BERWICK BOWLS
• Berwick 1 def Parkdale 110-56 (Home). Ladder: 5th
This was possibly the best all-round four-rink performance for the year by the Div 1 side. With Parkdale fighting relegation and our side fighting for the slim chance of playing finals it was important to get a big win and hopefully the full 18 points. They did that and have kept their slim hopes of playing finals alive, albeit, needing another result going their way with Flemington up against fourth-placed Whittlesea this weekend. A win for the top side, probably requiring 16 points, and a big loss to Whittlesea, just might see the ones get through.
One player provided a Tool of the Year nomination after deciding to tackle the big board during the game and coming off second best. He was left with a few scratches and bruises and a very embarrassing hit to his pride. The team still has hope as it hits the road to take on third-placed Mitcham at Mitcham.
• Berwick 2 (Qualifying Final) def by Clayton 3 71- 85 (Home).
A heartbreaking loss for the twos who have clearly been the best home-and-away side all year finishing 46 points clear of second-placed Clayton 3. But, we know that finals is a different game in any sport and sometimes the height of the occasion and the pressure that people put on themselves can change all that has happened previously. That was the case on the weekend, Clayton 3 came out firing and although it was a pretty even game three-quarters of the way through, Clayton started to edge ahead in the latter stages and took the win away and a grand final berth. Our twos had to regroup before heading to Cheltenham on Sunday to take on fourth-placed Mordialloc ion the preliminary final.
• Berwick 2 (Preliminary Final) def by Mordialloc (Away) 71-72.
Heartbreak on Saturday became a crushing end to the season on Sunday for the twos. With only one rink win by Kurt Oswald, Jean Reddy, Alan Clements and Dennis Griffin (25-12), the twos nearly pulled off the win. The game started equal with Berwick having the slight advantage on the big board until two-thirds through the game. Mordialloc continued to edge closer and closer right to the final ends. Going into end 84, scores were locked at 71 each. Both sides, spectators and officials, were enthralled with the game as the nail-biting last end began. Geoff Dawson drew the shot with his second bowl and although holding shot when the skips changed over an unlucky result saw the Berwick shot bowl removed. With one bowl left, Graham Manifold had the pressure of the side and the club on his own shoulders and with a fantastic bowl, just missed drawing the shot. The twos were gutted, but the club is very proud of what they achieved through the season.
• Berwick 4 (Qualifying Final) def by Pakenham 2 62-92 (Away).
Pakky 2 has been the yardstick of the section all year and again proved that on Saturday. Two rinks went down by a total of 33 shots on Saturday and in finals, generally that won’t get you the chocolates. The fours battled very hard all season for the second chance and going to Pakky to take on the ladder leaders was always going to be a big ask with our fourths taking on Pakky’s twos. With the double chance though, the fours would then play the preliminary final on Sunday so all was not lost as they headed to Noble Park to take on Mulgrave.
• Berwick 4 (Preliminary Final) def by Mulgrave CC 79-80 (Away).
Like the twos, the fourths season ended in heartbreak as Mulgrave managed to pinch victory on the last end of the day! We’ve said it before, keeping losing margins down is the most important thing about playing pennant in this format. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case in the final ends of this game and the Berwick side were unable to limit the losses and in a heartbreaking finish on the last end, they lost by the smallest possible margin. They fought hard for so much of the year and to end in this fashion really did shatter the fours and those in attendance. Congratulations on what was a fantastic season and one that saw many gain valuable experience and knowledge for the future.
• Berwick 6 (Elimination Final) def Cranbourne RSL 1 93-55 (Home).
After losing second spot by default during the week the sixes had to play a do-or-die game on Saturday against Cranbourne RSL who recently trounced the sixes on their home turf, one that many clubs struggle with. But the sixes had them at home on Saturday and proved they were far and above the better side with all rinks winning very well and now deserved their opportunity in the Preliminary final on Sunday against the in-form Dandy Club 5.
• Berwick 6 (Preliminary Final) def Dandenong Club 5 83-56 (Away).
After the big win on Saturday, the sixes travelled to Burden Park to take on top-of-the-ladder Dandy Club. What a great result, with all four rinks winning convincingly to make their way to the Sectional Grand Final this Saturday. The sixes have been a power of consistency over the season and now come up against Cranbourne 4 who jumped them after the completion of the season by default. Cranbourne 4 got the better of the Wickers in Round 14, two weeks ago, by only four shots overall with two rink wins each so this grand final could go right down to the wire.
• Berwick 7 (Qualifying Final) def by Churchill Waverley Gold 2 58-69 (Home).
Hmmm…another disappointing loss in a qualifying final by the Wickers. The game was on our home turf, under the dome, the atmosphere at the club was amazing and Churchill was ripe for the picking. In what started as a very close game the sevens found themselves playing catchup for most of the second half. The break we thought may have helped them but poor old Jimmy Young’s rink just couldn’t take a trick on the day and found themselves well down and trying to chase shots to bring the margin back. It wasn’t to be and unfortunately, it meant the sevens had to head to Burden Park on Sunday.
• Berwick 7 (Preliminary Final) draw Mulgrave CC 66-66 (Away).
Well, this one certainly got interesting.
The sevens went to Burden Park on Sunday fresh off defeat and were keen to make amends. Unfortunately, only one of the three rinks finished in front of Mulgrave 6 at the end of 63 ends. That’s when it became interesting! In probably one of the most ridiculous decisions in bowls I’ve heard of, the umpire of the day decided to award the win to Mulgrave CC 6 due to them winning two of the three rinks. We all know that if a score is tied after all ends played, both sides must play and extra end across all rinks to determine an overall score winner. With a minor protest sent to Bowls Victoria on Sunday night we now know that both Berwick 7 and Mulgrave CC 6 will return to Burden Park early on Saturday morning to play their two-end roll up and one end each rink to determine the winner of the game or until a result is final. The loser will go home and the winner will then travel most likely to Noble Park to play the sectional grand final against Churchill Waverley Golf 2. An interesting finish to this season for both sides but the sevens will need a solid game plan going into this one.
Overall it was a disappointing end to some seasons, but some still have some history to write for the Berwick Bowling Club.
What it does show is that our depth and competitiveness is at an all-time high.
What we know is that our club is on a very clear path and one that is only going to keep us at the top amongst the Casey Cardinia region.
-John Rich-
