Waters rise under pressure

Veteran Cardinia Waters bowler John Van Vugt had to dig deep for victory over Edithvale in midweek pennant. 312182 Pictures: SUPPLIED

CARDINIA WATERS BOWLS

MIDWEEK PENNANT

Cardinia Waters side one played at home last Tuesday against Edithvale.

It was a tough game, as games against Edithvale seem to go.

The home team had one standout rink, with Bryan Stevens, Marion Stevens, Kaye Hale and Terry Nye winning by nine shots.

However, the final score didn’t really indicate the one-sidedness of the game.

With just three ends to play the locals were cruising with the scoreboard showing 28-8, but Edithvale rallied over those last three ends to come back and grab another 11 shots.

John Van Vugt also skipped a winning rink, but it was no easy victory.

John played with Ray Naylor, Tom Gogan and Jill Naylor and they needed all their bowling skills to grab three shots on the last end and overtake Edithvale.

The one-shot win would have been heartbreaking for their opponents who had been in front almost all of the game.

Side one is in fourth position on the premiership table.

The most interesting game of this round was seventh place Chelsea defeating Willow Lodge who are third.

This result helped Cardinia Waters keep in touch with the four.

Next week they play top team Narre Warren under the Fountain Gate roof.

A tough game is expected.

Side two travelled to Keysborough to play Dandenong Rec RSL.

All three rinks suffered a small defeat which leaves this side in a precarious position as the second part of the season starts.

They currently hold down fourth position out of the seven teams.

They are just one point in front of Edithvale and next week they play Narre Warren at home. Narre Warren is currently third on the ladder.

SATURDAY PENNANT

This week saw the start of the second half of the Pennant season, and Cardinia Waters Saturday side played Hampton Park at home.

Last time these two sides met in the opening game of the season they played a draw.

This time the home side made sure they won, but not after letting Hampton Park into the game early.

So much so, that the two teams had equal scores on 40-40 at afternoon tea.

After the break Cardinia Waters put the foot down and powered away to a comfortable victory winning on three of the four rinks played.

Final score was 93-65.

Best winning rink was Bill Hite who played with Tom Gogan, Kaye Hale and John Moore.

This foursome was in charge all day holding a five-shot advantage at the break.

They didn’t mess around after the break easily winning, and topping the victory off with a seven on the last end.

Their final score was 33-8.

Also winning comfortably was the rink of Bryan Stevens, Marion Stevens, Robert Mitchell and Ian Kennedy, whose final score was 21-11.

After trailing their Hampton Park opponents all day, it was pleasing to see a handy score of six on the last end help Stephen Hale, Mick Knight, Marie Stephenson and Graeme Taylor to a two-shot win, and the two points that go with it.

Cardinia Waters still languishes in sixth spot on the ladder and next week they travel to Noble Park.

Last time these two teams met it was a whitewash to Cardinia Waters.

Noble Park is now stuck on the bottom of the ladder with only one win this season.

This week they received an absolute thrashing at the hands of league leader Pakenham.

So next week at home on their very slow grass they may present a handful to Cardinia Waters.

-John Moore-