21 February, 2023

Sunday Pennant Finals

Down to three teams representing Rosanna in the Preliminary Finals last Sunday.  The Fourth Side had to go to Mitcham to play Donvale, and ran into strong opposition.  The Third side went to Lalor, and fought out a close game.  The Second side went to Alphington to play Fitzroy/Victoria whom they beat two weeks ago.  Two disappointing results, one positive result.

The Fourth side played Donvale, whom they had beaten in their home and away fixtures during the year.  At Rosanna they had a 16 shot win, at Donvale they had a two shot win.  Sunday, they had a 16 shot loss.  Brian Tipping, Gae Messina, Terrye Meade and Fotini Hughes went down by 16, 11 – 27.  Colin McDonald, Bob Langdon, Ray Prestney and Noel Broadhurst lost by 14, 13 – 27.  Bruce McDonald, James Inifer, Kale Files and Russell Hyde lost by 4, 21 – 25.  Luke Roche, Bec Merrick, Sally Quilliam and Lorraine Campbell flew the flag with an 18 shot win, 31 – 13.  Having beaten Donvale twice during the season we would have had high hopes of doing the same Sunday, however, it was not to be.  Well done to the Fourth side for a consistent year, and thank you to all those who were a part of the team throughout the season.  Well done.

The Third side played Club Sunbury at Lalor and were beaten by only 3 shots.  It was disappointing as they beat them by 17 shots at Sunbury in the last round, having been beaten by them at Rosanna by 1 shot in round 7.  Being on top of the ladder all of the year would have seen Rosanna start as an odds on favourite, however, as we know, favourites can be beaten and such was the case on Sunday.  Gary Veale, John Couling, Bob Dunbar and Alan Phillips went down by 7, 19 – 26.  Warren Williams, Jane Edgcumbe, Bob Graham and Paul Bassett lost by 1, 19 – 20.  Glenn Lyons, Ralph Moulden, Ed Sheean and Rob Barclay won by 2, 19 – 17.  Leo Bosso, Kay Plain, Gerry Sheean and Jack Dunbar won by 3, 19 – 16.  Thank you to all the players who represented the Third side throughout the year.  Well done

The results mean that the third and fourth sides will still play in Division 6 next season, as we have done this season.

The Second side have turned out to be the swan, morphed from the ugly duckling.  After a dismal start to the season they have perservered and have made it through to the Section Grand Final.  They will come up against Ivanhoe once again in what should be a keenly fought match, no doubt played with some “feeling”.  However, back to Sunday and the game against Fitzroy/Victoria.  A good group to contest a match with.  The results earlier in the year had Rosanna going down by 6 shots, 66 -72, at FV in round 6, but reversing that result in round 13 at Rosanna, 88 – 69, plus 19.

So, at one all, it was an even contest.  Jim Gregory, Graham Howard, Barry Grennan and Graeme Bravo started slowly and found the going difficult early, however, came home with a withering run to agonisingly fall one shot short, 15 – 16.  John Aldridge, Kevin Meade, Veronika Crea and Emilio Crea had an even battle for most of the day, and ran out 6 shot winners, 19 – 13.  Damian Crea, Graeme Bright, Simon Matthews and Robin Doherty had a similar contest with their opponents, and came home by 7 shots, 17 – 10.  Jeff Cook, Don Casey, Colin Watson and Gwenda Bail started the day as if shot from a cannon, and were 12 -1 after six ends, thus setting up the game for Rosanna.  At 18 ends the FV skipper conceded the game with the Rosanna rink leading 25 – 16, and FV in an impossible position to win.  A great victory for Rosanna and hopefully spurring the team into a very positive mindset for next Saturday’s final against Ivanhoe, to be played at East Ivanhoe.

Rosanna 76, Fitzroy/Victoria 55.  Plus 21.

Now, a few acknowledgements from the weekend – Best Winning Rink Saturday – John Aldridge, Kevin Meade, Veronika Crea, Emilio Crea – 11 shots up.  Sunday – Luke Roche, Bec Merrick, Sally Quilliam, Lorraine Campbell – 18 shots up

Milestones – Saturday – Carl Fernandez, 50 Saturday games, Kale Files and Rod Kerrison – 50 Club games.  Sunday – Colin Watson – 550 Club games, Alan Phillps – 200 Club games, Gary Veale – 200 Saturday games.  Congratulations and well done indeed to all those players.

The Final on Saturday will be played at East Ivanhoe.  It’s not too far to go, so come along and support the Two’s in a loud and proud voice.

And before I go we should remember – inspiration is the result of perspiration.      Let’s have plenty of perspiration this coming weekend.

Keep smilin’ and bowl well.

The Tout.