PAKENHAM BOWLS
Weekend Pennant competition resumed on Saturday following the Christmas break while play in Midweek Pennant was due to kick off on Tuesday 17 January.
Despite the predicted heatwave, Pakenham One (Div 1) chose to play its round-11 game against the Whittlesea Eagles in the blazing sun on the uncovered Crowley Green.
Although, as a concession to the expected conditions, arrangements were made for play to commence at 10:30am instead of the usual 1:00pm in order to avoid the worst of the heat.
In the twenty odd years since Pakenham left West Gippsland to join the Metropolitan competition, these two sides had never previously been in the same section.
Consequently, as their round two game had been washed out, their meeting last Saturday was a first.
As the two sides went about sizing one another up, the game was relatively quiet and subdued for an encounter at Division One level; however it was the Lions who grabbed the early ascendency, to be up by 23 shots to 13 with three rinks in front at the completion of the first twenty ends.
The next twenty ends were something of an arm wrestle with neither side gaining any clear advantage; however, at the half way mark the locals still had three rinks up although their lead had only grown to 11 shots.
At about that stage the Eagles began to have some minor success and, sensing that the game might have turned in their favour, were suddenly up and about and very noisy.
By the start of the business ends there were worrying signs for Pakenham; although they still had three rinks in front, their overall lead had, by then, been cut to just five shots.
In the run home however, the Lions really applied the screws and eventually won by 87 shots to 68 (the biggest margin of the game) and collected 16 valuable Pennant points.
The best of three winning rinks with 24 shots to 15 was Geoff ‘Voota’ Van Vugt (S), Chris ‘Foxy’ Fox (3), Max Mannik (2) and Ross ‘Rossco’ Pitama (L).
Now in sixth spot, the Ones continue to claw their way up the ladder but they have a tough assignment next week, away against second-placed Heathmont.
Heathmont will be confident, having knocked off clear ladder leaders Flemington Kensington in the last round before Christmas.
Pakenham Two (Div 4) sensibly played their game against Hampton Park under the cover of the dome and they also arranged an early start.
This game, however, was totally unlike the battle involving the Ones as these Lions simply bolted out of the blocks and didn’t look back for the entire match.
Their lead after the first twenty ends was 43 shots to six and that had grown to 75 to 23 by the half way mark.
By the start of the business ends the scoreboard was showing 108 to 32 and they coasted home from there to finish at 122 to 49 with all rinks in front.
Best rink with 34 shots to eight was Jen ‘Chookle’ Bainbridge (S), Jim Williams (3), Keith ‘Golden Arm’ Archer (2) and Peter Bott (L).
The Twos remain on top of the ladder, now 30 points ahead of Berwick, second.
They are to play Berwick, away, next round and also play the sides currently sitting at third and fourth before the end of the season, including another away game.
Pakenham Three (Div 6) also looking for a 10:30am start, got away early for their trip to Monbulk.
Although playing on foreign turf, the Threes hit the ground running and after the first twenty ends had three rinks up and a lead of 22 shots to 12.
By the half way mark that lead had blown out to 58 to 28 and at that stage the Lions had all four rinks in front.
By the start of the business ends the lead had been further extended, with the score at 83 to 39.
During the final ends of the game one of the local rinks staged a spirited fightback but the Lions still won by 102 shots to 62 with three winning rinks.
Best rink with 34 shots to 11 was Vince Bevilacqua (S), Alister Stewart (3), Gary ‘Crow’ Crowley (2) and Gillian Harper (L).
The Threes retained top spot on the ladder, 16 points ahead of Narre Warren and now 48 clear of Monbulk.
They have a home game against Upwey-Tecoma (eighth) in round-11 but will be away at Narre Warren for the penultimate round of the season.
For once, Pakenham Four had the numbers to field a full side – unfortunately however, their opponents, Burden Park, forfeited.
The Fours therefore collected the maximum 18 Pennant points which elevated them to sixth spot.
They are to play Edithvale (fourth) away, next round.
It was gratifying to see that, despite the heat, most of the Fours turned out to play a practice match.
HI-LO
The first winner for 2023 was Jan Moore with number 46.
-Des Leigh-
