round.
HI-LO
As Pakenham One was the only side to register a result on Saturday, the winning number was 24, their winning margin – congratulations, Val Moore.