BERWICK BOWLS
• Side 1 – Div 1 Section 4
The top side sits atop of the Section ladder after another fantastic performance against Beaumaris at home. Taking 16 points from three rink wins it came down to the last end of the day on ‘Sticks’ Ellard rink. A great effort considering they were down by 10 or more at one stage. Josh McQueen’s rink got up by four after a slow start and the rinks of Rich and Mills had comfortable 12 shot wins.
The 1s travel to Pakenham this Friday night to play long-time rivals Pakenham who have put on a live stream of the game so tune in if you can’t make it down to Pakky for the 6.30pm start.
• Side 2 – Div 2 Section 5
We knew this would be a tough game for the twos and to top it off there had been quite a few changes to the side due to form and unavailability. Playing on Dandy Club’s consistent deck all sides started well and it was neck and neck. Clarkey’s rink had some changes this week and they had the eventual only rink win. The rinks of French and Azzopardi narrowly missed but it was the Hughes rink that had the toughest of days going down by 19 and unfortunately we could only come away with two points. For the most part it was a very competitive contest and let’s hope we can have more stability in selection with availability to give the twos the best chance going forward. They’re hosting Ferntree Gully’s top side next week and we think they’ll get the win.
• Side 3 – Div 3 Section 6
A fantastic win at home against the undefeated Cranbourne RSL showed the threes can be a real chance to play finals at the end of the season. Only the rink of Thompson’s went down narrowly by two shots with Mills, Down and Lapinskas rinks all winning by 13, six and 10 respectively. A convincing win against one of the early favourites and another big test as the threes take on the strong Cardinia Waters 1 on their synthetic deck. Another win could set up the threes season early on!
• Side 4 – Div 3 Section 7
We knew Cheltenham were strong after their off-season recruiting for their Div 1 side so for our fours to be playing their twos was going to be a big challenge.
Some disappointing results but again with unavailability being a major factor it has been hard to settle this side. Doug Fisher’s rink had a great win but unfortunately the other three rinks couldn’t really stay close to the opposition and Cheltenham ran away with the game. Two points taken from the day and the fours now sit equal fourth on shot difference and we’ll in touch and play Parkdale 2 on a similar green to our Green-4 so we are looking for a much improved day for the fours next week.
• Side 5 – Div 4 Section 6
Although only coming away with two of the 18 points this week the fifths gave it a real shake against Narre’s ‘3rd’ side! It shows our depth and how competitive and strong our sides are this year and the fifths gave a real fighting effort narrowly going down by no more than four on the losing rinks. The fifths need a win to stay in touch and travel to Upwey this week to take on the top side (their second side). It’s a big ask but they showed on Saturday they will fight for every shot until the last end.
• Side 6 – Div 4 Section 7
Wow…one of the most comprehensive side wins we’ve seen for a while! Overall, the 6s won by a massive 87 shots against Hampton 4! Rink wins by Smith, Watson, Steere and Stoker with the lowest winning margin 18 and the highest 27!
They sit second on points and take on Edithvale third side at Edithvale who sit on top of the ladder. A win here might open it right up for the 6s to go into the Xmas break on top of the ladder.
• Side 7 – Div 7 Section 7 (12 a side)
Three in a row and only three forfeits for Moorabbin see them above us. Some shuffling of personnel between the 7s and 8s plus the return of Brock, Leon and Blake Keel and young gun Stephen Wakeman saw the 7s just too good for Mordy with a convincing 53 shot win and taking home 16 points for the day. Moorabbin will finally get a game this week which should see Berwick 7 go to the top of the ladder. We are confident our home green advantage will be the difference.
• Berwick 8 – Div 7 Sect 8
And yes, another win! Five from eight for the day and the 8s also ran out 28-shot victors over Hampton 5. Mike Ferey’s rink getting up by 14 and Wood and Waugh’s rink winning by eight and six respectively. The 8s sit fourth on the ladder and travel to Beaumaris to play their 5s who have only won one game but sit above us due to forfeits. A big win could see the 8s jump to second.
Overall, we are in a great position after the early rounds and five wins from eight sides says we are competitive in all sections. Great job Wickers.
