IN an epic conclusion to the midweek pennant season, Portland RSL Memorial Bowling Club claimed a thrilling grand final win on Tuesday over Portland Bowling Club, with the match in Heywood coming down to the final bowl.
RSL trailed by one shot heading into the final roll before Robyn McCabe displayed plenty of poise to take the opposition bowl out and sit alongside the kitty to earn the two shots required to win.
It was a monumental comeback from RSL who trailed early in the day with Portland Bowling Club showing some impressive form at the beginning of the match.
Things were looking grim for RSL which was compounded further by a declared injury on rink one. After reference to the rulebook it meant that in taking on the emergency the team had to be reshuffled with the lead on the rink forced to take on the role of skip without any previous experience.
At the break the deficit was 20 shots and for Memorial it was going to be a huge effort against a competent and confident opposition.
Memorial were able to claw their way back into the game after the break and with scores reading 45-all from 48 ends, only one or two shots separated the score moving forward.
On the final end RSL held a seven-shot lead, before Portland moved one shot ahead at the finale of the first two rinks, leaving the third rink to determine the win with the game-winning shot from RSL’s McCabe.
The scores on the Fasoli rink finally read McCabe 26 to Heather Burgess 14.
RSL led this rink all day and McCabe and her team of John Wallis, Robert Liddle and Leanne Evison were able to support her with consistent delivery of bowls throughout the day.
RSL’s Marion Husson and her team trio of Kathryn Beauglehole, Terry Stanley and Peter Fasoli were slow to start but with a determined fortitude broke the deficit existing on the score board at the break; Memorial 6 shots to Portland 9 shots.
They consistently worked at adding to their shot tally whilst attempting to keep Portland’s gains to a minimum, only allowing them four shots after the break.
It was a tight game throughout where every bowl was delivered under immense pressure. Final scores on this rink was Memorial 17 to Portland 13.
RSL’s June Leahy had the support of Gerry Watt, Ted Leahy and Joan Englezos and found they were caught off guard with a very accurate opposition led by Shirley Rogers.
The team found it very hard to score winning shots. At the break, the team were down by 13 shots; Portland 18 to Memorial 5.
This however provided the impetus to put forth a challenge to minimise the scoring opportunities of the opposition which they were able to do, gaining 11 shots to bring their score within six shots of the opposition.
Portland meanwhile had only added on five more shots within that time frame.
Unfortunately, a significant multiple in the very late stages of the game bought the difference back to a similar deficit at the break.
Final scores on this rink were Portland 31 to Memorial 16.
Weekend pennant
Unfortunately the Weekend Pennant results played last weekend saw RSL’s division two and three teams falling short in their preliminary final endeavours to make it the grand final.
Division two was played at Heywood and the combatants were Hamilton Gold and Memorial, Gold finishing higher on the ladder.
The game was close for most of the day, and Memorial had their opportunities but Gold moved ahead towards the end of the game and came out as the side to play Portland Gold in the grand final. Final scores on the day were Memorial 53 to Hamilton Gold 63.
Leonie Buchanan and her rink of player support being Ted Leahy, Terry Barclay and Uppie Angelino were 10 to 12 at the break. Despite the best of efforts by the team, gaining shots for either side was proving tricky with the developing wind creating some havoc on the green. The team were unable to close the gap. Final scores on this rink were Buchanan 17 to 22.
Peter Fasoli led his team combo of Bob McIntrye, Robert Liddle and June Leahy to a win of 20 shots to 14. Memorial were quick off the mat and were able to have a lead of six shots at the break. They continued to combine well as a team and apply consistent bowls to lead comfortably for the remainder of the game.
Gerry Watt supported by Trevor Wynniat, Ian Benbow and Rod Beauglehole were able to claim a lead at the break of two shots. Unfortunately, after the break the tide of gaining shots waned and Hamilton Gold were able to step into top gear. Final scores on the rink were Memorial 16 to Hamilton Gold 27.
On the west side of that game, Hamilton and Memorial scrapped all day with scores never getting far apart. At 21 ends 23 all. At 42 ends Hamilton 39 Memorial 38. As ends wore away the tension was palpable. With one end on each rink to play scores were 54 all. Terry Stanley and his team of Meredith Fredericks, Jack Rees and Peter Sierat worked hard. Despite being behind for most of the game they were able to maintain a steady margin deficit making the opposition work hard for their shots. Final scores on this rink were Stanley 20 to 25.
David Garnier led Pearl Kitt, Robyn McCabe and Martin McKeever to a winning rink for the day. At the break they had a handy lead of seven. They were able to maintain the lead for the remainder of the game with the opposition getting to within four shots at one stage. Final scores on this rink had Garnier winning by five shots; 18 to 13.
Tink Imbi and his support crew of Peter Pevitt, Ian Merrett and Ernie Arnold were always threatening against a tough Hamilton opposition. At the final end, with the other two rinks completed the teams were two shots apart in Hamilton’s favour. Peter Pevitt drew a pearler to be millimetres in front of the opposition’s bowl. Skip, Tink put down a great last bowl that only missed by the narrowest of margins in creating a draw on the score card. Unfortunately, the best planned placements don’t always happen in the game of bowls. This meant that the opposition won the game by three shots. Tink’s rink amassed 17 shots to 20. The final overall scores on the day were Memorial 55 to Hamilton 58.
Tomorrow’s pennant grand finals sees division one (Portland v Balmoral) and division two (Portland Gold v Hamilton) playing at Penshurst, while division three (Hamilton v Coleraine) and division four (Coleraine v Dartmoor) will be at Heywood.
