The world is full of surprises, not just the Rosanna Bowling Club. After a monumental stuff-up last week the Second side, who were comfortably sitting on top of the heap. lost their 17 points from their match against Bennettswood, because we played an ineligible player. I won’t go into all the gory details, suffice to say that our 22 point buffer over second placed Montmorency, was reduced to 5 points with two rounds to be played. The importance of this lies in the fact that sectional finals, this year, will not be played at neutral clubs, so if you finish top in your section, you have the benefit of playing your finals at home.
Bloody minded Bowls Victoria would not heed our explanation for this aberration and, alas, we suffered the consequence.
So, onto this week where our Two’s were up against 3rd placed Chadstone, at home, and Montmorency had to travel to Murrumbeena Park (7th). On the face of it you would think there would be a possibility that Rosanna could lose top spot at the end of the day. Well no! Surprise No.2, Murrumbeena Park whipped Montmorency, who only registered 1 point, whilst Rosanna picked up 18 in mauling Chadstone by 47 shots.
This means, that in the unlikelihood of Rosanna not gaining any points in next week’s final round against Montmorency, they cannot catch us and we will remain on top.
Sometimes, the Gods do smile upon the persecuted.
And so, onto this weekend’s results. The First side (4th) went to Ivanhoe (1st) and showed them how it is done. Four rinks up and a comfortable 26 shot win, but to keep the fans excited Peter Watson, Phil McMahon, Dan Hartrick and Matty Ferguson, sneaked in by the minimum margin of 1 shot. Aaron Van Haaften, Kevin Meade, Rachel Powers and Simon Matthews, had a very nice 12 shot win. Rod Kerrison, Alan Mason, Chris Ball and Margaret Hunt, were victorious by 6 shots, and Andrew Dalli, Damian Jardine, Steven Kovac and Mil Crea, greeted the judge by 7 shots. A great effort all round knocking off the top side on their turf and not conceding a point. Well done indeed. Rosanna 96, Ivanhoe 70, plus 26.
This win has moved Rosanna to 3rd possie on the ladder. Next week’s results will be extremely important because it will determine who finishes where, given that only 12 points separate 2nd and 5th spots. Hurstbridge (121, 5th) play Ivanhoe (156, 1st), Eltham (129, 4th) play Donvale (133, 2nd), Rosanna (131, 3rd) play Heidelberg Golf (80, 8th). A good win here could see Rosanna gain second spot, however, we all know the result of David v Goliath. Complacency is not a word in our Dictionary.
The Second side hosted third placed Chadstone, and as indicated earlier, had a sound win with four rinks up. Putting aside the drama of the preceding week, Jim Gregory’s rink got off to a blinder picking up 9 shots in the first two ends. Warren Williams’ rink was sluggish out of the blocks, but the hare and the tortoise proved to be the case, and they prevailed at the business end. Peter Livingstone’s rink was solid all day and never headed, and Damian Crea’s rink rocked with a very handy win to boost the percentage.
Damian Crea, Robbie Boxshall, Peter Burke and Debbie Jeong, 28 – 15, plus 13. Peter Livingstone, Graham Bright, Colin Watson and Jack Dunbar, 22 – 13, plus 9. Jim Gregory, Don Casey, Veronika Crea and Mark Files, 31 – 13, plus 18. Warren Williams, John Head, Tim Pullyblank and Gwenda Bail, 16 – 15, plus 1.
Rosanna 97, Chadstone 70, plus 41.
Next week Rosanna play Montmorency at Mont.
The Third side also went to Ivanhoe (5th) who were 15 points ahead on the ladder. If they are fair dinkum they should swab the third side. Last week, playing at home they did not register a point. Yesterday, playing away, they registered 16 points, only 4 shots off gaining maximum, and are now only 1 behind Ivanhoe, with an excellent chance of getting into 5th spot. The side will hold its place in Division 5 next season, and are a bit stiff not to be playing finals.
Colin McDonald, Bob Dunbar, Tony Campbell-Burns, Rob Barclay, 23 – 21, plus 2. Glenn Lyons, Ralph Moulden, Ray Prestney and Lorraine Campbell, 23 – 15, plus 8. Jeff Cook, Graeme Bravo, Alan Phillips and Chris Pyke, 19 – 11, plus 8. Kay Plain, Paul Basset, John Couling and Don Cowen, 18 – 21, minus 3.
Rosanna 83, Ivanhoe 68, plus 15.
The Fourth side took on Templestowe at home and registered a very good win, coming home by 21 shots. This sees them in 3rd place on the ladder, 8 points in front of Diamond Creek and only 2 behind second placed Heidelberg Golf. Next week could tell a big story as we play Montmorency (5th) at Mont, and Heidelberg Golf play Diamond Creek at the Creek. Best, we could get into second spot, worst, we could finish 4th. Whatever the outcome, the Fourth side will feature in the finals. Well done.
Paul Gregory, Russell Hyde, Sean Ryan and Trevor Robertson, 20 – 18, plus 2. Luke Roche, Gerry Sheean, Terrye Meade and Michelle Robertson, 20 – 19, plus 1. Leo Bosso, Gae Messina, Sally Quilliam and John Lindley, 30 – 8, plus 22. Ed Sheean, Don Varalla, Sam Mercadante and Robin Doherty, 15 – 19, minus 4.
Rosanna 85, Templestowe 64, plus 21.
The third surprise was that all four sides won, and I say surprise because a couple of sides had been struggling to find the winning post. However, I am delighted that the President had to put his hand in the Club’s pocket, and shout the bar. It really is a joy to see the vibe in the rooms rise to new heights, when we have these successes.
The best winning rinks on the day were: 1st/2nd sides: Jim Gregory, Don Casey, Veronika Crea and Mark Files, 18 plus, and 3rd/4th sides: Leo Bosso, Gae Messina, Sally Quilliam and John Lindley, 22 plus.
The Milestones yesterday were Bob Dunbar, 700 Club games, Warren Williams, 500 Club games and Rob Barclay, 150 Weekend games. Congratulations and well done , may there be many more in store for each of you.
And that brings to a close a somewhat tumultuous week. Let’s keep the momentum going as we come to the final round of this season.
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 was this Matty Ferguson’s mantra when he said, “One lives in hope of becoming a memory”.
Go get ’em, The Tout.
