Well after all that exhausting heat the weather god was good to us and we were able to resume hostilities on the bowling green on Saturday. With it being the third last round we needed to play well and rack up some points, which the first and second sides did in spades. The Ones achieved the maximum and the Twos did the next best thing in scoring 17 points. Both wins should put a bit of confidence back into the bowlers, as with two rounds left we have three of our four teams in the four, but it is tight for the Ones and Fours, a little easier for the Twos. BUT, nothing is certain in love or war, so they tell me, and ladder positioning at the end is also important, so it’s not the time to sit back and think we have it in the bag, but it is the time to remain positive, believe in your ability and be confident.
So, on Saturday the First side went to Doncaster and came away with four rinks up and 18 points, however, it wasn’t a walk in the park. Aaron Van Haaften’s rink had a fight on their hands and thanks to some very good bowls in the final end put down by “Jock” Meade (you can back him in) they got up by three shots. Rod Kerrison’s rink had a very keen tussle and after a bit of nail biting, sneaked in by one shot. Peter Watson’s rink eased the pressure somewhat with a six shot win and Andrew Dalli’s rink made certain Rosanna was safe with an eleven shot win. 21 shots on the plus side helped Rosanna’s cause, as things are very tight on the ladder, as the actress said to the Bishop on a very auspicious occasion. But I digress, what I was meaning to say was that only 17 points separate 2nd and 6th sides and Rosanna is in fourth place, six points ahead of Hurstbridge and eleven points ahead of Greensborough.
Next week we play Ivanhoe (1st) at Ivanhoe, whilst Hurstbridge (5th) play Heidelberg Golf (8th) and Greensborough (6th) play Donvale (2nd). It is precarious to say the least.
The Second side hosted Bennetswood who are a top four side, and they did not make it easy for the Goannas, as two of our rinks were put into a losing position until some excellent bowling by Rosanna, produced a tie and a one shot win, on the last ends. Peter Livingsone and Damian Crea’s rinks played very well and won by 9 and 7 respectively which gave Rosanna some leeway, however, Warren Williams rink struggled for most of the day, at one stage dropping behind somewhat alarmingly. They stuck at the task though and did not give up, gaining shots steadily, drawing level on their last end and receiving one point. A great finish by a determined team. Jim Gregory’s rink were staring at a third successive loss and were nip and tuck all day with their opponent. They kept coming from behind and levelling the scores, but could not get away to a clear advantage. They went into the 21st end one shot down and when the skippers presented themselves, Rosanna was 6 shots down at the head. Jim’s first bowl just missed the jack, but did remove one of the six. The opposition skip had the misfortune of snicking the jack with his second shot, reducing their lead to one. With his second bowl, Jim executed the perfect shot, took out their shot bowl and gave Rosanna two shots to win by one. The crowd erupted, and Jimmy was well pleased , as were the rest of his rink. A grand finish indeed.
The Twos are on top of the ladder with 187 points, Montmorency 2nd with 165, so it is a nice buffer as next week we play 3rd placed Chadstone, at Rosanna, and Mont play Murrumbeena Park (7th).
The Third side had an ugly day at Diamond Creek in that they did not score any points. Colin McDonald and Jeff Cook’s rinks fought close battles, each losing by only three shots, however, Glenn Lyon and Kay Plain’s rinks found it a little more difficult going down by a combined 19 shots. They are placed 6th on the ladder with 81 points, 31 behind 4th place with two rounds left to play. Next week they go to Ivanhoe (5th) and would need to get the 18 points to have the faintest flicker of a chance of making finals.
The Fourth side also had a disappointing day in salvaging only 4 points, however, they do remain in contention in third place with 126 points. Paul Gregory and Luke Roche’s rinks were successful with a combined 5 shots up, but the losing margins of the other two rinks soon wiped out our advantage. Next week Rosanna play Templestowe (6th) at Rosanna, so a strong showing at home could consolidate a finals appearance.
In signing off, remember what I keep saying, “the reward of a thing well done, is to have done it”.
Let’s all do it, and what do you think about the ruminations of Veronika and Emilio Crea, who were overheard discussing the topic that a wife should love her husband less, and understand him more, whilst a husband must love his wife more and not try to understand her at all. Hmmm.
Go get ’em, The Tout.
