It’s happening later each year but the 2025-26 Bowls Pennant season finally got under way on Saturday with the completion of the first round of the Weekend competition. The Midweek season starts on Tuesday 28 October.
With the departure of eight or nine players from last season’s successful Div 1 side, a number of opportunities were created for members of the second side to step up to fill the resulting vacancies – a couple of new members were also added to the list.
Unfortunately, the Ones started the season with a disappointing away game at Narre Warren. Due to a glitch in Bowls Vic’s live, on line scoring system, it was not possible to complete a full analysis of that game; however it was obviously not a happy result for the visitors. Overall, the Lions were soundly beaten by 105 shots to 62 and with only one winning rink, came home with just two Pennant points.
The one redeeming feature of the One’s performance was the incredible fight back staged by “Nifty” Nev Brown’s rink. They were down two shots to 10 after the first five ends and trailed four to sixteen at the half way mark but from that point forward turned the game on its head, outscoring their opponents by 21 shots to six over the last 10 ends to win by 25 to 22 – a magnificent effort. Nev was assisted by Terry “TMac” McRedmond (3), Claire Smyth (2) and Mark Ryan (L).
At this very early stage the Ones sit at the bottom of the ladder. They have a home game against Cheltenham in round two.
Pakenham Two (Div 3) were simply outclassed at home by Edithvale One. Regrettably, the home side were never in the hunt and were behind at every stage of the game. After the first twenty ends the Breakers were in front on all four rinks and held an overall lead of 23 shots to nine. By the half way mark, with 52 shots to 26, the visitors’ score was exactly twice the Lions’ tally and from that point they kept the foot down all the way to the finish to win overall by 91 shots to 47 and take the maximum 18 Pennant points.
The Twos are also on the bottom rung of the ladder. They will play Berwick Three, away, next round.
Pakenham Three (Div 5) were also on the road on Saturday but came home with a much better result than their more senior Div 1 clubmates. For most of the afternoon, their game at Mulgrave Country Club was as close as possible. After the first twenty ends, both sides were two up and two down, with the Lions trailing their hosts overall by 17 shots to 18. Remarkably, at the half way mark, with the score at 41 to 42, the margin was still only one shot and both sides remained two up and two down.
During the “third quarter” the Lions put in a big effort and by the start of the business ends were in front on all four rinks and held a lead of 71 shots to 56. From that point it was on for young and old but Pakenham came home with the chocolates and with two up, one drawn and one down, collected 15 Pennant points. At the end of play, with 83 shots to 81, Pakenham’s winning margin was just two shots, with the one losing rink going down by just one shot.
Best rink with 20 to 18 was “Stormin” Norm Box (S), Bruce McGennisken (3), Judith Ferrari (2) and Gary “Crow” Crowley (L).
The Threes’ next outing will be a home game against Carrum One.
Pakenham Four (now promoted to Div 6) also played Mulgrave Country Club but had the advantage of playing at home under the dome. They finished much later than the Twos and it was so gloomy by the end of play that it was surprising that the game was not completed under lights.
This was another close game. After twenty ends both sides had two up and two down but Pakenham held a narrow four shot lead. At the half way mark it was still two up and two down but by then the Lions’ overall lead had been reduced to two shots. The home side surged after the break and by the start of the business ends had established a lead of 13 shots, although at that stage it was still two up and two down. The visitors fought back during the run home and managed to eat into the lead – however the Lions hung on to win by six shots and collected 14 Pennant points.
Best rink with a final score of 32 to 12 was Alan Waterson(S), Jane Ryan (3), Eric Peterson (2) and Mathew Ryan (L). Alan’s rink dominated all afternoon.
The Fours will be away at the Dandenong Club next round.
HI-LO
The winner for the opening round was Julian Colmegna with number 29.
– Desmond Leigh
