Ups and downs this week across the board. With 36 players unavailable for the weekend the clubs depth was really tested from the 2nds right down to the 8s. Our 6s received a forfeit from Dandenong Club and thankfully, due to that happening it allowed us to fill some vacant positions throughout the grades.
SIDE 1 Saturday 83 def Keysborough 79
Travelling to Keysborough is always a tough task and their green didn’t help at all with varying pace and runs throughout. Thankfully for us, Keysborough also had to adjust as they also didn’t know what to expect form their own green either.
With Berwick off to a good start it quickly became a nail biter throughout the afternoon. The rink of John Horwood, Andrew Bunnell, Lawrie Edwards and John Rich got out to a great lead and continued that throughout the day. As expected, the final result came down to the last 2 or 3 ends. Ellard picked up two on his rink and Rich a couple also which saw the wickers come away with a 4 shot overall win.
SIDE 1 Sunday 81 def Upwey-Tecoma 67 (Ladder position 1st)
A double header and a couple of tough away games. The 1’s got off to a great start with an early overall lead which took the pressure right off. Steve Ellard, David Bond, Ed Wilson and Paul O’Day were all over it and it saw them out to a big lead which eventually set the day up with a rink win of 29-11.
McQueen was well down early against some amazing bowls from the opposition skip but fought back hard to have a chance to win the game on the last end but it wasn’t to be. Rich’s rink won a tight one by a shot and Mills rink was just down after some great bowls by the mullet throughout the game. With another double header next week the 1’s will need to consolidate a great weekend of wins by hosting Mordy on Saturday then travelling to Clayton on Sunday. Now in top spot, they have a red hot chance of the home final in a couple of weeks but their fate is in their hands.
SIDE 2 54 def by Cranbourne 1 92 (4th)
The 2’s were decimated this week with unavailability and COVID isolations.
Cranbourne 1 got our 2’s on a day we weren’t at full strength and it really has hurt the ladder position of the 2nds. Sitting in top spot after a great win last weekend, they’ve now dropped to 4th. This section is probably one of the most competitive in the club’s competitions for weekend pennant. Sitting in 4th spot and only 10 points clear of Ferntree Gully in 5th, a big win is needed against Vermont Sth this week. With many returning to the side, who knows with the 2’s – 7’s playing their last home and away round an 18 point win and the possibility of some upsets in other games, the 2’s just might see themselves back to the top 2. Fingers crossed its a big win and the results go our way. Again, their fate is now in their hands.
SIDE 3 114 def Chelsea 1 51 (2nd)
A huge win by the 3’s this week against Chelsea’s top side at home. Rink wins of 19 (K.Graeber), 10 (C.Fothergill), 8 (K.Dalman) and a massive score of 35-9 by Jim Weir, Lynn McCurran, Karyn Mackie and Craig “Cranky” Mills saw the 3’s really consolidate their ladder position of 2nd.
Again though, this week could see some change in ladder positions. The 3’s play Cranbourne 3 at Cranbourne. It could be a tough game on their synthetic but we’ll back them in (just). The 3rd side Cranbourne RSL host Narre Warren so we don’t see the top position changing but with a good win, the 3’s will secure their 2nd spot and a home final the following week.
SIDE 4 82 drew with Mulgrave 3 82 (7th)
Great to see the 4’s bounce back after last week’s game. They weren’t happy with our assessment of their effort and came out determined to give a better effort and they did.
1 rink win and 2 rink draws saw both teams come away with 9 points for the day. The 4’s play their last game this weekend against South Oakleigh at home and who knows, the 4’s just might help shape the final four with a win over 2nd place in their last game.
SIDE 5 64 def by Mulgrave 4 77 (7th)
The 5’s have been great to past few weeks and nearly knocked off the 3rd placed Mulgrave on the weekend. Their wins have been few and far between but their past month has seen them get a couple of wins on the board and some very close games against good sides.
This week the 5’s travel to Keysborough to play their 3rd side, they’ve got nothing to lose and could end Keysy’s hopes of sneaking in to the 4 with a win in their last game. Great effort this week to all in the 5’s and lets see you get yourselves up for the last game and create an upset at Keysborough. Hopefully, you’ll play on the back green and not the dodgy front green.
SIDE 6 received forfeit from Dandenong Club (1st)
Well, the 6’s are our first confirmed home final sitting on top of the ladder after receiving a forfeit over Dandenong Club. This week they head to Churchill Waverley Park which sees 1st play 2nd. The 6’s couldn’t ask for a better warm up to finals and after a week off they’ll be refreshed and keen to get on the green and secure top spot. .
SIDE 7 51 def by Carrum 2 58 (1st)
Although the 7’s went down this week they still hold top spot and won’t have to play on what can be one of the toughest greens to play on near the beach at Carrum.
Sitting 12 pts clear in front and a game this week against Cranbourne 5, they can’t lose a top two spot, which will see them now confirmed to play a home final on the weekend of 12th March. This week will be a good warm up to finals. A win will see them host most likely host Carrum in week 1 of finals, a loss could see them playing Cranbourne again in the first final at home.
SIDE 8 58 def Murrumbeena 3 50 (2nd)
Another good win away by the 8’s this week. They have also confirmed their home final on the 12th Marchwith a 25 point margin between them and 3rd spot. Another great lead up to finals this week at home against Sandringham 3 and a win could see them pinch top spot and play Beaumaris 5 in the first final or Brighton Beach if they are to stay in 2nd.
So, we’ve locked in 3 home finals already. The 1’s, 2’s and 3’s this week have massive games in contrast of how finals might look for them and whether we have more teams playing at home in week 1 of the finals. The 6’s, 7’s and 8’s have great lead up games before finals the following week and its important that the 4’s and 5’s go out and enjoy themselves and maybe help shape the top 4 in their sections.
Get on the greens, practice with purpose and cross our fingers results are in favour of the wickers next week.