PAKENHAM BOWLS
Pakenham Pennant sides returned a mixed bag of results last week – however there was more good news than bad.
SATURDAY
DIVISION 1
Pakenham One was at home to Parkdale, a side three rungs above it on the ladder.
The Lions displayed a ton of spirit early in the game and after the first 20 ends had three rinks up and a healthy lead of 28 shots to 12.
From that point forward the visitors began to put up a fight and by the half way mark had reduced the lead to eight shots and had their noses in front on two of the four rinks.
When play resumed after the break Pakenham’s bowlers pushed back hard and by the commencement of the business ends had opened up the lead to a more comfortable 14 shots.
At the end of the day, that lead proved to be just enough, as the overall winning margin was eventually whittled down to just three shots with the final score at 79 to 76.
The better of two winning rinks with 27/11 was Chris ‘Foxy’ Fox (S), Steve ‘Krusty’ Bentley (3), Des ‘Grizzly’ Leigh (2) and David Saint (L). David acquitted himself well in his first outing in First Div – however he needs a nickname – I suppose ‘Simon’ (Templar) is too obvious?
Despite the win, the Ones are still in seventh spot; however two of the three teams immediately above them are to play each other in the next round, while the third side will host the side in fourth position. To keep the Lions in the mix therefore, a win next Saturday on the grass at Mulgrave Country Club is vital.
DIVISION 3
Sharing the relative comfort of Pakenham’s dome with the Ones and safely shaded from the direct heat of the sun, the second side faced a tough encounter with a strong contingent from Berwick.
The locals were up to the task at first and after the first twenty ends, with two up and two down, held a narrow two shot lead.
However the Wickers then seemed to find another gear and on one rink in particular, began to dominate.
At the half way mark, although it was still two up and two down, the visitors held a seven-shot lead.
By the beginning of the business ends that lead had been extended to 20 shots and despite being (almost) matched by the Lions in the run home, at 92/70, Berwick won by 22 shots.
The better of two winning Pakenham rinks with a healthy score of 25 to 10 was ‘Stormin’ Norm Box (S), Allister Stewart (3), Graeme ‘Wildman’ Wilde (2) and Gary ‘Crow’ Crowley (L). This rink went against the general trend, outscoring the Wickers seven shots to one over the last five ends.
Unfortunately, the Twos find themselves at the bottom of the Pennant ladder. Next round they will be away at Cardinia Waters (seventh) for the battle of the cellar dwellers.
DIVISION 5
Pakenham Three might have expected a little relief from the heat up in the hills at Upwey Tecoma – however they received a hot reception from the locals.
The game was neck and neck at first and after the first twenty ends, with two up and two down, the Tigers held a narrow one shot lead.
However as the Lions became accustomed to the foreign deck, they began to inch their way ahead and by the half way mark, with two up, one all square and one down, had built a small lead of seven shots.
By the start of the business ends little had changed – the lead remained at seven shots but it was back to two up and two down.
Then in a tight finish, the Lions marginally outscored their opponents to run out winners by eight shots (77/69) and collected 14 Pennant points.
Best rink with 23/15 was Sam Granieri (S), Roger Platt (3), Trent ‘Rowdy’ Bedford (2) and Ray Leggett (L). The win has consolidated the number three side’s grasp on the fourth rung of the ladder. They will be home to Narre Warren (third) next round.
MIDWEEK
DIVISION 2
Pakenham One continued last week’s winning form with a good win at home against Churchhill Waverley Golf. The Lions were in control of this game from the outset and at no stage was there any cause for concern.
After the first fifteen ends all three rinks were in front and they led comfortably by 26 shots to six.
At the half way mark the lead had blown out to 54 to 10 and at the start of the business ends it was 70 to 19. After outscoring their hapless opponents by 25 shots to eight in the home straight they finished up with an incredible 95 shots to 27 win and collected maximum Pennant points.
The best of the three winning rinks with 35/7 was Max Mannic (S), Terry ‘TMac’ McRedmond (3), David Laird (2) and Derek Spraggon (L). The win elevated the Ones from fifth to third on the ladder – they will be home again in round eight for a hard game against Narre Warren (second).
DIVISION 3
Unfortunately, Pakenham Two were unable to duplicate the efforts of the Ones – but they were up against a tougher opponent down the road at Berwick.
The Wickers got the jump on them from the very start and led by 15 shots to eight with two rinks up after the first fifteen ends.
By the half-way mark one Pakenham rink still had its nose in front but the overall deficit had grown to 23 shots and the outlook was ominous.
However by the start of the business ends the margin had been reduced to just nine shots and there was a glimmer of hope in the Lions ranks. Unfortunately that hope soon turned to disappointment as the Lions were outscored 14 to nine over the last fifteen ends.
The only winning rink with 22/14 was Peter Wilson (S), Eric Peterson (3), Luis Aguilar (2) and Steve Rayner (L). Now in seventh spot, the Twos have another away game next round against Monbulk, sixth.
-Des Leigh-
