CARDINIA WATERS BOWLS
Midweek Pennant
Cardinia Waters had a mixed result from their two Tuesday games last week.
Both games were played in oppressive conditions, and although the maximum temperature never got near the heat-out enforcement level of 36c, the heavy humidity impacted severely on many players, especially the elderly.
Side one played Chelsea at home.
The visitors rang on the previous day to say they were considering not attending because of the heat, but bravely turned up on the morning.
They arrived nice and early, and the game even started before 10:30.
It was hard slog for both teams, and mid-morning one Chelsea player needed to withdraw, leaving them with only eleven players.
Cardinia Waters were expected to win, Chelsea having a fair grip on the wooden spoon…and that is how the game eventuated.
The side managers agreed to a later lunch time in an attempt to get at least 45 ends played before the break.
During the mornings play Cardinia Waters took a firm grip on the game, so much so that with all three rinks up, and an unassailable lead the afternoon play was shortened by two ends with Cardinia Waters winning all three rinks and by a score of 77-36.
Best winning rink was skipped by Bill Hite, that won easily, 32 shots to 14.
He was joined by Stephen Hale, Dennis Patmore and Robert Mitchell.
Also winning was John Van Vugt’s rink.
He played with Ray Naylor, Tom Gogan and Therese Mitchell and their final score was 22-10.
Not to be left out was the rink of Bryan Stevens, John Moore, Del Dance and Terry Nye who won their game 23-12.
This win lifted side one to third on the premiership ladder behind Narre Warren and Dandenong Club.
There are mutterings about playing finals, and to do so they need to account for Willow Lodge at home this Tuesday.
The lodgers are fairly formidable on their home green, but not so away.
In the run home to the finals Cardinia Waters play Dandenong Club, Keysborough and Noble Park. Only one of these teams is above them on the ladder so the locals could imagine a finals berth.
On the players ladder Cardinia Waters is well represented by Tom Gogan, Ray Naylor and John Van Vugt who are in third, fourth and fifth place respectively.
Side two had little joy at Churchill Waverley Golf Club.
The golfers are on top spot, and at home they certainly played like it.
Playing well on their manicured turf green they easily accounted for Cardinia Waters winning all three rinks, and finishing the game with 98 to 35 shots.
Next week side two plays Edithvale away.
Always more competitive at home Edithvale could feel comfortable, but Cardinia Waters may just frighten the sea-siders, with finals in mind.
Side two currently hold down fourth and Edithvale are in sixth place.
From there the run home sees the locals play Dandenong at home then Cranbourne away.
They have a bye during the last round and will need to win most of the remaining games to be finalists.
Saturday Pennant
Cardinia Waters had a well-deserved and resounding victory over arch rival Cranbourne on the village bowling green on Saturday.
The home side started well and gave ground just before afternoon tea to hold a one-shot advantage on the bell.
After the break Cardinia Waters took control all across the green and powered away to win 94-63.
All four rinks won, bringing much comfort to all the players.
Cardinia Waters haven’t had an ideal season, but the weekend victory will set the team up for their classic encounter against Pakenham Lions next weekend.
The Lions lost to Berwick on Saturday, and will face Cardinia Waters at home.
They will clearly remember their first-round game when Cardinia Waters won the game by one shot on the last end.
This week the best winning rink was skipped by the mercurial Bryan Stephens.
He, his wife Marion, Del Dance and Ian Kennedy combined well to easily control the game and win 23/9.
They had such a stranglehold on the game that their opponents never scored from end seven to sixteen.
Bill Hite’s rink were next best coming from behind at afternoon tea to grab a ten-shot victory.
Bill played with Tom Gogan, Donny Gibson and Terry Nye, and winning nine of the last eleven ends greatly contributed to their victory.
John Van Vugt’s rink needed to survive a late Cranbourne revival before winning by just five shots. John played with John Moore, Robert Mitchell and Therese Mitchell.
They scored a very valuable seven shots on the eleventh end, which helped them get over the line in the end.
Stephen Hale’s rink rounded off a great Cardinia Waters day, winning 22-20.
They started well, then suffered a six-shot loss on one end.
They then regrouped late to win a six of their own on the nineteenth end, enough to hang on for a win.
Stephen played with Mick Knight, Marie Stephenson and Graeme Taylor.
As mentioned earlier Cardinia Waters will play Pakenham Lions under the dome this Saturday.
Early forecasts are for a top temperature around 37c.
Perhaps we may see an early start as happened once before this season.
Cardinia Waters are now in fourth position on the ladder, and with Upwey Tecoma contesting that position, every shot counts now, in the run up to the finals.
-John Moore-
