PAKENHAM BOWLS CLUB
SATURDAY
Pakenham One (Div 1) played round 16 of its 18-round season on Saturday while the other weekend sides played the final home-and-away games of their shorter 14-round competition.
The top side was away at Brunswick, the club immediately below it on the ladder.
This game, played on a beautiful grass green, did not start well for the Lions – by the completion of the first twenty ends their hosts had jumped out to a 30 to eight lead and were ahead on all four rinks.
By the half-way mark little had changed, although the overall deficit had been marginally reduced to twenty shots by then.
Dylan Morrison’s rink had drawn level with its opponent and the rink of Glenn ‘Google’ Bainbridge had fought back to within three shots.
By the start of the business ends however, Pakenham was again four rinks down and trailing by 26 shots.
Then, in the run home, Google’s rink managed to pull ahead of its direct opponent but the overall losing margin grew to 30 shots.
The Lions only winning rink with 16 shots to 14 was Glenn Bainbridge (S), Neil ‘Big Dev’ Devlin (3), Roger Fraser (2) and David Saint (L).
As a result of the loss the Ones dropped to seventh position on the ladder, eight points ahead of Bacchus Marsh and 14 up on Parkdale.
They are to host the ladder leader, Flemington Kensington, next Saturday.
Pakenham Two (Div 4), top of the ladder, was away on (heavy) grass at second-placed Mulgrave Country Club.
As expected, the game was a close tussle from the outset and by the completion of the first twenty ends, Pakenham had two rinks up and one level but were behind by one shot.
By the half-way mark the Lions trailed by six shots although by then both sides had two up and two down.
By the start of the business ends, Pakenham had turned the game around and held a six-shot lead although at that stage it was still two up and two down.
However Mulgrave was slightly stronger over the final ends and in a game which came down to the final bowl, prevailed by the slender margin of two shots.
The better of Pakenham’s two winning rinks with 25 to 15 was ‘Stormin’ Norm Box (S), Brian Norton (3), Ash Graham (2) and Jan Moore (L).
Despite the loss, the Twos retained top spot on the ladder.
They will play a sectional semi-final against Berwick at home next Saturday.
The elimination final will be between Mulgrave and Upwey-Tecoma at Mulgrave.
Pakenham Three (Div 6) continued its stellar season with a good win at home against Willow Lodge. The Threes were always in control of that contest – with approximately a quarter of the game completed they had three rinks up and a lead of 21 shots to 11 and that was extended to 46-27 by the half-way mark.
As the game continued, the Lions steadily built on their lead and by the start of the business ends had taken the score to 66 to 41 with all four rinks in front.
The final score was a commanding 94 to 55 with all four up.
Best rink with 28 to eight was Peter Wilson (S), Bill Bosch (3), Eric Peterson (2) and Mark Dalton (L).
Having lost just one game for the home and away season, the Threes finished on top of the ladder, 40 points clear of Narre Warren.
They also earned a home semi-final – their opponent will be Narre.
The elimination final will be between Monbulk and Ferntree Gully at Monbulk.
Pakenham Four (Div 7) finished the season with a gutsy, come-from-behind win at Carrum.
The Lions were in real trouble in the first half of that game and were 11 to 31 behind after twenty ends with three rinks down and one even.
They were still trailing 33 to 51 at half time, although they had one rink up by then.
As the afternoon progressed, Pakenham’s players began to gain the upper hand.
By the start of the business ends they had two rinks in front and had reduced the deficit to just six shots.
Then, in the home straight, they finally grabbed the lead to finish with three rinks up and a winning score of 86 to 76.
Best rink with 26 to 14 was Reg ‘Wombat’ Mattingly (S), David Moore (3), Frank Grant (2) and Cheryl Lewry (L).
The Fours finished the season in sixth spot and will not therefore take part in the finals.
It was pleasing and encouraging however to see that once they had a full complement of players they were able to string together a few wins.
MIDWEEK
The Midweek teams played the penultimate round of their 14-game season on Tuesday 7 February.
Pakenham One (Div 2) had a good win down the road at Berwick.
Despite having one rink down for much of the game, the Ones were always in control.
They were 17-10 up with two rinks in front after the first fifteen ends, 35-25 at half time and 58-32 at the start of the business ends.
They then powered home, outscoring Berwick 34 shots to four over the last fifteen ends to finish with three rinks in front and a final score of 92 to 36.
Best rink with 39 to eight was Steve ‘Krusty’ Bentley (S), Max Mannic (3), Keith Lewis (2) and Terry ‘TMac’ McRedmond (L).
The Ones are still on top of the ladder, 16 points (one full round) ahead of The Dandenong Club. With one round to go, they should finish on top and earn a home semi-final.
Pakenham Two (Div 4) played Berwick at home.
They were slow to start and allowed the visitors to grab an early, narrow lead.
However, that situation had been remedied by the half-way mark at which point the Lions were in front by ten shots and had two rinks up.
Pakenham’s lead had grown to 17 shots, still with two up and one down by the beginning of the business ends.
That lead was then reduced by small increments over the last 15 ends but the Lions finished 14 shots in front with two winning rinks.
The better of the two winning rinks with 29 to 19 was Lindsay Stevenson (S), Bill Bosch (3), Ash Graham (2) and Ken Clifton (L).
The Twos have regained top spot on the ladder, now equal on points with Narre Warren but ahead on percentage.
Their last-round game for the decider, and the right to host the home ground semi, will be away at Narre on Tuesday 14 February.
Pakenham Three had a nicely balanced win at Noble Park with all three rinks contributing in a small way to a comfortable 19-shot win overall.
They were eight shots up with two rinks ahead and one level after 15 ends, 32 to 19 with two up and one down by the midway mark and 39 to 30 with one up, one down and one level at the start of the run home.
They got it all together again over the last 15 ends to finish with all three rinks up and a final score of 58 to 39.
Best rink with 19 to 11was Vince Bevilacqua (S), Eric Peterson (3), Roy Harvie (2) and Jan Stevenson (L).
The Threes are still on top of the ladder, almost four full rounds clear of Burden Park.
They have a bye in the final round so they cannot collect any more Pennant points but that is irrelevant as they have already booked a home semi-final.
HI-LO
The final winner for the season was Jan Moore with number 46.
-Des Leigh-
