CRANBOURNE bowlers overcame a poor start to their Metro Pennant Bowls Division One final to fight out a thrilling finish against Blackburn.
The home side hit the front at the 75th end but couldn’t sustain the run and were beaten overall by seven shots.
The final was played in overcast, cool conditions, after light overnight rain which took the sting out of the green.
The Blackburn side relished the conditions, with only the rink of David Grace, Brian Caddell, Ian Barrenger and Jarrod Boyd matching their opponents.
Blackburn ran to an impressive overall lead of 18 shots before Cranbourne began to turn it around.
Ray Travica’s rink of Joe Byrne, Rob Reid and Corben Barrenger began to take charge, playing great scoring shots.
Barry Thomas’s rink of Alan Mickle, Rob Lillis and Graeme Wilde, badly beaten early, made a big turn around with excellent shotplay and some big bowls from the skip.
Peter Colthup and his rink of Steve Bentley, Damien Kresinger and Ron Plunkett were fighting hard to stay in the contest and began to stop the leak of shots.
At the break and after 52 ends Cranbourne were within five shots and back in the match. Cranbourne made a move after the break and hit the lead at the 78th end, but it was short lived as Blackburn had two big scoring ends to hold the upper hand.
Despite a desperate finish Blackburn held on to score a meritorious win and Cranbourne’s season has now finished.
Mention should be made of the excellent contribution of replacement skips Peter Colthup, Barry Thomas and David Grace who, due to unfortunate circumstances, stepped up late in the season to perform admirably.
Blackburn 92 d Cranbourne 85 (B. Thomas 22-21; D. Grace 19-26; R. Travica 26-19; P. Colthup 18-26).
@BT Sub Sport News: Ladies’ pennant
Cranbourne ladies completed their pennant season with wins to three of the four sides.
The A1 side had an excellent win over the top side Dandenong Club at Dandenong by 21 shots. Best winning rinks was Lesley Mulder’s rink, which won by 17 shots.
Lyn Whalley’s rink was up by six shots and Kath Dudink’s rink was down by two shots. Cranbourne 75 d Dandenong Club 55.
The A2 side was at home to Dandenong Club but was unable to get up and lost by 8.5 shots. Best winning rink was skipped by Shirley Venville with an 18 shot win. Dandenong Club 70.5 d Cranbourne 62.
The B1 team had a good win away at Cheltenham by 15 shots. Best winning rink was skipped by Denise Muelman with 14 shots up. Cranbourne 79 d Cheltenham 64.
The B2 team finished the season with a 23.75 shot win against Waverley Golf at home. John Kelly’s rink had the best win by 14 shots. Cranbourne 82.75 d Waverley Golf 59.
At the end of the season the A1 side finished second on the ladder. The A2 side finished eighth, the B1 side finished second, and the B2 side finished fifth.
