CRANBOURNE bowlers were all fired up with high expectations on their first game of Saturday pennant after the long Christmas holiday break. In a mixed result for the club, three of the six sides had wins.
Unfortunately losses by the top and fourth sides resulted in both teams dropping out of the four of their respective pennant ladders.
The top side played away against season favourite Coatesville on a slow running 12-second grass green. The sluggish green and gusty conditions made it difficult for bowlers, but the Coatesville side handled things better than their opponents, winning strongly on two of the four rinks.
“Two Dogs” Lyfield’s team of Chris Fox, Ian Barrenger and Jack Wylie had a good win, while Ray Travica’s rink were helped to a win by the return of their third, Barry Thomas.
The second side played at home against their old nemesis, the Cranbourne RSL. As expected, the game was a very vocal one with friendly sledging and banter passing back and forth between old mates as the game played out.
A very strong win by Rob Reid’s rink of Fritz Helle, Tony Collins and “Big Al” Mickle ensured an overall side win. Their 29-shot win also gave the team the club’s “best rink” award, entitling the boys to a free drink at the bar. With three rinks up and 16 points, the Cranbourne side remains in third spot on the Division Two ladder.
The third side played away against Pakenham and managed good wins on three of the four rinks, winning overall by 20 shots. Gary Farrington’s team had a convincing 18-shot win thanks to some big “Hollywood” shots played by his third, Rob DaCosta.
In an exciting finish the Cranbourne fourth side almost beat the strong Parkdale top side thanks to a 23-shot win by Don O’Neil and his team of Stan Myers, David Wilson and Marie Taylor. However, despite this win and that by of reigning club champion, Peter DeLisle, the home side could not catch their opponents, eventually going down by four shots overall.
The Cranbourne fifth side played at home against Oakleigh’s top side and only one Cranny rink managed a win in what eventually turned into a one-sided affair. Rob Sorensen’s rink of Alex Woodman, Roger Platt and Trevor Elsey fought back well to grab a nine-shot win against tough opponents.
A very big win by the Cranny sixth side playing away at Edithvale was the talk of the clubhouse afterwards, with Frank Coulter’s team of Kath Dudink, Keith Clarkson and Jim Hanks winning by a whopping 28 shots. The Cranny side had wins on three rinks, picking up 16 points and distancing themselves from the dreaded relegation zone.
@BT Sub Sport News:RESULTS
Coatesville (1) 77 d Cranbourne (1) 64. R. Travica 18-16, B. Reiner 14-20, L. Quigg 9-23, R. Lyfield 23-18.
Cranbourne (2) 99 d Cranbourne RSL (1) 59. J. Byrne 18-14, R. Kent 25-13, R. Reid 36-7, P. Elgar 20-25.
Cranbourne (3) 87 d Pakenham (2) 67. J. Mulder 25-15, G. Farrington 28-10, N. Fell 22-15, M. Boltong 12-27.
Parkdale (1) 82 d Cranbourne (4) 78. R. Mills 8-28, P. De Lisle 24-23, D. O’Neill 32-9, S. Boyd 14-22.
Oakleigh (1) 95 d Cranbourne (5) 76. G. Winters 18-27, A. Skurrie 12-27, P. Bibby 21-25, R. Sorensen 25-16.
Cranbourne (6) 104 d Parkdale (5) 52. O. Stanley 28-13, S. Venville 14-17,C.Wright 26-14, F. Coulter 36-8.
