CRANBOURNE BOWLS
Cranbourne has had the greatest start to a season for its number-one side in the history of the club – but nine on the bounce was a difficult assignment after a slow start.
Opposition team Berwick got off to a great start to set up a commanding lead to the tea break, which left Cranbourne in crisis mode.
Fortunately, Cranbourne fought back hard and went on to win by 26 shots at the end of play and kept the winning streak alive.
The club had a Christmas break up after the game and club Chairperson, Tony Collins was in great spirits as he entertained club members with his humour and wished everyone a happy and safe Christmas during the break.
WEEKEND PENNANT – ROUND 9
• Side 1 Division 2 Sec 8
At the tea break Cranbourne was 23 shots down and was playing very flat.
Enter team captain Jay Tootell who gave an inspirational speech to the players when they returned to the green. That seemed to do the trick with all four rinks excelling for the rest of the day.
Cranbourne turned a 23-shot deficit into a 49-shot turnaround and went on to win by an amazing 26 shots
Tootell, and his crew of Greg Jones and father and son combination Wayne and Matt (SOS) Stevens, went on to win by 19 shots.
But the remarkable comeback from skip Shane Jakins and his crew was equally outstanding. After trailing by more than 15 shots they only lost by one shot on the last end of play.
Club legend Ray Boskell was watching and encouraging the team from the sidelines and was an added inspiration to the team.
Cranbourne 92 (14 points) defeated Berwick 66 (4 points)
• Side 2 Division 3 Sec 8
A close encounter with a four-shot loss, after winning on two rinks and a draw on the other rink was a heartbreaker for the number-two side.
Skip Steve Hickson and his rink of Vic Butera, Bill Bradbury and Brian Caddell won by four shots.
Cranbourne 69 (5 points) lost to Narre Warren 73 (13 points)
• Side 3 Division 4 Sec 8
Best rink was Maree Taylor, Derek Maguire, Scott De Piazza and skip Harry Van Soest who won by three shots which was another great effort.
Cranbourne 58 (2 points) lost to Pakenham 74 (16 points)
• Side 4 Division 7 Sec 8
The green was fast and tricky in the wind but Cranbourne still managed to win the day by six shots.
Best rink was Sandra Mueller, Allen Skurrie, John Keen and Marijan Bobetic who won by 12 shots.
Cranbourne 75 (14 points) defeated Cranbourne RSL 69 (4 points)
• Side 5 Division 8 Sec 7 (12 a side)
The youngsters and new bowlers are playing well for Cranbourne but tough opposition was the difference today. Skip Cheryl Wright and her team of Chadd Tootell, Kristi Hickson and Lesley Deal tried hard all day.
Cranbourne 52 (0 points) lost to Churchill WG 75 (16 points)
• Side 6 Division 8 Sec 6 (12 a side)
Only four shots in this game with Cranbourne on the wrong side of the ledger.
A great effort by skip Mick Feeley, John Anstiss, Bruce Canavan and Sofio Raiti who won by 14 shots.
Cranbourne 59 (2 points) lost to South Oakleigh 63 (14 points)
MID-WEEK BOWLS
Cranbourne teams had a good week leading up to the Christmas break with three out of the four sides winning.
• Side 1 Division 2 Sec 6
Cranbourne 1 playing at home against top of the table Brighton 1 had a titanic struggle with the weather finally forcing the game to be completed after 49 ends played which was enough ends to complete the game and give Cranbourne victory by two shots. Great effort team.
Cranbourne 1 (42) defeated Brighton 1 (40) + 2 shots, 12 points.
Cranbourne 2 travelled to Berwick to take on a strong opposition team.
In the usual close encounters, Berwick appeared to have taken the overall points by winning two rinks, but then along came George Ljepojevic and his team of Maree Taylor, Dennis Tomlin and Peter Elgar who had a wonderful win over their opponents winning the rink by 13 shots and give Cranbourne an overall one-shot win.
Great effort one and all.
Cranbourne 2 (60) defeated Berwick 3 (59) + 1 shot, 12 points.
Cranbourne 3 travelled to Noble Park and the teams got through 48 ends before the game was ended.
With the minimum number of ends 45 constituted Cranbourne 3 came away winning all three rinks in a great performance. Best rink was that skipped by Steve Hickson, with Billy Bradbury, Karen Hickson and Kristi Hickson winning by 11 shots,
Cranbourne 3 (58) defeated Noble Park 2 (36) + 22 shots, 16 points with 48 ends completed.
Cranbourne 4 played against top of the ladder Churchill Waverley Golf 2.
As hard as they tried, unfortunately the Churchill teams playing on their favourite surface, grass, were far too experienced and easily outplayed our brave fourth side.
Cranbourne 4 (32) were defeated by Churchill Waverley Golf 2 (70) – 38 shots and zero points.
Following the return to the club by the travelling teams, a little mini-function was enjoyed by all who brought plates, followed by ice creams.
Midweek Pennant now has the Christmas break, returning for round 10 on Tuesday 17 January, 2023.
-Garry Hunt and Derek Maguire-
