Hello.  I’d like to introduce myself.  I am The Lizard.  I have been asked to try and keep you updated each week of the Pennant season, on the results of each of the Rosanna Bowling Club’s teams, in both midweek and weekend pennant matches, and where possible to highlight the highlights, and other happenings, that occur on the greens.

I will try to do this honestly and without fear, nor favour, as the season progresses.

For those of you who knew “The Tout” from a season or so ago, you might be interested to learn that I ran into her not so long ago, and she wished to be remebered to all her friends, and others, at the Club.  She told me that she and her husband had had a wonderful holiday, however, she was happy to hand the reporting reins on to new blood, and wished me well in my endeavours.  I only hope that I can live up to her expectations.  So, to the 2024-25 season and what it might bring. 

A new Match Committee for Saturday Pennant has been installed and although one or two are recycled personnel, a positive start has been made with plenty of communiques issuing, to keep members informed of the expectations for the coming season.

The Tuesday Pennant Committee is unchanged from the past few seasons, so they are either doing a great job, or nobody else wants to take it on.  (I think the former).

We are into the pre-season practice match stage, and have had two games set up against other clubs to date for Saturday pennant.  The first, against Donvale a fortnight ago, was cancelled because their organizer, Barry Ferguson, known to many at Rosanna, woosed it, saying it was too cold and miserable for their members to travel to Rosanna.  So be it.

The second match was against Thornbury, organized with Ben Mantynen, another known to many at Rosanna, and played across two sessions.  The first part on Friday night with the No.1 sides of both clubs doing battle under lights.  The second stage was Saturday afternoon where the 2nd and 3rd sides enjoyed each other’s company on the greens.

It must be noted, however, that the Clubs play in different Divisions, and different Sections, so the matching was not quite even, nonetheless it was a very convivial atmosphere and, I believe, enjoyed by everyone.

The results were:  Friday night –

Veronika Crea, Jim Gregory, Damian Crea, Alan Mason 15 – 22.

John Aldridge, Dan Hartrick, (Don’t call me Peter) “Livo” Livingstone, Rowan Sharp 21 – 16.

Robbie “Bocca” Boxshall, Mil Crea, Warren Williams, Matty Ferguson 26 – 11.

Simon Matthews, Steve Kovac, Marcus Hadley, Rod Kerrison 20 – 15.  A good overall win 82 – 64.

Saturday 2nd side:

Fiona Tennant, Nicole Carriero, Kay Plain, Glenn Lyons 25 – 14.

Gwenda Bail, Colin Watson, Kevin Meade, Don Casey 21 – 22.

Robin Doherty, Jack Dunbar, Ian Crawford, Jeff Cook 32 – 10.

Bob Dunbar, John Couling, Graeme Bravo, Leo Bosso 27 – 21.

A solid performance from the two’s with a 95 – 67 win.

A little lesson, I believe for all bowlers, was to be learned from Casey’s rink on Saturday.  I am informed they went into the last end 6 shots up, and were holding 4 before the thirds stepped up to bowl.  After they had delivered their bowls the Rosanna rink was 6 shots down.  This transpired because the Thornbury third played an excellent shot, which found the gap and trailed the jack back to where all the opposition’s bowls were placed.

Unfortunately Casey failed to get his two bowls into the head to cut down the opposition’s score, and the opposing skipper drew his last shot to give the visitors a seven, thus winning the game by one shot.

The lesson is to ensure you have one or two bowls at least, behind the jack.

Side 3:

Chris Ball, Noel Broadhurst, Ray Prestney, Jane Edgcumbe 23 – 13.

Alan Phillips, Gae Messina, Kale Files, Luke Roche 31 – 5.

Kevin Nelson, Lorraine Campbell, Terrye Meade, Russell Hyde 30 – 20.

Neil Andrewartha, Peter Bell, Ralph Moulden, Bec Merrick 24 – 15.

A very good win for the Threes.

Next week, of course, is AFL Grand Final week and no practice has been scheduled, although you would be most welcome to have a roll if you so desired.  The following week we are having a return bout with Thornbury, and more will be revealed later.

Meanwhile, have a wonderful week ahead and I will look forward to keeping you informed into the future.  Keep ’em rolling.

The Lizard.