CARDINIA WATERS BOWLS
The run home to Pennant finals begun in earnest following the Christmas break this week with six rounds left in Midweek competition and just five rounds remaining on Saturday.
After a great start to the season, Cardinia Waters Midweek side one spent the break basking in the glory of being on top of the ladder.
The Villagers first game back was a home game against Berwick.
In stark contrast to their game at Berwick earlier in round two the weather was fine and dry with just a gentle breeze.
Berwick bought their best team, and as expected took the game right up to the village side.
They led by one shot at lunch before wilting under the pressure that Cardinia Waters has become known for.
Many of the Villagers success stories have been come-from-behind wins this season.
Ultimately, the home side won two of the three rinks and by a margin of sixteen shots.
They are very comfortable on top of the ladder three wins clear of second placed Edithvale.
This week they travel to bottom of the ladder side Keysborough.
The best winning rink was skipped by John Van Vugt who played with Ashley Graham, Kel Smith and Jill Naylor.
Up by seven shots at lunchtime, they romped away in the afternoon to win 24-9.
Keith Lewis’s rink showed a never-say-die attitude coming from six shots down at lunch to win by six shots up at the finish.
Keith played with Cathy Swinkels, Robert Mitchell and Paul Brindle.
Side two also played a Berwick side and had a last-end draw.
Behind all day, Michele Bondfield’s rink grabbed two on the last end to claim the points.
Michele played with Len Judge, Stuart Tokely and Peter Mitchell.
Also winning by four shots was the rink of Marie Stephenson, Steve Hale, Frank Basso and Alan Hamilton.
Well behind at lunch they found a new liking to the turf green and only conceded two ends in the afternoon to catch up and defeat their opponents.
Side two appear to have second place on the ladder in their grasp.
Eight points in arrears of leader Cheltenham, they are one game clear of third placed Mulgrave Country Club; who they play this week.
SATURDAY PENNANT
Weekend Pennant resumed this week and side one continued its undefeated streak with a win over Narre Warren under the roof at Fountain Gate.
The game was no ‘walk-in-the-park’ for Cardinia Waters, who led at the afternoon tea break by nine shots before closing off the game by seventeen shots.
Best winning rink was skipped by Ashley Graham, joined by Marion Stevens, Del Dance and Val Moore.
They led by six shots at the break but romped away from there on to win 29-10.
Ray Naylor had a successful afternoon winning well with a score of 30-18.
A score of six on the second end positioned Ray, John Moore, Jill Naylor and Ron Seamer for a big score.
However, their opponents drew level at the tea bell before being overtaken by the Village players from there on.
They won ten of the next twelve ends in a powerful display.
Side one was tested by Narre Warren but showed the skills they displayed before the Christmas break to firmly hold down top spot on the ladder.
This week they meet Clayton away, another dangerous game on grass.
There are only four more home and away games before the finals start.
Side two, who were just holding onto top spot on the ladder, lost by thirteen shots to Berwick on Saturday.
The win allowed Berwick to take over top spot relegating Cardinia Waters to second, fourteen points clear of third placed Glen Waverley.
Success was tasted by just one rink which was skipped by Marie Stephenson who played with Stuart Tokely, Therese and Peter Mitchell.
They started well, handing over the lead in the middle of the game before powering home to win 29-10.
They dominated the last half of the game with many multiple scores.
This week they play third placed Glen Waverley at home.
Last time these two teams played Glen Waverley won by five shots, so another close game is expected.
THURSDAY NIGHT TRIPLES
Another perfect evening for bowls under lights saw the top two positions change with Team Smith grabbing top position from Team Moore who slipped to second.
Teams Birnie, Lewis and Patmore are all vying for the last two spots on the ladder.
The finals have been planned for February 5, with the semi-finals commencing at 2pm and the finals at 5pm.
-John Moore-
