PAKENHAM BOWLS
On Sunday bowlers from a number of local clubs joined visitors from much further afield at Pakenham Bowls Club for a tournament held in commemoration of foundation members Theo and Beryl Crowley.
This day has long been an institution at Pakenham and it was pleasing to see both greens virtually full for an event which for many is more about having fun than actually winning. Non-bowling members of Clan Crowley also attended in force and some were quite happy to offer advice to the players who themselves were not averse to a little good natured sledging. However at the end of the day there had to be a winning team and this was skipped by Kev (The Prez) Donald, assisted by Barry Johnson, Joy Tomlin and David Laird.
Presentations and speeches were handled by the ever popular Gary Crowley aided by his nephew Peter Jonas. Peter said that he hoped the day would remain popular for a long time into the future and those in attendance heartily agreed.
OBE’s were also awarded on the day to John (Mulga) Shelton, Beth (Miss Nar Nar Goon) Webster and Ian Blackley. Charlie Allen was unfortunately absent due to ill health.
MIDWEEK
On the midweek Pennant front, both Pakenham sides were winners.
Pakenham One (Division 3) played Willow Lodge at home for a comprehensive 79 to 39 victory. The win saw them move from third to second on the ladder on equal points with Noble Park in third. At this stage the teams in the final four are fixed but not the positions. The One’s must therefore continue to win to guarantee a home final. Next round is away at Narre Warren (fourth). Best winning rink was Keith Emms (s), Joyce Andrus, Beth Webster and Fiona Samson with a score of 36 to nine.
Pakenham Two (Division 4) were away at Boronia where despite not having it all their own way they won 61 to 51. The Twos remain in second place on the ladder and with a lead of 45 points over Vermont South in third, cannot lose that position and are guaranteed a home final. Best winning rink with a 26 to 13 score was Ray Illing (s), Alan Wilcock, Joy Tomlin and Gail Wilcock. Round 17 will be at home against the Dandenong Club (fourth).
SATURDAY
Saturday’s results were again a mixed bag. Pakenham One (Division 1) had a not unexpected loss at home against top of the ladder Mulgrave Country Club One, 70 shots to 86. The only winning rink with a score of 26 to 23 was Neil (Coach) Devlin (s), Chris Fox, Dave Wood and Stephen Arms. The Ones are now in tenth place but can avoid relegation with wins in the last two home-and-away rounds against Armadale (eighth) at home and Cranbourne (ninth) away.
Pakenham two (Division 2) continued their late season surge. Despite being clear underdogs, they chalked-up an 88 to 80 away victory against Mulgrave Country Club Two, collecting 14 of the available 18 points in the process. Best winning rink was Des (Grizzly) Leigh (s), Jim Barrie, Wayne Glew and Reg (Wombat) Mattingly with a score of 25 to 17. The Two’s now sit in sixth spot only one-point behind Berwick in fifth. They have a hard road home with another away game next round against Mordialloc One (fourth) and then Narre Warren (third) at home in Round 18.
The high flying Pakenham Three (Division 6) were away against second placed Berwick where they received a bit of a reality check by way of a 66 to 84 loss. Best rink was Joyce Andrus (s), John (Giovanni) Donazzan, Ashley Graham and Graham Andrus with a score of 21 to 17. Despite the loss, the Threes remain on top of the ladder with a 15-point buffer to Berwick in second and are certain to have a home final. Next round will be at home against Hampton Park (seventh).
Pakenham Four (Division 7) had a good win 91 to 65 at home against Berwick picking up 16 of the available 18 points. However despite the win they dropped from third to fourth on the ladder, 28 points clear of Berwick in fifth. Best rink with a 30 to 13 win was Sam Granieri (s), Ray Leggett, John Hickman and Roger Platt. The Fours appear certain to feature in the finals and with very winnable games against Waverley Golf (twelfth) away and Mooroolbark (eighth) at home remaining, still have a chance of earning a home final.
In breaking news club champion Neil Devlin won the Champion of Champions title on Sunday – full details next week.
