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RECORD WIN PROMOTES THE TWO'S

Posted 10/03/10

I called into the club to watch the two's play the first 'knockout' semi final against Fitzroy/Victoria (27/2).

It was a critical must-win match because if we lost it's another year in Division-6, - so win it we must, and we did in emphatic fashion being rewarded with promotion back up to Division-5.

I wasn't intending to stay for the whole match, but I was simply riveted to the events unfolding.

By the 25th end, a quarter way into the match, KHSC led 39/12, then 51/14 (after 36) and left the green for the tea-break with the main score board boasting a 50 shot lead at 75/25. Simply sensational and certainly uncatchable. I could have left then knowing we had done enough already to win promotion, - but it just got better when the teams went back onto the green running about 14 seconds.

The teams,  & rink scores at the break after 59 ends were;

19/9 (19 ends)

(S) Norm Roughley, (3) Bruce Hexter, (2) Rod Donaldson, (L) Kevin Fowler

22/7 (15 ends)

(S) John Joyce, (2) Neil Hookey, (2) Noel Sayers, (L) Greg Hamilton

24/4 (19 ends)

(S) Mark Stoney, (3) Neil Stoney, (2) Phyl Major, (L) Peter Lambert

17/6 (15 ends)

(S) Con Doherty, (3) Dennis Parks, (2) Geoff Birch, (L) Cheryl Muttock

The fun & excitement didn't end there. It just got worse for Fitzroy/Victoria as they'd virtually been stopped in their tracks by 786th end trailing by 66 shots, and ended the day being belted mercilessly by 97 shots.

97 shots is damn near a record thrashing, - certainly in a finals match one would have thought.

It was a brilliant day for the club. Promotion to Division-5, and the Section final against Bundoora-RSL the following day at Alphington.

Final rink scores;

* Norm Roughley 30/12

* John Joyce 38/14

* Mark Stoney 38/5

* Con Doherty 33/11

Final Total Score 139/42

Posted 23/2/10

Well done to all who competed for Kew Heights in Season 2009-2010 and good luck to the "Two's" who will be playing finals.

Another Ace Social Night

Posted 23/2/10

Gordon Duxbury selected as sexiest man on his table?  Bowls President (Bruce Hexter) and General Manager (Gregg Crane) running the length of the club sans shirts, a range of other people seemingly having seizures in an attempt to imitate Pamela Anderson, what was happening at Kew Heights Sports?  Of course, just another fun night on the Melbourne adult party scene.

The Aces over Jacks social event at Kew Heights Sports last Saturday night was an absolute success.  The club was full of members and guests having fun, competing at trivia and snapping up bargains at the silent auction.  And the sexiest man selection and “Baywatch” imitations were just part of the fun.

Over 130 people attended, many of them new to the club.  All the auction items sold.  The club rocked with laughter in between the intensity of trivia competition.  Con Doherty’s auction masquerade managed to sell and entertain.

A full house, tremendous fun for members and guests and $7500 raised to fund member’s future.  Well done.

Bruce Hexter led the way in delivering the event with support from the Hamiltons, and tremendous work on the night by “cashier” Terri O’Brien and Gregg Crane.  Thanks to all members who supported the event with auction items, with other support and with attendance.

Posted 18/02/10

A triples combination of 'Deadly' Doug O'Connell (Skip), Ray 'Rowdy' Jansen (Second), Ron 'Prez' Makin (Lead) travelled out Wellington Road on Valentine's Day to take on 41 other teams in the annual Mulgrave CC Triples Tournament (2-Bowls).

They combined brilliantly, showing their class by winning all 3 games of 15 ends (x 8, 16 & 13) for a net shots-up total of 37+ on the excellent Mulgrave lawn greens running at 15+ seconds.

They were a class above the rest taking the $750 cash prize and then ran straight into Mulgraves gaming room to celebrate for a few hours... and deservedly so!

Geoff Mathers

Posted 15/02/10

Junior Tennis Member, William Nichols, our section 2 number 1 player, won the Under 12 Schoolboys Championships Tournament before Christmas and has now been picked to be in the top 25 squad in the state by Tennis Victoria.

Robert Leaver also played in the Championships. Well done Will and of course his wonderful coaches Renni and Bill. (Bill was silly enough to say he would buy Robert or Will a new racquet if they won the schoolboys tournament so is rather out of pocket). Robert is hoping the same deal will be on next year! 

Posted 15/02/10

A group of volunteers from Kew Heights manned the BBQ at Bunnings Hawthorn on Sunday. The sizzle was very popular and kept us busy from 9am right through to 4pm. A big thank you for all who help raise over $800 for the Club.

ROUND 16 AT BUNDOORA

Posted 10/02/10

Kew Heights had a disappointing result in last Saturdays round 16 clash against Bundoora-RSL. A 62-shot loss over x 4 rinks, 60/122!

The Teams & Rink Scores.

(S) Neil Jewell – (3)  Graeme Spry – (2) Geoff Mathers – (L) Bruce Hexter

LOST 13/36  (Score @ the break 10/14 after 13 ends.)

(S) Brendan Hoey – (3) Doug O’Connell – (2) Pat O’connell – (L) Denise Knight

LOST 13/26  (Score at the break 6/17 after 14 ends.)

(S) Ray Jansen – (3) Grant Pickering – (2) Ian Feder – (L) Angus MacIsaac

LOST 17/28  (Score at the break 9/10 after 12 ends.)

(S) Gordon Unwin – (3) Peter Scerri – (2) Phyl Major – (L) Ron Makin

LOST 17/32  (score at the break 16/16 after 14 ends.)

FINAL SCORE 60/122.  0/18 Points   (Score at the break 41/57 x 53 ends.).

The Ladder after Round 16.

Bundoora RSL 14w  609+  245

Lalor                14     460+  236

Brighton          14     501+  226

Kew Heights     8     161-   138

Melbourne (2)   7        7+   129

Ivanhoe             6       72-   119

Armadale          6      146-  116

Ashburton         5      233-  105

Keilor              4      215-    86

MCC               1      558-    40

Next Round 17.  v Ashburton 8^th (Home)

Round 18 v Brighton 3^rd (Away on Sunday 21^st.)

Next  weeks round is the last for the Two’s who have a ‘walkover’ in round 18 due to East Ivanhoe’s early season withdrawal from the section.

Kew Heights Twos Match Report Round 16 - 6th February 2010

Posted 09/02/10

Kew Heights Two’s hosted Broadmeadows at home for round 16. The hosts were inhospitable, sending the Broadmeadows team back north with a spanking. The Kew Heights Kites raced to a big win by 59 shots and 3 rinks.

Big was beautiful for Kew Heights. It was the big skips and big players in their rinks who set the platform for the win. The big performers Con Doherty and Mark Stoney led the way with all in their fours tugging hard at the oars from start to finish. Battle speed, attack speed, ramming speed, the Doherty/Stoney crews drove forward, relentless, the assault was ruthless. Quintus Arrius would have been proud. Bowl well, and live!

Con Doherty and his crew (Cheryl Muttock, Geoff Birch and Dennis Parkes) shot across the line by 35 shots, 46-11. Mark Stoney and his crew (Bob Heinemann, Peter Lambert and Neil Stoney) powered to the line with 26 shots up, 37-11. The Neil Hookey crew (Robyn Fowler, Greg Hamilton, and Noel Sayers) had more of a battle, just a canvas in it at the line, a win by 3 shots, 26-23. Alas, Norm Roughley and his cohorts (Kevin Fowler, Tristan Chen and Rod Donaldson) had rougher water. They lost the fight in the last third to go down by 5 shots, 22-27.

Con Doherty’s four crabbed at the start, losing the first two ends. Then the Kew oars dug deep in the smooth running synthetic to surge forward. In the bow, Cheryl was in top form. Geoff Birch in the middle seat, had his red devils skimming right to the jack. In the engine room, big Dennis had the power on, whilst Con stroked extra shots and conversions from his black beauties. Geoff Birch reported that it was a solid team effort from a crew concentrating and just doing the basic things, stroke by stroke, all day. Clear concise leadership helps.

The Doherty four had a big lead at tea, 22 shots. The Broadmeadows boat was dead in the water, winning only three ends and with just 4 shots on the board. It looked like Broady was still tied to the dock, though it was the Kew crew who had skipped away over the horizon.

It was no different after tea. The rating remained high ... row, row, row ... another 20 shots to Kew Heights, only three ends won by Broady. Well done to Con and his crew.

On the Stoney boat, the broad shoulders of Neil Stoney and Mark Stoney provided the power. Bob Heinemann set the stroke, Peter Lambert added to the tempo. The horn blew, the Stoney crew heaved and they shot away. It was 16-3 at tea. Eight of eleven ends won by Kew Heights. The Broady rowers were shipping water, Kew was out of sight. The Kites front end worked so well, Mark just leaned back in the seat and let his crew carry him along.

The Stoney rink for some unknown reason was set apart by half a rink from the other three rinks; perhaps a stronger tide on that side. It proved a master stroke, as the flying jack smacked repeatedly by white meteors was a danger to the adjacent Hookey rink.

Mark Stoney certainly reckons the pre-game roll-ups make a big difference; good starts are the result which often make the difference in the end.

Good work to all on the Stoney boat, good crew work, great result, good fun.

John Joyce was summoned to nuptial events this week so Neil Hookey took the helm. Robyn Fowler was press ganged for her first men’s pennant game. At five foot nothing she looked like a coxswain alongside the towering Hamilton and Sayers. Strong gusts swung from east to south-east, sweeping across the green. The synthetic was unforgiving, the narrow hand sometime looking like a wrong bias whilst the wide hand required an old-fashioned trajectory via the neighboring rink. Robyn Fowler bowls with a size one, so her bowls suffered in the gusts. Nevertheless, she had a great debut match. Noel Sayers was strong and consistent. Greg Hamilton had enough good patches to make his score respectable. The opposition skip bowled well, but Neil made a bigger difference on the day.

All the Hookey rink attended the full hour of pre-game practice, yet had a poor start. The Hookey rink was down 3-9 after seven ends. Then on end ten, Neil converted from 1 down at the crossover, to 3 up with two lovely draw shots including a little shift of the opposition shot. The Hookey crew went to tea on the eleventh end, 11-11. Right after tea, Kew took a 7 shot lead. On end 13, Kew held 1 shot at the crossover. Skip Neil had a trail of the jack and picked up 5 shots. The Kew Heights front end had put bowls behind - thanks said Neil.

Broady fought back. A 10 shot lead at end 21 was whittled down to 3 under a Broady assault. They won the last four ends. The finish could not come quick enough for Kew Heights. But a Kew Heights win was tucked away.

Tristan Chen joined the the Norm Roughley rink, replacing Bruce Pink from last week. Norm and crew held a 12-12 tie at the break. Broady created a real gap right after tea and despite a really good tussle, Kew Heights could not catch up and went down by 5 shots. Excuses - none. The combination were not in as good form as recent weeks though the guys fought hard against a Broady outfit determined to win.

In section three results, Bundoora beat Darebin by 17 shots (three rinks up) - not a dominant performance by the second placed team at home against the bottom team. Fitzroy Victoria beat Montmorency by 11 shots in a battle of the plastics. Greensborough defeated Rosanna by 11 shots whilst Brunswick had the walkover.

Next week, the Two’s play at Brunswick, their last game before the finals. It might be helpful to the selectors, and our team, if people make it known to selectors about any problems with availability over the next few weeks.

Warning - political questions follow:
1. Why did the Twos play on synthetic, won’t the finals be on grass?
2. Duty is not being done as expected; you would not bludge on your mates on the green, so why bludge on your mates off the green?
3. If the duty rink does not know they are duty rink how can they do their duty - selectors, please make this information clearer and more timely; how about bringing back email notification?
 

Rosy Result at Rosanna

Kew Heights Twos Match Report Round 15 - 30th January 2010

Posted 03/02/10

Kew Heights Twos thumped Rosanna by 52 shots in the round 15 match played at Rosanna.  The Stoney and Roughley rinks won by big margins, the Doherty rink came from behind to win by 5 shots whilst the Joyce rink stumbled on the line to go down by 2 shots.

Rosanna has two tift dwarf greens.  They were in excellent condition.  The Twos match was on the western green, timed at 14.5 seconds.  The day was hot.  Con in his pre-match address reminded us the greens would get faster, “so take your grass”.

Mark Stoney and his rink of Neil Stoney, Peter Lambert and Bob Heinemann jumped out of the gates winning the first four ends for a 10-0 start.  After nine ends, seven won by Kew Heights, the Stoney rink was ahead 18-2.  Con said in the address, “put you foot on their throats early”.  This rink did so, well and truly.  They also finished off well, winning the last four ends to block out Rosanna 42-14.  A tremendous 28 shot victory.  Well done to all.   The contributions from all were very solid under Mark’s steady leadership.

Norm Roughley skipped his rink to a 21 shot victory.  Bruce Pink joined Fowler and Donaldson up front.  Again, Kew bolted and led 34-8 at tea.  After tea, Rosanna won seven ends in a row to close the gap to 34-23.  The mid afternoon snooze passed, and Kew drove home strongly to win the last three ends with 10 shots and finish on 44-23.  It was a day of Pink roses as Bruce made a great contribution.  Fantastic effort guys.

Con Doherty and his rink did not listen to Con’s address as they had the foot off the gas early.  They recovered from 6 shots down at end ten to go into tea just up by one shot, 15-14.  Con must have replayed his pre-match advice to his rink as they came out firing.  Con and team only allowed the Rosanna rink four ends after tea.  Con closed out the match 5 shots up at 24-19.  Cheryl let the grass worry her and consequently did not have her best game.  Dennis Parkes remained on song with another strong performance whilst Birchy had his red bowls in the area for a lot of the day.

The Joyce rink faced much older opposition, again.  The Rosanna skip Cec Austin was 91; he played like he was 19.  The Kew rink played lethargically until tea, down 8-14 at the break.  For Kew Heights, concentration was a problem, application a handicap and the bowls slipped past the head like a Siemens train.  With a better input from the front end after tea, Kew Heights closed the gap.  The contest was even on end 22 at 20 all.  On end 24 Kew heights picked up 2 shots to go ahead by one shot on the board.  Victory was in sight.  Alas, a dropped 3 on the last meant a loss for John and his rink of Hamilton, Sayers and Hookey.  It was a flat performance against a dogged set of weathered veterans who pumped each other up all day.  John Joyce is absent next week on nuptial duties.  His loud calls from the head of “long end” will be missed, maybe.  Concentration had better return, the new skip may not be as patient.

All the Kew Heights rinks are showing tremendous spirit.   Encouragement and support, respect and recognition are features of every match..  Any lack of skills and application is well masked by a combination of contributions in a team effort.  Blame is a word seldom heard.  Wind, heat and greens are just challenges (grumbling challenges sometimes of course but not an excuse).  It is our own application within the team that counts. Thanks fellows.

The spirit is reflected in the numbers rolling up for pre-game practice, 14 Kew heights guys were on the rinks at Rosanna, only 3 Rosanna guys turned up for practice.

Kew Heights banked 16 points to remain top of the table.  Bundoora went down by 44 shots at Montmorency to take home only 2 points.  Broadmeadows beat Brunswick, Greensborough beat Darebin.  Kew Heights is top of the table, 19 points clear of Bundoora and 37 points clear of Broadmeadows in third.  The top seven teams are still in the running for a finals birth, three rounds to go.

This week, we welcome Broadmeadows to Barkers Road.  Kew Heights won the encounter on their grass by 45 shots and four rinks.  Broadmeadows beat Brunswick last week by 41 shots and four rinks.  They have had four wins in a row including a walk over so they are back to third on the table, and in form. 

Broadmeadows have Kew this week and then Bundoora at Bundoora in round 18 so they may be under pressure to hold their spot in the four from the plastic crowd of Greensborough, Fitzroy and Montmorency.  All the more dangerous this week.  Heads down, backsides up for a 3-0 finish.  Whilst we can hold a place in the top two spots even if we lose the next two weeks, it would be great to take winning form into the finals.

It's round 15. KHSC is 26 points clear in 4th place on the ladder. We're drawn to play Keilor the team in 9th place, with only 3 wins on the board & destined for relegation. We will play them at Barkers Road, and the only question that remains to be answered is which green to play them on?

This decision is delayed & uncertain until Keilor phones the club to get that answer late on Thursday afternoon, so the snap decision was made, based on if the synthetic green can be prepared to run at 16 seconds, then we'll play them there. The uncertainty was created by the option plan which was to have the show green running at a certain 16 to start, (& this would most likely increase to 17+ secs through the 2nd half) and if so then that would be the chosen theatre of play, but the Keilor call panicked this decision and plastic was the final choice.

The day was perfect. Warm sunshine with a light breeze, - but the plastic was NOT prepared to run at 16 seconds as had been notionalised. It was timed off the chute at 14+ seconds, which was much slower than the initial reason for its use.

That was the first failure.

The second, was that we did not take heed of Grant Pickering's pre-match address where he remained the group that Keilor is poised to give us one rip-roaring 'challenge.' They'd made a number of radical team changes and were aggressively focused on beating us. We had to go out confidently tough & mentally prepared if we were going to succeed in our finals campaign.

We were not. So that was our second failure.

There was hardly a 'Boo' from anyone other than Grant for the first 20 ends, and we were already trailing 14/20 on the big board, - and by the 32nd end were were a further 12 shots behind (19/31) - yet the silence & overall lifelessness continued whilst we were being clearly beaten on all but one rink.

Keilor had come with a plan and were on target, whilst we just watched in amazement as they proved that they could actually bowl, in defiance of their position on the ladder & KHSC expectations.

There is no doubt, in spite of Grant's words, we expected them to be an ordinaire side well below Division-1 (and our own) standard, not a team who could draw tighter, more consistently & convert more often than us. It was KHSC who appeared to be the team not up to the Division-1 standard!!

After 5 & then 10 ends each the rink scores looked like this;

Doug O'Connell 2/5. Then the 10th end score = 2/11
Gordon Unwin    3/9     "   "   "   "   "   " = 3/14
Brendan Hoey    8/4     "   "   "   "   "   " = 8/9
Ray Jansen        3/2     "   "   "   "   "   " = 7/4

At 40 ends we were trailing 20/39 & it was getting worse.

Ray Jansen's rink was leading but being contained in a hell of a tussle with only one multiple, (a x 2 on the 9th) - all the rest were singles until the 25th end.

Brendan Hoey's rink led 8/4 by the 5th (inc a 5 on the 5th) but then lost the next 8 out of 9 ends and went into the tea-break trailing 9/17.
Brendan was bowling well but his rink was just being out played. Hoey must have missed 7 or 8 conversions by only cm's, and couldn't stop Keilor's run.

KHSC went into the break 21 shots down on the main board.. We needed the x 4 rinks to deliver a 5+ shots each better performance than Keilor to get the lead back with 49 ends to play, - but alas, we just went out and played more of the same.

Rink Scores at the break
Doug O'Connell   7/11 (12 ends)
Gordon Unwin      3/12 (9 ends)
Brendan Hoey     9/17 (14 ends)
Ray Jansen         8/5 (12 ends)

Main board score at the break = 28/49 x 51 ends.

We appeared to just be playing a similar loose style of game. We didn't consciously change the rhythm in the losing rinks. We just kept hoping things would get better where one of the losing rinks would start a charge.
None did, and that was our third failure.

Keilor had grown their lead to 30 shots by the 70th end, (38/68) with no resistance from us. We were making no impact on the main board defecit.

The miserable day ended with Kew Heights down 25 shots, and only Ray Jansen taking a 2-poinit rink win, although he didn't get it all his own way even though he'd led 15/9 after the 21st. His rink then lost the next 3 to lead by only one shot going in to the 25th with the score at 15/14.

Ray Runting & Angus MacIsaac opened the last end drawing their bowls in tight on the cake under pressure to hold on to the 2 point rink win. This forced Keilor to play with weight chasing the win, but for once it didn't work and they dropped a SIX, for Ray to secure two very valuable points for the Club.

With the exception of Jansen's rink, it appeared that the leads & seconds were generally too loose and erratic, leaving the job to the top end to save too often.
That's not how Division-1 teams play, least of all a finals team, which we won't be unless we improve this critical part of the team game.

For instance in Brandan Hoey's rink KHSC were UP at the head at the change-over eleven times out of the 26 ends played. That means the skip has to try & convert 15 ends for the match. No one will do that and we didn't,
in spite of Brendan drawing close many times trying to save.

If KHSC is going to be a finalist with 3 rounds to go, our leads and 2nds need to improve their game by as much as 20%. Not just 4% or 5%. If that doesn't happen, we'll not retain 4th place. That's another 10 tight shots required for the pennant arvo' that we only occasionally deliver.

One tight draw-bowl approx every 4th bowl is Division-3 stuff. It simply must improve if we are to hold the 4th ladder spot. We've proven that we can do better, but we don't do it often enough. Where we appear to fail continuously is where the leads, 2nds & 3rds get their first on and in tight, - yet their 2nd bowl is no-where near the first & too often way off target & not even in the head.

The Teams & Rink Scores v Keilor. Round 15.

(S) 'Deadley' Doug O'Connell, - (3) Peter Scerri, - (2) Pat O'Connell, - (L) Bruce Hexter
LOST - Final Score 18/23

(S) Gordon Unwin, - (3) Graeme Spry, - (2) Phyl Major, (L) Ron Makin
LOST - Final Score 13/28

(S) Brendan Hoey, (3) Ian Feder, - (2) Geoff Mathers, (L) Denise Knight
LOST - Final Score 15/27

(S) Ray Jansen, (3) Grant Pickering, (2) Angus MacIsaac, (L) Ray Runting
WON - Final Score 21/14

Final Match Score 67/92

A FEW MATCH HIGHTLIGHTS.
There were few highlights that provided any enjoyment or pleasing amusement.Mostly (except for Jansen's rink) the days play took on the characteristics of a train wreck.

* The tightest match of the afternoon was Ray Jansen's rink. It was 25 ends of 21 single scores.
There were only 4 multiple end scores combined in the 25 end match. That's how tight it was, with KH scoring a two on the 9th, and 6 on the last.
All the rest were singles. And they scored a 2 on the 14th & a 3 on the 23rd.That's damn near a record number of singles in a pennant match.

* When 'Deadly' Doug is down at the head you know about it. His body language isn't exactly subtle, as Peter Scerri was heard
to identify when a bowl didn't go where 'Deadly' wanted it!

* One 3 occasions Brendan Hoey was holding 2 or 3 shots, only to see the Keilor skip play inaccurately & watch his bowls bounce off
wide bowls not in the count & cannon off 2 or 3 others into the jack or take out our shot bowl. Luck was certainly with 'em all day.

* On our slower running synthetic green it was disappointing to watch Keilor handle it much better than us, right from the start, and they just grew in confidence,
whilst we continued to be generally narrow or short.

* It appeared that all x 4 skips were up and at 'em most ends, but they did not have the material from the up fronters to work with.

* Next week will see the return of Neil Jewell, and Justin Donaldson who were unavailable for round 15.

* The dilemma the selectors must resolve is;.....
Do they select the strongest 16 players for the top-side to try and retain 4th position & a finals play-off? (A final we would almost certainly lose against top of the ladder Bundoora RSL)
OR
Do we focus on retaining the strongest possible team in the Magoos to achieve the committee's pre-season objective of seeking to have them promoted to Division-5 next season?

The best of both worlds could be achieved in Round 17 (v Ashburton) where by promoting players from the TWO's to the top side has no effect on their eligibility to play in the Two's final, - but it would boost the top-side against Ashburton, - in a match that is as critical as the final itself. Win it and we should hold 4th place, lose it and we will finish about 6th. Remember too that the Two's have a walkover in Round 18 so there will be 32 players from which to select the top-side in that match v Brighton (At Brighton on their new indoor blue carpet.) That's winnable too.

* The players from the two's who's names will be on the table in the top-side selection mix for round 17 & 18 should include;
- Con Doherty - Mark Stoney, - Neil Stoney, - Janet Lannigan, - Phyl Major, - Bruce Hexter.

Next Weeks Round 16.

v Bundoora RSL - away.

Round 17. v Ashburton - Home

Round 18. v Brighton - Away. (Played on Sunday 21st Feb.)

The Ladder After Round 15:
Bundoora RSL   13w, - 547+ - 227
Lalor                    13 - 414+ - 219
Brighton              13 - 448 - 209
Kew Heights        8 - 99- - 138
Melbourne 2        7 - 89- - 120
Armadale             6 - 127- - 112
Ivanhoe                 6 - 168- - 110
Ashburton            5 - 180- - 104
Keilor                   4 - 169- - 85
MCC                    0 - 577- - 26
 

Australia Day Terrific Triumph for Kew Heights

Posted 27/01/10

The Australia Day Open Fours event held at Kew Heights Sports last Tuesday was a resounding success on all fronts.  For the first time in years, all rinks were full with 42 strong teams from far and wide.  The weather was perfect, warm and mostly sunny with a gentle southerly after lunch.  The organization worked smoothly whilst the catering team performed miracles in supplying a delightful lunch and afternoon tea for the 200 visitors.

The event was won by Jason Saunders of Melbourne Bowls club, skipping a Premier division group.  His Third was Ben Loughlin of Altona, the Second was Simon Jeffrey of Melbourne and Chris Ball of Altona provided the Lead.  The Saunders combination beat last year’s winners, a Brighton First division group with Australian player Lee Schraner as skip.

The standard of competition was very high, premier and first division players scattered amongst many teams.  Six teams won all three games, though only four with the highest shots up made the semi finals.

The Kew Heights rink of Mark Stoney, Neil Stoney, Phyl Major and Judy Stoney were best third game winners - money back on the day, well done.  Con Doherty’s rink also did well, winning their first game 21-2 and winning the last game.  However, in game 2, they lost 5 on the last 2 ends to go down by 1 shot - so close to getting a semi spot.

Organization of the event had Greg Hamilton up front as Tournament Director but it was a mighty team effort by a big bunch of great Kew Heights members who sacrificed their time and energy to help. Bruce Hexter lead the house team, Geoff Mathers did a fantastic job with publicity/sales and Judy Hamilton led the huge catering effort.  Greens Keeper Andrew Rigg and GM Gregg Crane put in huge efforts to support the event.  Bruce and Greg thank all the men and lady members (and member’s partners) who worked so hard on all the myriad of activities needed to make a tournament such as this a success.  We hope you enjoyed the day as well.

As an example of the smooth running, at lunch over 150 players were served lunch main course in a 20 minute period.  My Kitchen Rules?  No, it is the Kew Heights kitchen that really rules.

We could not run these days without the support of sponsors.  On this occasion Carpet Choice, Ultratune Hawthorn and De Bortoli wines were  outstanding in their support.  Please support them when you need a quote for carpet, your car serviced or when having a quiet drink.

Success was achieved by lots of planning, keen and selfless workers, and good publicity and sales work.  Financially, the event was outstanding (up 40% on last year).  All members will benefit from this contribution to club finances. Thanks again to all those who made the effort to be part of the Kew Heights team on the day.

No Pity for Darebin City

Posted 27/01/10

In round 14, at home, Kew Heights Twos crushed Darebin City by 61 shots, 130-70.  All four Kew Heights rinks won.  The team psychologist said the Kites should turn out on their synthetic green to overcome any phobias ingrained after last weeks’ debacle on carpet.  At the age of most of the Kites team, they can’t remember last week anyway.

The approach was positive.  Rod did the motivation  speech again - this time shorter.  Neil Hookey rushed back from holidays to fill in after a late drop out.  The sun shone.  The Kew rinks performed - 18 points banked and top of the table position maintained.  The nice Darebin guys were sent home to remain dwelling in second last position - no pity for the City.

Con Doherty and his rink were on some special drug as they won 46-8.  Last week they struggled, this week they shone.  What was different?  Well, Peter Lambert was moved to the Stoney rink switching with Geoff Birch.  So it must be Birchy who lifted the team?   The official report from Con says all his rink played extremely well.  Terrific performances from the front end made his job easier, so he was able to add or convert more often when needed.  Con lost the first end then won the second with 6 shots.  After that, it was history for Darebin.  Congratulations to all - Cheryl, Geoff and Dennis Parkes.

Norm and his rink returned to form.  Kevin Fowler has his best game of the season, starring and setting up a good win by 11 shots, 30-19.  Rod Donaldson and Phyl Major played solidly in the middle whilst Norm was at home on our synthetic.

The John Joyce rink hammered out an 8 shot victory, 28-20.  Greg Hamilton was opposed to a 92 year old lead in Cliff Griggs. Cliff stuck a few on the jack, he looked like he had done it plenty of times.  A solid all round effort from the Joyce rink helped them prevail.  No stars, no duds this week.  The Darebin skip (Radar Ray) was deadly, adding shots and converting frequently.  Kew won 14 ends but were holding at the changeover to skips 20 times.

The Stoney rink was under pressure from the start.  Mark Stoney skipped, Neil Stoney was Third, Peter Lambert Second and the returning Bob Heinemann held Lead.  After two ends Kew Heights was down 0-7; after 7 ends, the gap was 3 shots, at tea, Kew was down 7 shots.  Kew did not grab the lead until end 24 then another 2 on the last end gave Kew Heights a win by 27-23.  Good work to this rink for never giving in and fighting it out right to the death.

In division 6 section 3 results, Bundoora belted Fitzroy by 30 shots and 4 rinks, Greensborough won at home to Montmorency by 46 shots and 3 rinks, Brunswick at home had a close one with Rosanna by 6.5 shots and 2 rinks each whilst Broadmeadows had the walkover.

This week, Kew Heights travel to Rosanna. We beat them easily at home by 70 shots, but with 6 wins this season, they do have the capability of testing Kew Heights.  And we only won 3 rinks last time.  Kew needs 4 rink wins to keep Bundoora at bay.  So up and at them this weekend.

Posted 25/01/10

Round-14 Div-1 Sect-1 Match Report v MCC at Swinburne Av. 23/1/10

The top-side arrived to play MCC at Swinburne Avenue on Saturday for an early roll-up to be greeted by misty rain and a green running at best 10–11 seconds. (The timing announcement was 13 seconds, but to reach that speed they must have used their fingers or an abacus!!) Over the full distance in the warm up, the only way you’d get your bowl near the ditch was to play with driving weight, and you were still short!! That’s how slow it was at the start.

And that’s how slow we were to get in the groove and treat the game as a serious contest for vital match points, and not just a social friendly roll in the park, against this surprisingly winless pennant team.

A combination of this wet slow green and playing against the winless bottom side put us in a lack lustre frame of mind believing perhaps that we’d only need to go through the motions, and would never be threatened.

Well, we were challenged. Even though we were never headed at any stage through the match, MCC did get to within 7 shots on the main board in that danger period for us just after the break. We’d gone into the tea-break with an eleven-shot lead and x 3 rinks up.(52 ends) Only ‘Deadly’ Doug O’Connell’s rink was trailing 11/15.

MCC were playing better than the team that will be relegated to Division-2 next season, - but we too had started to warm up to the challenge with the emergence of clear sunny blue skies & the green quickening about one second.
By the 69th end the lead was back to 12, & after 80 ends it was 23 shots. We left the green after 100-ends with 16 points and a 25-shots in the bank, consolidating our 4th position on the ladder & increasing the margin between us & 5th place to 26 points. (Widened x 6 points from round-13.)

It should have been more, but it ended a workmanlike day at the office with 3 rinks up & only Brendan Hoey going down by 4, - although he did have a chance to save the rink with his last bowl. He was one down on the head, and only needed to trail the open cake about 30cm’s for 6+shots. His bowl weight and line were almost perfect, as he managed to rub the jack on arrival but only moved it one inch.

The big winner was Ray Jansen’s rink boasting 38/18. By the 22nd end he led 36/12, but then dropped 6 over the next x 2 ends to return the generosity & hospitality of the day. Ian Feder, Ray’s 2nd put in a pearler in the slower conditions.

Gordon Unwin’s rink copped a last gasp challenge when leading 21/12 to let MCC take the last 3 ends and get within 3 shots. Trevor Hookey played his first game with the club this season as Unwin’s 2nd, replacing the unavailable Angus MacIsaac and performed like he’d never been away from the green. And Ron ‘Prez’ Makin returned to the comfort of the lead role that he’d stamped as his own with an outstanding season thus far.

‘Deadly’ Doug O’Connell didn’t have it his own way much to his angst, and trailed for 14 ends from the 9th to the 23rd before stamping his authority on the match. He then claimed the last 7 consecutive ends, including 8 of 9 to eventually take the 2 rink points 27/21 including a 4 on the last just to ice the cake.

At one stage around the 20th end, Doug was overheard to say to one of our other skips, “they’ll have to start paying me after this!!!.” Jokingly of course, such was the way he was playing and he was loving it.

Brendan Hoey couldn’t get the win double in his 2nd match for KHSC. After a super-tight 1st half leading 10/8, his rink dropped 8 of the next 9 ends, plus one end killed by MCC when we were holding 2+, and the replay was the only end won since tea before winning 3 of the last 4. The MCC’s 3rd & skip repeatedly converted many winning KHSC heads, which is why they won 14 of the 25 ends. That conversion strike rate was the rink difference. We were always close, and near-misses, but just didn’t deliver the conversion numbers that usually we might. Denise Knight (L) Geoff Mathers (2) and Neil Jewell (3) played steadily.

A few match highlights v MCC

• Looking across at Doug O’Connell’s rink it is impossible to tell who’s bowl it is holding shot as 3 of the 4 use lemon yellow bowls. (Bruce Hexter, Pat ‘Patto’ O’Connell & ‘Deadly’ Doug) Only Peter Scerri uses a burgundy. But then who cares, so long as it’s one of ours.
• With Gordon Unwin’s rink leading on the board @ 21/17 he’s 5-down on the 24th end and it’s looking grim until Graeme Spry draws one close for 2nd shot to virtually seal the 2 points for KHSC.
• After dropping 7-ends on the trot, Brendan Hoey’s rink is holding a bare one on the 22nd only to see it taken out by MCC, but Hoey then dead draws it back for 1+ & stop the rot.
• Ray Jansen is growing his form & precision, which was no less evident than on the 4th (leading 4/1) when he was 4-down on the head, he drives to kill, - and succeeds, although they did drop one on the replay.
• There was virtually no in-between for the jack-length right through the match. The skips either called for the jack to be rolled to the full or minimum distance. Obviously the slow damp surface was not going to be easy, and they no doubt thought we would struggle more over the long ends.
• In the Hoey versus Norm Hayes rink there’d been a bit too much luck happening for MCC early in the match. For instance on the 3rd Hayes gets a rub-in to take the shot from a very wide wayward bowl, when we were holding 2+. Then on the 4th end when 1-down, Hoey plays the perfect 3’-through draw shot taking the cake with him, - only to watch it roll on too far and we drop another 1-.
• Deadly-Doug O’Connell drops a 5 of the 6th but then regains it on 7 & 8 with a 4 & 1 to get his team back to 9/9.
• Ray Jansen’s rink collects a 5+ on the 7th end, when the nearest bowl was at least a meter. MCC had 6-feet to draw to win the head, and their skip wizzed through with both. Oh dear!
• ‘Deadly-Doug’ is 3-down on the crossover with his rink score locked together 21/21 over a long end on the 22nd. He draws off the jack to take 3+
• Gordon Unwin was in fine tune to start the match. He was holding 2+ on the first end crossover, and then moved MCC’s 3rd shot out for a 5+ jump start.
• We arrived at MCC expecting the green to run as swiftly and freely as ours. That’s it’s reputation but it was dead slow, and the light misty shower at 11am (for around 60 minutes) was hardly likely to even register, but the green was VERY wet. One of their two greens was out of use and under major repair, so maybe the greenkeeper had watered it heavily to help protect it against the forthcoming projected heat wave, as one of their players said - “it had been very slow on Friday too.” (The day prior)
• It’s unusual to see an MCC team winless and on the bottom of the ladder destined for relegation. The unconfirmed story is that both their Division-1 teams are in trouble. The other with only x 4 wins. So the club had decided to put all their trumps into the Section-2 team & try and stave off relegation to at least retain one Division-1 team next season.
• It was great to see an old Australian Test cricket hero in the MCC team. Left arm googly spinner Lindsay Kline plays with the MCC.
One of the few players to take a test ‘hat-trick’ against India, and he is frozen in time by the photograph of him & Ian Meckiff running between wickets during that infamous tied test against Frank Worrell’s West Indies at the Gabba in the 60’s. He played about a dozen test for Australia, and also played district cricket for MCC.

The Teams & Rink Scores (v MCC round 14)

(S) Ray Jansen – (3) Grant Pickering – (2) Ian Feder – (L) Ray Runting
Won 38/18 They led 19/10 at the break.

(S) Doug O’Connell – (3) Peter Scerri – (2) Pat O’Connell – (L) Bruce Hexter
Won 27/21 They trailed 11/15 at the break.

(S) Brendan Hoey – (3) Neil Jewell – (2) Geoff Mathers – (L) Denise Knight
Lost 16/20 They led 10/8 at the break.

(S) Gordon Unwin – (3) Graeme Spry – (2) Trevor Hookey – (L) Ron Makin
Won 21/18 They led13/9 at the break.

The Ladder after Round 14.

Bundoora RSL  13w 557+ 223
Lalor                   12 347+ 201
Brighton             12 438+ 195
Kew Heights      8 74- 136
Armadale           6 110- 110
Melbourne          6 106- 104
Ashburton          5 172- 102
Ivanhoe              5 176 94
Keilor                 3 194 69
MCC                  0 510- 26

Next Weeks Match. Round 15 v Keilor @ Barkers Road.
Round 16 v Bundoora RSL (A)
Round 17 v Ashburton (H)
Round 18 v Brighton (A) Sunday 21st Feb

Semi Final Sat 27 Feb
Sect Final Sun 28th Feb
 

Posted 20/01/10

We have been lucky enough to secure the rights to man the Bunnings Hawthorn BBQ Tent on Sunday 14th February. We need volunteers to help on the day - there will be a morning shift and an afternoon shift, please contact the Office or email info@kewheights.com.au if you are available. This will be a good fundraiser for the Club!

Posted 19/01/10

How are you going with items for the TRIVIA & SILENT AUCTION NIGHT?

We have had a very good response from a number of members so far but we still need a lot more items for this to be a successful night,

PLEASE HELP

If you can drop the items into the office with Gregg or Sylvia prior to the 15th February that would be great, the earlier the better!

Regards,

Bruce Hexter on behalf of your Social Committee

PS. When your invitation to the ACES OVER JACKS Challenge Trivia & Silent Auction night on Saturday 20th February comes out book early, don't miss out!

Posted 19/01/10

The Australia Day Open proudly supported by Carpet Choice, Ultratune Hawthorn and De Bortoli Wines is shaping up to be the best tournament in years.

Entries are strong and the greens are in excellent condition.

Carpet Burns

Kew Heights Twos Match Report Round 13 - 16th January 2010

Posted 19/01/10

An enthusiastic Montmorency team thrashed Kew Heights by 25 shots on Montmorency’s slick carpet.  Kew had one rink win to come away with 2 points.  Kew retain top spot on the table by 5 points but this is little comfort for what was a poor performance.  Kew was well burnt.

Montmorency had relaxed the tension in the carpet to make it run a little slower.  Whilst it probably ran under 16 seconds, it had no grip and bowls ran every which way in the swirling wind.  The carpet was less tense,  Kew players seemed all tension.  They also blew this way and that way with the wind.

A dozen keen Kites turned up early and practiced well.  The motivating speech by Rod was pertinent and encouraging.  Three Kew rinks started with winning ends.  Promising start.  It was the middle and finish that really did the damage.

The Norm Roughley rink of Kevin Fowler, Rod Donaldson and Phyl Major were up 10 shots at tea but struggled to hold back a fast finishing Montmorency.  Kew lost the last four ends to have a 9 shot lead whittled to 3 to win 23-20.  But it was a win.  Kevin, Rod and Phyl put in sound performances.  Norm’s straight weighted shots were less effective on the carpet.  A five on end five and a six on end 10 helped the Kew cause as they only won 12 ends.

Con Doherty and his rink went down by 7 shots, recovering from 14 shots down at end 17.  Dennis Parkes had a solid day but others were inconsistent.  Con and Peter Lambert had days well below par.  This rink has fired this year, but it was all ashes at Montmorency.

Mark and Neil Stoney came down from the Firsts to make up a rink with Ian Smith leading and Geoff Birch at Two.  The front end did not contribute.  This rink were under pressure all day, down 16 shots on end 18, they came home better and went down by 8 shots.  Stoneys, thanks for joining us, we will see if we can offer more than pairs next week.

The rink skipped by John Joyce had been undefeated as a group this season. To boost Kew’s confidence, one Montmorency player did not turn up so it was four Kites against three.  And the three Montmorency veterans averaged 80 years old, and hobbling like some failed orthopedic experiments.  All used bowling arms.  The big fit Kew guys of Joyce, Hookey, Sayers and Hamilton looked like Adonis compared to the fragile opposition.  For Montmorency, it was Albert, Les and Eric - nice guys, smiling assassins.  They killed Kew. The swinging arms and three chances suited them well as they valiantly shuffled Kew out of the match.

Kew won the first three ends and at tea had six ends won and only down by 4 shots.  The pattern this season is for this rink to come out after tea and dominate.  At Montmorency the rink was occupied by impostors.  Only Noel Sayers played OK.  Kew won 3 of 14 ends after tea and had a disgraceful 5 down on the 24th and 25th ends - losing ten shots to finish down 38-15, after deductions 28.5 to 15.  A different finish on the last 2 ends may have seen Kew win.

In Division 6 section 3 results, Bundoora RSL had the walkover against East Ivanhoe so banked 18 points, Brunswick beat Darebin at Darebin by 26 shots and 4 rinks, Broadmeadows beat Rosanna at Rosanna by 32 shots and 3 rinks, and Fitzroy Victoria at home beat Greensborough by 35 shots and 4 rinks.

Kew has held onto top spot by 5 points from Bundoora, then follows Fitzroy and Broadmeadows.  Greensborough has slipped down the table to equal fifth with Montmorency.

Next week the Twos play Darebin City at Kew.  They have grass, should we play then on our synthetic?  Not until the carpet burns heal.

Match Report Round 13 v Melbourne Division 1. 16/01/10

Posted 18/01/10

In what was to be a critical match for the KHSC top side against 5th placed Melbourne.- We simply blew them away after a few shaky moments immediately following the break to run away with a 23 shot & 16 point victory to secure the club in 4th position by one clear match. (18 points) So the win was to prove very telling in terms of how the final 4 structure will be shaped after 5 more rounds.

The green conditions were perfect, (starting at around 14+ & finishing closer to 16+ seconds) save for the gustiness & swirling behaviour of the wind that played havoc with lazy bowls leaving a lot of players red-faced & grasping for excuses.

Melbourne arrived at Barkers Road with the positive belief they would roll us again after they had blown us away at Union Street in round-4, when we had taken a 20 shot lead into the break, only to see it disappear within the space of the next 8-ends, and we then just collapsed as an easy victim to their loud vocal energy & enthusiasm.

That memory was indelibly engraved in every KHSC player’s mind when we walked to the green last Saturday, and hit it running, racing away to a 20 shot lead by the 29th end, and then led the Demons into the club house after 40 ends with the main board reading 48/35. Three rinks were up and ‘Deadly’ Doug was tied at 8/8.

There were a few nervous nellies when we returned to the wind-swept show-green. Could it be dejavu? Could we blow this 13 shot lead the second time around? The anxiety was deafening.

So, over the first 10 ends following the break, Melbourne reduced the deficit to 9 shots (57/46) and the you could feel the tension, listening to the youthful Melbourne boys becoming much more vocal, as if they could feel the surge coming on again, and they reminded their 4 rinks out loud numerous times to remember how we (KHSC) had collapsed against them in round-4, - but by the 68th end we were still 10 shots clear with only Gordon Unwin’s rink trailing by 5 shots.

We were holding on and by the skin of our teeth and some heavy scoring by our new skip Brendan Hoey who was leading by 20 shots. The main board lead had been whittled down to only 5 shots before we all erupted in a confidence boosting roar, on hearing the loud shouts of excitement from 3 of our rinks almost simultaneously with cries of FOUR, FOUR, THREE, and our lead was out to 14. That was to be Melbourne’s last hurrah & you could see them wilt. They knew they were done.

From the 80th end with the big board showing 89/75 we didn’t display one negative thought and just built on our authority getting away to a 23 shot margin, that was too big for them to reel in, and we held that margin right to the end.

Brendan Hoey skip’d his first match in Kew Heights colours and blew his opponent off the green with a 41/21 first up win. He had led 35/15 by the 21st end, but dropped 6 shots over the final 4 ends.

Brendan has been an acclaimed Premier Division skip over the past decade, and his lead, (and partner) Denise Knight, very convincingly led for him with her bright red bowls. (She has represented Victoria over a number of years with distinction.)

The Hoey rink’s presence on the green with us for the remainder of the season will no doubt spook those teams above us who think we’ll be the fait accompli win that they’ve already pencilled in.

Ray Jansen was never headed after the 3rd end. He & his rink displayed their winning authority throughout to take the 2-points by 7 shots. His re-jigged rink had all the answers, with a terrific display from his 2nd, Ian Feder, and some timely conversions from his new 3rd Grant Pickering.

‘Deadly Doug O’Connell took on the challenge of the ‘Old-Grey-Mare’ himself, Arnold O’Brien, - who in his 80th year is still destroying the ego’s of many of his younger opponents in Division-1, and it wasn’t much different on Saturday, except that Doug wore him down, and finally revealed a few cracks in the old warrior’s armour.

The biggest lead in their match was 2/6 after the 5th. From there on it was nip & tuck, and by the 24th end they’d won 12 ends each, with one to play, and the rink score locked together at 19/19. Rink contests don’t get any more even than that.

Arnold gave the mat away, (so he’d have the last bowl) and Bruce Hexter rolled the jack to the full distance and then proceeded to draw both his sparkling lemon bowls within a mat length & just slightly narrow. They were the 2+shots which would remain unmoved, and unbeaten to win the rink points.

None of the other 5 players could get a bowl any closer. After the changeover, Doug drew one just short of the count, and then put his 2nd behind in anticipation of a hard running shot from Arnold, who’d been on target (and lucky) throughout the match.

He missed.

Doug’s re-arranged rink performed solidly, and was outstandingly led by Bruce Hexter who had been promoted for this match from the 2nds to replace Justin Donaldson. (Still holidays)

Gordon Unwin’s rink was the only loser by 6-shots. The Melbourne rink had played very tight & were dynamic under pressure to convert the heads, which they succeeded in doing consistently to win 16 of the 25-end match.

The win over Melbourne was all the more emphatic, particularly after some trying uncertainties at the selection table, right up until late last Thursday.

The issues on the table amounted to selections being able to fulfil the Club’s stated pre-season objectives, which are;

1. To retain our position in Division-1. This requires finishing 8th or better to avoid relegation. The club is currently 4th with 5 rounds to go.

2. To ensure the 2nd side is promoted to Division-5 next season.

3. To at least retain the 3rd side in Division-6, and avoid relegation.

With two new top side players arriving at the club for round-13 (Brendan Hoey & Denise Knight), 2 players would have to make way for them and play in the 2nds.

This of course would make the 2nds even stronger, and Geoff Mathers & Angus MacIsaac had willingly offered themselves to step down for the remainder of the season.

The main consideration here is that for a top-side player to be eligible to play in the seconds finals campaign, they must have played 4 matches in the TWO’s prior to round 17. That means there were only 4 rounds left to qualify for the two players going down. (Round 13 to 16) Therefore they must play the next 4 rounds consecutively in the two’s, if they had not played any matches yet in the two’s this season.

Unexpectedly, Mark Stoney announced to the selectors that he wanted to step down from the Division-1 side to skip in the Two’s, along with his Dad, (Neil) who would play as his 3rd.

This now means that even when a vacancy arises in the top-side, (due to poor form or unavailability) neither Mark or Neil can return to the team until round 17, otherwise they will not have recorded their 4 games in the seconds required to qualify to be eligible for a place in the 2nds finals team.

Geoff & Angus therefore now cannot quality to play in the two’s finals.

With Justin Donaldson still on holidays, Bruce Hexter (who had been playing consistently well in the Magoo’s) was brought up for round-13. Janet Lanagan was unfortunately unavailable due to knee soreness.

The Club is currently on target in achieving all 3 of its stated objectives for the 09/10 pennant season, with the bonus being that the top-side can now secure 4th place on the ladder by winning 3 of the last 5 rounds over the 3 teams below us.

A Few Match Highlights. (v Melb)

• On the 20th end, (trailing 18/23) Ron Makin is asked to hit the jack into the ditch, which was sitting on the ditch-edge beside our ‘toucher’ & we are holding 2+. Wooooops, he’s WRONG BIASED!!!!! leaving it open for Melbourne to take the shot, and they did, drilling the jack perfectly, - for us to go 1-down.

• KHSC maintained its tradition of having two females in the top side.
Saturday’s rinks included Pat O’Connell, and debutant Denise Knight playing her first match with us, leading for her squeeze Brendan Hoey, who also finally arrived from Tweed Heads after some hip surgery, to play his first match too in our club colours.

• The day started poorly for Gordon Unwin’s rink. On the very first end when holding a comfortable 3+ he delivered narrow with his last & pushed a short Melbourne bowl in to go 1-down. “Ouch!” But as if on cue, the very next end when holding 1+ he tails the jack to give us the 3 back.

• Having lost 8 out of 9 ends including 6 straight, Gordon Unwin is 5-down on the 14th. He draws off the jack for 1+ only to watch the Melb skip push our bowl out & we drop another 3. It had been a horror stretch from the 9th losing the next 6 ends and 13 shots after leading 11/4.

• On the 18th end all 4 players in Gordon Unwin’s rink drew BOTH their bowls within a mat-length & watched 6 of them remain undisturbed and collect a very important six. Pretty rare occurrence to see 8 out of 8 on one end delivered so tight.

• ‘Deadly’ Doug bounce-drives his yellow beach-bowl to take the 22nd end when 3-down while leading on the rink board 18/17. He sends their shot bowls flying, taking the shot & a 19/17 lead with 2 to play.

• Bruce Hexter played a blinder leading for Doug, - and it was his 2 x sparkling lemon bowls that were tight on the jack on their 25th end when the rink was tied up @ 19/19. Melbourne tried everything to move them, but failed, So Bruce just added to a terrific day by single handedly setting up & then stealing the last end rink win.

• Debutant skip Hoey won 16 of the 25 ends including 5 x 4’s & 1 x 5, to win the rink points 41/21.

The Teams & Rinks Scores. (Round 13 v Melbourne. KHSC Won 115/92

Lost 23/29 Led 11/9 (11-ends) at the break. Won only 9 of 25 ends.
(S) Gordon Unwin, (3) Graeme Spry, (2) Ron Makin, (L) Geoff Mathers

Won 21/19 Tied at 8/8 (10-ends) at the break. Won 13 of the 25 ends.
(S) Doug O’Connell, (3) Peter Scerri, (2) Pat O’Connell, (L) Bruce Hexter

Won 41/21 Led 15/11 (10 ends) at the break. Won 16 of the 25 ends.
(S) Brendan Hoey, (3) Neil Jewell, (2) Angus MacIsaac, (L) Denise Knight

Won 30/23 Led 14/7 (9-ends) at the break.
(S) Ray Jansen, (3) Grant Pickering, (2) Ian Feder, (L) Ray Runting

Ladder. Div1, Sect-1. After Round 13

Bundoora /RSL 500+ 207
Lalor                   339 185
Brighton             416 179
Kew Heights       99- 120
Melbourne           98- 102
Ashburton         115- 100
Armadale          126- 94
Ivanhoe              160- 92
Keilor                 172- 67
MCC                  485- 24

Next Weeks Round 14 Div-1 Match v MCC (away)
Round 15 – Keilor (H)
Round 16 – Bundoora RSL – (A)
Round 17 – Ashburton (H)
Round 18 – Brighton (A (Sunday 21st Feb)

Semi Final – Sat 27th Feb
Sect Final - Sun 28th Feb
 

Kites Survive Lions Mauling

Match Report Kew Twos Round 12 - 19th December 2009

A fighting Fitzroy Victoria worked over Kew Heights Twos in a close round 12 contest at Kew Heights. Kew came out winners by 17 shots after the Lions closed to a handful of shots late in the day.  Kew had two rinks draw and two win to add 16 points and keep top position and undefeated status. 

Fitzroy Victoria, third on the ladder and the team that ran Kew close by four shots in round 3 came to compete. The Lions roared all day and gave the Kew Twos a small fright. The Doherty, Roughley and Lanigan rinks all needed some fortunate 5s and 6s to make the difference and the Joyce rink leading early by 16 shots saw their lead whittled to three shots before storming home.

What a beautiful Saturday - a gentle southerly drifted across the Kew Heights front green, fluffy white cotton balls smudged a sparkling blue sky, Thursday’s rain left a clean cool day to enjoy the contest.  The sun shone on a damp green running at 14 seconds.  The pride of plastic pros from Fitzroy marveled at this exotic surface though it did not seem to hold them back.  They smelt avian blood.

Janet Lanigan rejoined the winners circle with a gutsy 4 shot win.  Boosted by the inclusion of Phyl Major at Third and with Lead Bob Heinemann coming back up, the rink maintained its gypsy look.  But this week, the gypsies dragged their wagon to victory though the winner’s Vardo did have to travel a bumpy road all  the way to camp. 

The lead changed several times early, the Lanigan rink fighting to get supremacy to no avail.  A two shot win on end 14 allowed Kew to go in at tea just down by one shot, 9-10.  The match stayed close until end 23 when Kew picked up a six to create a gap at 21-15.  Janet and her rink of Bob, Geoff Birch at second and Phyl held on to a solid win of 22-18.  Well done to all in this rink after what has been a tough few weeks.

Joining Janet in the winners circle was John Joyce and his rink of Greg Hamilton, Noel Sayers and Neil Hookey with a 13 shot victory.  Kew flew high over the Lions early, setting up a 19-3 lead and winning 11 of the first 13 ends. Only the Fitzroy third provided resistance and when he converted, John Joyce often converted back.  Ends won 11, ends lost 2, how easy is this?

The tea bell rang.  John Joyce and crew, on end 14, were distracted and dropped a 5 to go in at 19-8.  One swipe of the Lions claws swept the feasting Kites aside. The scones had a sour taste.

Fitzroy grabbed the mat on end 16 and clawed winning shots from Joyce and co on the next six ends to close the gap to 3 shots, 21-18 on end 21.  The big board was tight, only a handful of shots up overall and the Joyce rink frustrated at the Fitzroy persistence.  Four ends to go, the Lions now feasted, had to handle the talons of resurgent Kites.  Kew ripped into the last four ends to pick up 10 shots and win by 13 shots, 31-18.  Again the rink played as a combination with all contributing in turn.  The icing this week was strong and consistent leading from Greg Hamilton in his best game of the season to break a half century of points.

We seem to like draws.  The team drew against Bundoora.  Two rinks had two 22 all draws against Greensborough; against Fitzroy we had a 21 and a 23 all draw.  Do we have some arithmetical fixation?

Norm Roughley and his rink of Kevin Fowler, Rod Donaldson and Bruce Hexter won 13 ends and led by 4 shots on end 24.  Alas, a dropped 4 on the last meant a draw 21-21.  Norm was behind from the start until end 18 when a six to Kew changed the lead and Kew fortunes.  Kew was then up 15-13 and held the lead until end 25.  How just two ends changed fortunes, a swing each way.  Well done to Norm and his rink who again put in sound performances against a lion hearted Fitzroy rink.

The report from the Con Doherty rink; “I played good, Peter Lambert played good and Dennis Parkes played good, Con played with a belly ache”. Thanks Cheryl for a succinct summary.  Con’s rink only won ten ends but picked up a four and two fives to keep in the contest.  Con was up 23-20 after winning one shot on end 24.  Again, Fitzroy drove hard to the line, picking up a three on the last end to force a draw 23-23.

Overall, Kew played well to hold out a determined Fitzroy pride.  A feature of Kew’s play was tight ends - Kew only dropped one five, two fours and five threes all day across all rinks.  Janet Lanigan had victory with only 11 ends won, Con drew with only 10 ends won, Norm won 13 ends and Joyce won 16 ends but dropped six ends in a row.  Of 50 ends lost to the Lions, 42 were losses of 1 or 2 shots only.  But to lose the winning position on two rinks by 4 shots and 3 shots on the last end is something we need to work on.

In Section 3 results, Bundoora RSL travelled to Greensborough and were done by two rinks and 95-93; a close match.  Fitzroy, Greensborough and Montmorency are very competitive at home.  Broadmeadows at Broadmeadows beat Darebin 107-86 (3 rinks), Brunswick at Brunswick beat Montmorency 95-76 (2 rinks) and Rosanna had the walk over.

Kew Heights now has a gap of 21 points at the top of the table to Bundoora in second.  Greensborough come up to third after their victory.  Kew have 184 points, Bundoora 163, then Greensborough 125 points.  There is a tight bunch holding the next five positions;  Fitzroy drop to fourth with 113 points Broadmeadows have 111 points, and Montmorency have 109 points.  Brunswick are just a little further back with 99 points.

After the break we play Montmorency on 16 January at Montmorency on their tricky synthetic.  They are dangerous at home winning all six home games, they won two weeks ago by 97 shots.  Get some practice and coaching over the break and see you on 16 January.  Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

CONFIDENCE RESTORED WITH CLEAN SWEEP.

Posted 21/12/09

After 3 consecutive losses the top-side left its round 12 match against Armadale (19/12)  taking with it all 18 points from the clean-sweep by all 4 rinks.

The win restored the club back into the four, jumping ahead of Armadale, who were equal on wins with us.

It was a remarkable return to form for the club, after a number of radical positional changes amongst the16 member group.

The effect it had on the Armadale club was one of devastation, as their smart new clinical-looking club-rooms were deserted only 5 minutes after the last rink had walked off the green. It was a match they had expected to win, and we spoiled their Xmas.

Doug O'Connell came back into the side to skip, & Peter Scerri as his 3rd.  With Doug's knee still not as solid as he'd like, he used a Kerkow style stick for support, and it gave him plenty, to lead the rink to a very important 3-shot win. (23/20)

Gordon Unwin was on debut as a skip for the first time this season, with Graeme Spry 3rd, and Neil Jewell 2nd. 

Gordon was trailing 20/23 playing the 25th end, (and 2-down at the head) when he delivered his last bowl that smacked  a short wide bowl darting his bowl to cannon the shot bowl out of bounds, and push the jack wide to claim a SIX and take the 2 rink points.

An astonishing shot that devastated Armadale who'd already written down their win on the card! 

Grant Pickering had Mark Stoney as his 3rd, only 48 hours after Mark's massive win in the club's singles championship.

Grant's rink held a one-shot lead going into their last end (21/20). He was two down at the head when playing his last bowl. He played with medium weight into Mark's short bowl to turn it over twice & in for shot. We take one and the 2 x rink points for the 23/21 win.

Ray Jansen's rink remained unchanged, including (3) Justin Donaldson, (2) Ian Feder & (L) Geoff Mathers.

They had led right the way through the match by as much as eight, but finally put the winning score on the board at 28/23.

The reworked rinks took a third of the match to settle down & get into stride on Armadale's lawn, running around 15 - 16  seconds on a warm sunny arvo' with moderate winds.

KHSC grabbed the lead by the 33rd end 33/27, and went into the tea break leading 53/47 (53 ends) 

The re-arranged rink combinations just clicked & all 4 skips led with authority & class, never showing any signs of vulnerability, keeping their cool & confidence.

The club goes into the break with 6 wins & 6 losses in 4th place. It's been hard work, but well earned.

The January 16 match is against Melbourne (2) at Barkers Road. When we played them at Union Street, it was the match that got away

when we led by 20 shots at the break and gave them all back and more within 10 ends of going back onto the green, and blew it in spades.

With the addition of Brendan Hoey (a former Premier division skip) arriving to play the last 6 rounds, - the group should be even tougher,

and the Magoo's will benefit too taking in a player of top-side experience. It is uncertain yet in which team & position his partner Denise will play.

She too has impressive credentials having represented the state.

Interestingly, the Chairman of Selectors sent out a survey document requesting all of the top side players to select their preferred 'top-16' players, and in their positions for the remaining 6 rounds, from a squad of 18.

It is important to point out that if any 'top-side' player is dropped to the two's, they must have played 4-rounds in that side before round 16. to be eligible to play in the finals. (Round 16 & 17 don't count as finals qualifying matches.) 

As there are only FOUR rounds left to qualify, whichever player/s are dropped, must play all of the next 4-rounds in the two's to qualify.

(Or they might have to sit out when the finals are played.)

Last year it happened through poor planning & inaction that several of our experienced 'top-side' players were left out of all the finals matches through not qualifying, even though all three of our teams played off in finals!

Obviously nobody wants that to happen again.

Rink Scores

Doug O'Connell -   Final 23/20   (18/10 @ 14 end break.) Won

Gordon Unwin -       "       26/23   (  8/11 @ 13 end break.) Won

Ray Jansen -           "       28/23   (16/12 @ 12 end break.) Won

Grant Pickering -    "        23/21   (  9/14 @ 11 end break.) Won

Final Score:                 100/87   18 points.

A FEW MATCH HIGHLIGHTS.

*  Grant Pickering kills the last end before the break when 4-down & trailing 7/12. His swinging running shot into the head was spot on over the full-distance.

*  With the main board showing KHSC only a handful of shots up on the 70th end, Ray Jansen was holding a very tight and important 4+, only to see his opposing skip dead-draw to go 1-down.

*  Picker's rink is 4-down. Mark Stoney draws 2+ in tight. Armadale's skip moves the jack & we're 2-down. Picker's knocks the shot's bowls back with the jack to the ditch edge but we're still 2-down unless his tumbling bowl stays on the green. It is still rolling slowly when it hits the green edge plynth, and stays on. Phew! We're one + up, then with his second he takes the cake into the ditch for 2+.

*  All of the KHSC side knew they had buried Armadale when Gordon Unwin's opposing skip aggressively thumps the rink scoreboard, slamming the numbers over to record Gordon's 2-shot win on their 24th Cursing and grumping to himself.  It brought their score closer at 20/23.

*  Wonder what Gordon's opposing skip said  after Gordon had pulled of a miracle shot on their last (25th end) to move the jack from being 2-down to SIX = UP on the last to win the rink points. If he was angry dropping 2- on the 24th with a 5-shot lead, he must have been speechless after dropping 6 & the rink points on the 25th, - because no-one heard anything.

*  Ray Jansen plays almost the perfect bowl when 4-down on the 21st. The jack is resting against their shot, surrounded by the other x 3 bowls all within 6". Ray lightly taps the cake, only to watch it bounce off another of their shots and remain at 4-down. A brilliant bowl, with an undeserved outcome which took the rink score to 20/19 & 4 to play 

*  Excellent skipping performance by Gordon Unwin in his first outing for the club in this role.

*  Great to see Deadly Doug return to skip with the aid of a support stick.  It didn't have any adverse effect on his boncers. He was as deadly as usual. (He had to withdraw from last weeks match against Lalor due to knee soreness.)

*  Ray Jansen displayed a return to his deft touch which he has said had deserted him of recent times.

   Where previously he might have missed by a few centremetres, at Armadale yesterday he was centermeter perfect on most occasions, converting the head (down to up) NINE times, and adding to the winning head on 6 other occasions. there was no doubt who was in charge. 

*  KHSC started to look shakey 13 ends after returning to the green from the beak, in what looked like the start of another 2nd half collapse, when Armadale drew level with us at 59/59 (66 ends), but the shakiness didn't last long, and by the 80th ends we had powered to 81/69, and never let our lead get below 9 shots, - winning by 13 at the end.

LADDER (After Round 12)

Bundoora   -    11    1   452+    190

Lalor   -             12    2   274      169

Brighton     -    10    2   380      164

Kew Heights -  6    6    118-     104

___________________________

Melb (2)              6    6    75-       100

Armadale           5    7    65           92

Ivanhoe              5    7    112         91

Ashburton          4    8    134         84

Keilor                 3    9    153         65

MCC                  0   12   449         21

.............................................................................................................................................................. 

AUSTRALIA-DAY. ENTER A TEAM NOW.

Our tournament organisers for Australia-Day are looking for 8 team entries from HHSC.

Go and put together a 4 and put in your entry. It is a brilliant day. (Public holiday - Tuesday 26th January.)

The prizemoney has been increased to $2,500.

Winner - $1,000

R/U         $   600

3rd          $  400

4th          $   200

3 x           $  100   3 x best rink winners

               $   200  x random cash prizes.

3 x games of 12 ends.

2-course gourmet seated lunch + free wines from DeBortonli.

Any questions, see Greg Hamilton, Con Doherty, Peter Scerri, or Geoff Mathers.

...............................................................................................................................................................

MARK STONEY WINS CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

Posted 19/12/09

Mark Stoney won the Club Singles Championship on Thursday 17th December on a damp green interupted by showers.

In his first year with the club, he beat Peter Scerri comfortably, after they had been tied at 9/9 but then Mark powered away with strong firm weighted shots & drawing accuracy to take an uncatchable lead.

And just to add to the joy of the win, his Mum had bought him in the club calcutta too. "Congratulations Mark, - your shout!!"

Posted 15/12/09

Lalor delivered a proper thrashing to KHSC on Saturday (12/12) on our own smooth running plastic in warm and pleasant conditions.

It turned out to be a deadly dull performance from us where we were outgunned from the opening ends in multiples. A third of the way into the match we were 20 shots down. At the tea-break it was a 24 shot deficit & the game was over. It was now a matter of looking to try and win rink points to salvage some pride from the afternoon.

At the break the rink scores stood at; (21/45 – 24 shots down x 38 ends)

Ray Jansen 3/10 (8 ends)
Mark Stoney 7/14 (11 ends)
Grant Pickering 9/13 (9 ends)
Neil Jewell 2/ 8 (10 ends)

The talk after the break did nothing to change anyone’s attitude, when we immediately dropped 10 shots in the first end out. Neil dropped a 5, - Mark dropped 3 & Ray was down 2. This has been the trouble spot in so many of the matches
we’ve lost this season when we’ve led or been close at the break.

The best example was against Melbourne at Union Street, when we led them comfortably by 20 shots at the break, and within 8 ends of going back onto the green, we were behind, and never recovered.

We have not learned the Vince Lombardy creed, or do we understand or apply what Tom Hafey recognised in 1967 that one motivational talk does not fit all. Sport is an individual thing. Our skips & selectors must be better prepared to respond to these proven facts if we are to succeed.

Three-quarter-time speeches are only effective if you have something impactful to say, with a bit of shock value. –Just like newsletters, if it doesn’t contain genuine news, it is wasted effort, and it becomes only a nice feel good experience for management.

There was fortunately some fight left in the ‘Khites’ in the 2nd-half as 3 of the rinks refused to accept such a timid defeat.

Ray Jansen’s rink fought back to tie 24/24 after winning 6 of the last 7 ends. They won back from 10/23 down after the 18th & picked up a 6 on the 20th which stunned Lalor, and then held the upper hand to the end, with some polished performances from Ian Feder & Justin Donaldson.

Neil Jewell was in deep trouble at 5/20 after 16 ends, (having won only 3 ends) but then won 7 of the next 9 ends to get back to an almost respectable 15/24, - but finished 9 shots down at the close of play.

Grant Pickering’s rink went through the horrors from the 13th end when their score was 12/13, but they then lost 8-straight ends (& 10 out of 11) and by then any chance of winning was gone, both for the rink and the Club. With the score at 12/29. they won back 5 shots but the damage was done.

The terminal damage turned out to come from the re-jigged Mark Stoney rink. Mark had been returned to the ‘Skip’s role’ after the withdrawal of Doug O’Connell earlier in the week with a leg injury. Phyl Major led, Ron Makin (2) & Graeme Spry (3).

Mark took an early lead and was one shot up after the 5th leading 5/4, and then it went ape-shape. At 5/5 they dropped the maximum eight. They fought back from that embarrassment to reach 15/17 after 16, but then were simply emptied, losing the next 8 of 9 ends & 20 shots to go into the club house absolutely thrashed by 22 shots at 16/38. A disappointing collapse from being a rink winning chance at 16 to being absolutely thrashed by 22 shots.

Deadly-Doug O’Connell said as a spectator after the Lalor loss that he was keen to get back into the top side maybe as a lead against Armadale (so he could sit down and rest his leg problem to get him through the match instead of skipping or being a 3rd on his feet allday.)

Deadly-Doug would be an asset in any role he chooses to play in our top side. Let’s hope the Elmore oil massage Patto applies hits the spot.

A FEW HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE MATCH.

1. Ron ‘Prez’ Makin’s pre-match talk to the team. He raised his disappointment about the lack of teamsmanship during the previous weeks loss to Ivanhoe. He sighted the situation of players setting out only to play 2-bowls-singles & not thinking about their role in the team. He asked for players to give a handshake commitment (contract agreement) to their team-mates.

2. His talk was highly motivated, emotional & impactful. Whilst the club did not win the match, the teams spirits were considerably higher after the match, - giving support to one another.

3. The EIGHT dropped by the Stoney rink were all at the ditch end over almost the full distance. The jack had been moved back & Lalor’s overweighted bowls were then all in the count, whilst Kew Heights didn’t reach the head to cut them down.

4. Justin Donaldson played a couple of ‘jaffa’s’ when asked to move the jack. Only problem was he hit the wrong half of the cake on both occasions when we were holding & moved us from 3+ to 1-. Great bowls, - unfortunate result.

5. Ian Feder converted the head 13 times from DOWN to UP, and added to the winning head x 8 times in addition to those conversions. A great day on the green Ian, who finished with a personal score of 66 as Jansen’s 2nd.
(13 conversions over a pennant match has got to be close to a club record?)

6. Grant Pickering was 8-zip down after only 3 ends, but immediately got them back over the next 2 ends, to restore some confidence in the other rinks that KHSC was back on track.

7. Grant then held 5+ on the 7th when their skip killed the end with his last bowl & they dropped a 2 on the replay.

8. Jansen was holding 3+ on the 8th when their skip delivers a weighted mongrel bowl up the wrong line 3’-wide, only to watch it rebound and re-direct off 3 short-wide bowls before coming to rest on the cake.

9. There was considerable debate about why we played Lalor on our plastic which runs and performs similar to their grass, - instead of putting them on our grass which would have taken them longer to adjust to.

9. It seems the administrators prefer to play on the green that best suits our players, rather than the surface that will most disadvantage the opposition. That therefore pre-supposes KHSC will play EVERY pennant match on the plastic.

Like the tennis Pro’s seek to play on a surface that eliminates any margin of inconsistency or error, - it would appear we are following the same line.

It is an unresolved debate.

10. For the 2nd week in a row an opposition player has ‘grizzled’ about one of the KHSC players coming off the mat backwards after delivering his bowl. The problem occurs because the opponent awaiting his turn to bowl is standing too close behind the mat, and they get ‘hissy’ if you step back onto them.

It happened on Sat to Geoff Mathers, and the week before to Ian Feder, who told his tubby Ivanhoe complaintant that the mat was his until his bowl had come to rest, - and he could come off the mat any way he chose to until then. “If you don’t agree with that he said, go call the umpire!!” Not another word was heard, and nor should there have been. It is a stupid complaint when all the opponent has to do is stand back until it’s his turn on the mat. Many players stand too close as a form of deliberate intimidation.

11. Ray Jansen is holding 2-shots on his last end (25th) at the changeover. He needs 3+ to win the two rink points. Their skip misses both attempts to take one out & or move the jack. Jansen protects with his first, but then has to dead draw for a 3rd.
His bowl draws up to rest alongside their 3rd shot, but is beaten by a shadow. KHSC takes 2+ & secures one point for the rink draw. A brilliant come-back from 10/23 down on the 18th.

12. Whilst our plastic green runs flat and smooth, there are some ’straighteners’ that have started to appear over recent weeks. Like the backhand going to the clubhouse, when the bowl is in its last 2m of a draw near the 2m mark - it starts to straighten when a meter wide, and even fights against the bias. Inside that meter, it will bend as you would expect, - but too tight.
I’m experienced enough on it to know it has nothing to do with the wind, but have no other explanation.

There were a few furrowed brows on Saturday, & also during the match against Bundoora.

The green might require some attention?

THE TEAMS & RINK SCORES

15/24 lost (S) Neil Jewell, - (3) Peter Scerri, (2) Pat O’connell, - (L) Neil Stoney
16/38 lost (S) Mark Stoney, - (3) Graeme Spry, - (2) Ron Makin, - (L) Phyl Major
24/24 tied (S) Ray Jansen,- (3) Justin Donaldson,- (2) Ian Feder,- (L) Geoff Mathers
17/31 lost (S) Grant Pickering,-(3) Gordon Unwin,-(2) Angus MacIsaac,-(L) Ray Runting

Final Score: 72/117 (1/17) v Lalor @ Barkers Road.

Next weeks round 12 v Armadale @ Princes Park. (It is most likely they will play us on their grass for the same reason we might have played Lalor on ours.)
……………………………………………………………………………………………….

3RDS FINAL SHOT SHOCK.

The 3rds shocked even themselves with a last bowl brain seizure in the round 10 pennant match against Ringwood. (5/12 at Ringwood.)

It went something like this,….

With only one rink left on the green & both skips left to play only one bowl, - KHSC is 1-down on the main board & we are down at the head.

The Ringwood skip inadvertently hits the jack and springs it to 5 of ours and we’re 4+ up. (Almost a ‘hanging’ offence!)

Carl McCarthy (our skip) now doesn’t need to play his last bowl.

The match is won and we’ve got the 10 points in the bank. A very needy 10 points too.

But NO!!!

Carl’s 3rd encourages him to play his last bowl and add to the winning score!!

Can you believe it?

Why would you flirt with a loss after just escaping from one & now holding the 10 match points in your hand?

Carl should have packed his bowls & walked away,…but he didn’t.

So onto the mat goes Carl & delivers his big-bending standard bowl, - 14 seconds later it hits the jack & takes the cake back to 3 of the Ringwood bowls, and it’s a measure for the 4th & 5th shot.

If the measure goes against us the match will be lost. “Astonishing!!”

Fortunately for us, Ringwood only score 3 & KHSC wins by a very precarious one shot and take the 10 match points.

That thoughtless decision could well have cost the 3rd side its place in Division-6, as it will no doubt be tight at the seasons end, coming down to only a handful of points between who stays up & who is relegated.

It might only be a game, but why risk throwing away a game you had already won?
……………………………………………………………………………………….

LAST BOWL MIXED PAIRS WIN.

Geoff Mathers & Pat O’Meara won the club Mixed Pairs event on Sunday (13/12), beating Mark Stoney & Pat O’Connell on the last end of the tie-break with Mathers last bowl, when the Stoney rink held 4 shots and the match win.

The event was staged in the National 9-ends sets play format (3 x bowls/best of x 3 sets, with a 3-end tie break.)

The Mathers/O’Meara combination beat Con Doherty & Cheryl Muttock in a tie break in the semi-final, and then looked gone in the final tie-break with Mark Stoney holding 4-shots at the head when 2-down on the score-board.

Pat O’Connell had drawn 2 tight bowls onto the jack, and Mark added 2 to virtually claim the final.

When both skips had only one bowl left to deliver, Mathers drew off the jack x 20cm & stuck with it over the full distance to hold 1+ (3 shot lead) & only one bowl still to come from Mark.

Mark Stoney drove at the head but couldn’t change it due to the bunch of up-front bowls blocking the access he needed. All he could do was drive into the head & hope. He did hit the head but joy was not forthcoming, so Pat & Geoff will advance to the Metro state playoffs early next year representing Kew Heights.

It had been a gutsy performance by Pat O’Meara who had been seriously ill & hospitalised not long ago, so it was a massive drain on her stamina & concentration to last through the physical 6 hours on the green, and to perform with such authority. Congratulations Pat. We all dips our lids to you.

………………………………………………………………………………………

IVANHOE TEAMS UP FOR WIN.

KHSC dropped round-10 against Ivanhoe on their smooth running 14-15-second tif-dwarf (5/12) in perfect sunny conditions. (The green that our resident greenkeeper, Andrew Rigg also manages.)

It was a match the club expected to win. In fact it would be fair to say, - we just assumed KHSC would win it, and that’s how we played, - as a team of individuals playing 2-bowl singles, and were outplayed by 16 Ivanhoe players who wanted to be part of a team.

Ivanhoe were clearly more enthusiastic & keen to apply that pressure to us from the opening ends. They jumped us. We knew they would, but limply let them take charge & after only 20 ends they led 15/22. At 48 ends when we went in to the break the main board showed us down 17 shots 31/48. It was only 17 shots but there were no vibrations, no bounce, & no spark. Our group looked like it had
accepted another failure, in spite of 52 ends to travel. There was not spark anywhere, and only Doug O’Connell’s rink came in for a cuppa one shot up.

The other skips, - Grant, Ray & Neil were each 6-down.

At the end of the day we lost by 20 shots. That’s only x 5 shots each rink, but it’s a mountain if you don’t think you can reach the top to get over it!!

At the end of a very disillusioning day, Doug O’Connell was our only rink winner, who stole victory from the jaws of defeat with his last bowl.

His rink had led most of the day in a really tight match & held a one shot lead after the 24th end.

Doug went into the last end with Pat ‘Patto’ O’Connell moving the cake for 2+.

Peter Scerri knocks up one of Ivanhoe’s short bowls & we are one down, but with his 2nd bowl he moves the jack 30cm and we hold 1+.

Their skip draws the perfect resting toucher.

‘Deadly-Doug’ then plays a weighted running shot that’s only cm’s wide but stays up as the backest. & we’re still one down.

Their skip plays his last to block access to the jack, so ‘Deadly-Doug’ bites the bullet, as he is want to do, and launches one of his
trade-mark ‘bouncers’ up the wrong line smashing into everything short & wide.

Bowls scatter everywhere & one collects the jack.

What seems like minutes, & when the smoke has cleared, it reveals the Jack has come to rest only inches from Doug’s earlier wide weighted shot at the back.

We hold 1+ and take the 2 rink points.

That’s 2-points by a shot, in a match we came from behind to win. And a very valuable 2-points they were. Well done Uncle Doug.

The other rink that looked like it had stitched up 2-more rink points was Grant Pickering who was skipping for his first match this season since his brilliant performance in Corowa (April 09) when KHSC won the State Championship.

Grant held a 4-shot lead going into the 24th end, but dropped both, including 3 on the 25th to go down by one shot.

Grant’s rink had fought back strongly when 14/20 down (17th end) They won the next 6 in a row to lead 24/20 with only x 2 ends to play & looked certain to hold on.

They didn’t, even though they held winning heads on both these final x 2 ends at the changeover..

KHSC’s excitement was blunted by the opposing skip playing match-saving shot conversions to pick up the x 5 shots Ivanhoe needed to win the rink points.

The Pickering rink deserved a better fate, but they had dropped 2 x 5’s along the way, and as we all know, they are numbers too big to win back.

Ray ‘Roller’ Runting was the rink star with a 60+ score for his afternoon.

Out of 25 ends, he had only one end with no bowl within a meter. On 8 x occasions he put both his bowls within a mat length.

Ray Jansen went down by 5 shots, but not without a fight, playing the wily old Colin Ellis (A Group-11 selector)

Their performance was probably about even over the 29-end match.

Ellis won the points for the first ½, with Jansen clearly the victor over the home run.

Jansen had won 13 of the 29 ends (inc x 4 dead ends) to only go down by 5 shots.

The rink that copped a towelling was Neil Jewell, -15/31.

Jewell had been troubled by a painful hip complaint earlier in the week and there had been some doubt if he would be able to take his place to lead the rink.

KHSC had x 2 rinks up at the tea-break, - but the 20 shot deficit appeared daunting, and there was hardly a boo from our 16 during the remaining 52 ends as we bowled ourselves into defeat, and let Ivanhoe dictate the terms of the match.

We did draw back to only 9-down with 25 ends to go, but then we dropped 2 x 5’s in quick succession, and everyone just exhaled into submission and reverted back into focusing on individual scores.

Generally our players have the skill but not the temperament to handle the aggression you can always expect at Division-1 or higher levels.

We have to be more at ease, work as a team, & get mentally tougher (positive focus) to succeed at this level.

There is no doubt that our top-side needs to be more ‘RELAXED’ when they are on the mat, and this attitude needs to be encouraged & articulated by the skips & other members of the team, not just once, but over 5-hours of the afternoon.

Relax, Focus, Support & we’ll win our way into 4th spot on the ladder.

A FEW MATCH HIGHLIGHTS.

• Ian Feder filled in as the measurer for Ray Jansen’s 3rd (Justin Donaldson) on one end when Jansen requested the 2nd shot be measured. When he was down on his hands & knees he inadvertently whacked the Jack a few inches, and “ONE SHOT” correctly was the loud cry from the opposing 3rd. Oooops!!!!

• What could have been an ugly incident was avoided by Ian Feder when he walked off the back of the mat after delivering his bowl, and bumping into the tubby Ivanhoe 2nd – (standing too close to the mat,) awaiting his turn to bowl. Ian was aggressively told by the rude Ivanhoe 2nd “not to walk off the mat backwards.”
– to which Ian said to the hissy-fit Ivanhoe player,
“I won’t debate with you. It’s my mat ‘til my bowl stops.
I’ll come off the mat as I choose.
If you disagree, call the umpire.”

Not another word was spoken. Well handled Ian.

• Grant Pickering converts a 2-down head to 3+ on the 24th end with his rink score at 24/20. The opposing skip arrives with some weight, moves the jack and we drop 2-shots.

• ‘Deadly-Doug O’Connell sends off a bouncing drive accurately on the 22nd when he is 2-down to go 3-UP, - but his opposing skip draws to the ditch edge and takes one.

• Jansen has played only 3 x draw shots in the first 8 ends. Facing 2-down on the 9th end, he dead draws for 1+.

• Ian Feder runs the jack to the ditch edge when 2-down. Justin Donaldson pushes in Mathers toucher for 2+ then with his 2nd runs the jack onto the sand for 3+

• Deadly-Doug does it again with an accurate ‘bouncer’ when 3-down, with the jack in the ditch, he drills our up-front ‘toucher’ in beside the cake for 1+. Great shot Uncle-Doug.

• Ivanhoe’s Secretary tracked me down after the match to challenge the accuracy of my earlier website comment about their refusal to allow visiting pennant teams pre-match roll-up access on the designated match rinks.

Ivanhoe had announced that it has refused all clubs a pre-match roll-up on the designated pennant rinks.

I consider their decision childish & not in the spirit of the sport.

I had quoted a source of mine, who’d spoken with one of Ivanhoe’s senior top side players as saying, “the real reason we (Ivanhoe) has ‘banned’ visiting teams from pre-match roll-ups is to preserve our home ground advantage.”

That’s what everyone believed, but the Ivanhoe Secretary wants you to know that the reason is because of green capacity limitations.

“There are only enough rinks to allow a comfortable access for our own players” – he said to me. What nonsense!!

What about saying to the visiting clubs, “you can have 2-rinks from 11–11.30am. (the home club can use the rinks until the opposition arrives), Some clubs don’t choose to have a pre-match-roll-up at the away club anyway.

Then the home club can roll-up from 11.30 to Noon on their own.

The whole idea of the RVBA ruling is to seek to give both clubs equal time, if they choose to take it. In Ivanhoe’s case it appears they are the only club who choose to defy the intention of the equality rule, for their own reasons.

One would hope the RVBA change this rule immediately to allow a pre-match roll-up right into the start of pennant matches, and without the 12noon shut out that has no purpose. The way it used to be, very successfully.

Teams & Rink Scores, v Ivanhoe 80/100 (2/16)
23/28 lost (S) Ray Jansen, - Justin Donaldson, - (2) Ian Feder, - (L) Geoff Mathers
24/25 lost (S) Grant Pickering,-(3) Mark Stoney,-(2) Angus MacIsaac, (L) Ray Runting
15/31 lost (S) Neil Jewell,-(3) Graeme Spry, - (2) Phyl Major, - (L) Ron Makin
18/16 won (S) Doug O’Connell, -(3) Peter Scerri, -(2) Pat O’Connell, -(L) Neil Stoney

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Any questions contact
Geoff Mathers
9826 6828

 

Kew Twos 22 Too Times Two

Match Report Round 10 - 5th December 2009

First game of round 2, 2 rinks up, 2 rinks drawn 22 all, Kew Heights 2 beats Greensborough 2 times.

In the first return match, Kew Heights Twos won by 35 shots over a gritty Greensborough.  The match was played on the Kew front green, running beautifully at 15 seconds, smooth and  consistent.  The day was just right, warm with some cloud at times to take the sting from the sun nearing its peak and only a gentle breeze drifting up from the south.

Beautiful green, beautiful day, beautiful result; alas, the bowls from Kew was a little rough around the edges. The scoresheets showed inconsistent drawing from the leads and seconds and some so-so efforts up the back.  The result was Rolex, the play was a little too much like two bob watch.  Greg Hamilton provided the opening address this week and encouraged positive mindsets, so this report will now return to the positive aspects of the game. 

Norm Roughley and his rink of Kevin Fowler, Rod Donaldson, and Bruce Hexter trounced their opposition by 26 shots.  Norm won the first 5 ends to lead 14-0.  The rink front end went so-so; Kevin struggling as the new comer but always positive and trying.  Bruce and Norm had strong games.  The opposition was not good; they did not pressure Kew and when any resistance arose, Norm hit them with a two by four.  Norm won 18 ends, led by as much as 30 shots before finishing well on top.

The John Joyce rink went into tea 11-11; 22 insipid shots from both rinks struggling to get on top.  After tea, Joyce immediately picked up a 4, and won 6 ends in a row to open up a 10 shot lead. The last 6 ends were fought out tit for tat for Kew to come home winners by 9 shots, 26-17.  Hamilton, Sayers, Hookey and Joyce all had their moments but played in two-stroke mode; next week the four-stroke needs to be fired up where all four are sparking at the same time.

Con Doherty was drawn against the strongest Greensborough rink that gave Neil Hookey a touch up in the first round.  Peter Lambert, Cheryl Muttock and Dennis Parkes wrestled out a 22-22 draw.  At tea they were down 4 shots (10-14). After a string of ends won by just 1 shot, Con drew close at 16-17 at end 21, then picked up a 3 on end 18 to go ahead 19-17. Greensborough won 5 shots on the next two ends, but with a final effort, Con won the last end by 3 shots to tie up the match 22-22 and claim one point for the draw.  Well done for the fighting effort right until the end.

Showing Con that two can play the 22 draw game, Janet Lanigan lead Tristan Chen, Geoff Birch and Charles Xerri to another 22-22 draw.  A strange twosome indeed. The lead swung to and fro before tea, changing four times.  Janet was down 2 shots at tea.  After scones, Greensborough maintained an edge to lead until end 20, when a 3 from Kew gave them a one shot lead, 19-18. Greensborough wrested back the lead until the last end when a 2 from Kew made it 22-22.  Again well done for the fight until the end.

A two fold effort - both the Doherty and Lanigan rinks picked up shots on the last end to tie up their rink matches and give Kew 2 points.  Too bad for Greensborough.

Kew banked another 16 points to stay on top of the table.  Too right.

Next week Con will wear a tutu when we beat Bundoora RSl.

In Section 3 results, Broadmeadows at home defeated Fitzroy 109-61 (4 rinks); Bundoora away defeated Brunswick 89-78 (3 rinks), Rosanna at home defeated Montmorency 94-84 (2 rinks) and Darebin won by default against East Ivanhoe.

Nine Eleven Attack

Match Report Round 11- 12th December 2009

Last round was a day of 2s, round 11 was a day of 9s. In a contest of great importance to both sides, Kew Heights Twos drew with Bundoora RSL 90-90, to share points 9 each, with Kew retaining top spot on the table by 9 points.

Bundoora with only one defeat this season, to Kew Heights at Kew, had a chance to move to the top of the table with a win on their new synthetic. Bundoora lead by 13 shots at tea.  With three rinks and 98 ends completed, Bundoora were 5 shots down and two ends to play against the Norm Roughley rink.  Bundoora picked up 2 on the 99th end after Norm had reduced the shots from 4 down.  Last end, Kevin Fowler leading for Kew Heights put his second bowl a pencil length from the jack.  But this great start was not rewarded as Bundoora with better bowls built a solid head to grasp 3 shots at the death to tie up the match.

For Kew Heights, a draw had merits.  Kew Heights was playing the other dominant team in section 3.  The match was on the opposition green.  Bundoora led by 13 shots at tea but Kew reeled them in. In the last five ends, Norm’s rink lost a net 3, and the other 3 rinks picked up a net 9, so overall Kew had a good run to the finish.  Bundoora had plenty of incentive to win - if they did, they would be one point ahead on the league table, relegating Kew to second place.  So Kew’s efforts to get in front and hold out for a draw was a good result - it leaves Kew on top, critical for having a home final against the fourth place holder.

The downside: only two rinks got up.  The Lanigan rink lost badly, never in the match.  Norm’s rink only won 11 ends.  And there are 7 rounds and a final to go to secure the promotion we seek.

The rinks that performed well for Kew are those with stability and teamwork.  The Lanigan rink was full of gypsies; Skip Lanigan, Xerri, Birch and Chen all having traveled randomly in Firsts and Twos and across rinks over this season.  The Doherty and Joyce rinks have been able to build a combination and this has showed in their results.

Con Doherty with Cheryl Muttock back in the lead, Peter Lambert at Second, and Denis Parkes at Third jumped from the blocks with a 5-1-3 to lead 9-0 after three ends.  Only once did the strong Kew Heights rink let the opposition win two consecutive ends.  Con won 17 ends to close down Bundoora 36-17.

Cheryl became distracted by the Thirds chatter; unable to gain quiet when she was on the mat she had words and a wobbly.  Some deep breaths and she was back again turning in a sound effort.

The Bundoora Second, a youthful ranga, had a style to be envied.  His style was not backed up by an ability to get near the jack ... except as soon as Con made a comment to his opposition skip about this phenomenon, the young guy stuck two on.  Con has promised to make no more observations until after matches are completed.

The Joyce rink had a tussle from the start, keeping a lead until just at tea dropping a 2 to go in 1 shot down at 12-13.  After tea, another 2 was dropped.  Now down by 3 shots and having led for 13 of 15 ends, a little pressure came on Joyce, Hookey, Sayers and Hamilton.  They shrugged this off to win the next 5 ends and pick up 14 shots.

End 20 was a highlight.  Kew holding just one, and one Joyce bowl to come, Neil Hookey suggests moving the second shot and there was a chance of a few more.  John Joyce does just this and the results is 6 shots to Kew Heights to give a lead of 11 shots.  John Joyce finished a 10 shot winner.

Greg Hamilton’s opposition lead was nearly a quarter his age but had four times the experience; a slight 15 year old from a family of bowlers showed good form but had difficulty maintaining concentration over 25 ends of fours.

There was no brilliance on the Joyce rink, perhaps not even a tradesman like performance, but the teamwork over 25 ends was the highlight.

Norm Roughley’s rink of Kevin Fowler, Rod Donaldson and Bruce Hexter was down 5 shots at tea and finished 6 shots down.  They had closed to 1 shot before the unfortunate last two ends.  A sound performance that could have been better if consistency had been maintained by all over the 25 ends.

Janet Lanigan and her gypsies started well, winning the first end.  A 1-0 start did not tell any story about how the day would go. Bundoora won the next 13 ends to go in at tea 22-1 up.  After tea, Kew Heights immediately doubled its score, then lost the next five ends.

Janet and her rink did win 4 of the last 6 ends, picking up a net 4 shots, and this made a difference on the big scoreboard.  Well done on this contribution. The Lanigan rink were sorely beaten at 31-8; unable to explain individual performances nor what to do next week; the gypsy crystal ball is unrevealing.

In Section 3 results, Greensborough had the walkover, Rosanna beat Darebin soundly at Darebin 120-64 (18 points), Fitzroy beat Brunswick at home 103-84 (16 points), Montmorency thrashed Broadmeadows at home 154-57 (18 points). 

Fitzroy Victoria shape as a danger next weekend and Montmorency after Christmas.  Kew just scraped home at Fitzroy in round 3, 104-100 and only 2 rinks winning.  Fitzroy had a solid win this weekend against Brunswick at home.  Fitzroy have only had one win away from home in round 2 against Brunswick so not far from home.  But they do sit in third and can lift if we let them.  

Where we really need to focus is after the break.  We play Montmorency on 16 January at Montmorency on their tricky synthetic.  They are dangerous at home winning all six home games. The big win over a competent Broadmeadows outfit this weekend by 97 shots demonstrates the sting they have at home.  Should Kew be rusty after the break, or the team depleted by absences, we will be seriously challenged.

The League table (summary)

Kew Heights 168 (10.5 wins)

Bundoora 159 (9.5 wins)

Fitzroy Victoria 111 (6 wins)

Greensborough 111 (6 wins)

Montmorency 105 (6 wins)

Rosanna 80 (5 wins)

Kew Heights lost at home to 2nd placed Brighton 88/119, with 2 rinks up, - so taking 4 points out of the wreck.

The match was played on KHSC front show-green (28/11) that ran 11-12 damp seconds in strong gusty winds.

The loss has pushed the top side down one spot to 5th, meaning that after the first-1/2 of the season now completed,
we have been beaten by all of the 4-teams above us, and enjoyed wins over the 5 teams below us. The seasons half-way mark records KHSC at 5/4 after 9 rounds.

The rink winners were Doug O'Connell who had a welcome return to the winners list with an 8 shot 27/19 result, and Ray Jansen,
who won the deciding end against Brighton's star skip Lee Schraner, after being tied up at 24/24 (on the 24th) and getting home by one shot.

But the other 2 rinks were a mess.

The Peter Scerri rink had worked hard to get back from being 5/12 down after the 8th end & fought back to draw level 18/18 by the 18th. They were shaped to keep it going and had the momentum swinging with them. But Brighton's Geoff Maskell & his team just slipped into another gear whilst our 4 stalled their motor, and when we next looked up their scoreboard showed the rink at 18/28 after 23 ends with 2 to play.

Now hold your breath here, because this isn't a misprint, as the next 2 ends set a new club and world record for lawn bowls Division-1 pennant.

The Scerri boys proceeded to drop SEVEN shots on the 24th, - after having only one bowl in the head from Angus MacIsaac, which Brighton drove out.

Then, just to make sure nobody missed the shock of their second x 7-shot end-loss over 24 ends, they did it again on the 25th & last end dropping ANOTHER seven. That's 14 shots in two ends & 0/24 over their last seven ends lost on the trot. They finishing their day at 18/42. A simply astonishing form reversal from being tied up in the space of seven ends.

Now that is expensive & a sight you will probably never see again.

Neil Jewell was matched against Brighton's Todd Shannon and was immediately stunned by his & their 3rd's dynamic conversions, as his rink trailed 1/20 after the first 9 ends. They were then down 4/25 at the break, and by the 20th end this 20-shot margin hadn't changed. Their day finished at 18/34 & KHSC were gutted. Interestingly, the Jewell rink outscored Shannon, 17/14 over the next 16 ends after their embarrassing 9-end start.

Jewell's lead Ron Makin did his bit to try & take ownership of the rink with an outstanding 65 points for the match, as did Gordon Unwin (2nd) who recorded 50+ but the score cards were a little empty after that. A past President, skip & great bowler of the club (Les Parker) used to say that "if any rink lost by 16 shots or more, no-one in the rink can claim they played well. In Ron & Gordon's case their scores indicate they beat their opponents, and if that's so, then the damage must have been done at the top end, in spite of Parker's theory.

Next weeks round-10 match is against 9th placed Ivanhoe on their Tiff-dwarf grass. They've struggled this season after being depleted by the departure of several of their top-side stars. They won 16 points last weekend from the winless MCC.

Ivanhoe is the only club who refuse to allow their opponents to have a pre-match practice roll-up on the match rinks. It has caused considerable angst amongst their opponents. Their blanket refusal was announced by their committee that "they wanted to preserve their 'home-ground' advantage." It is therefore to important to state that in spite of their stance on pre-match roll-ups, Ivanhoe was still welcome to use our green if they chose to, as are all clubs drawn to play pennant matches at Barkers Road. We support the RVBA match-rink instruction.

Curiously Bundoora was directed to play Armadale on the Princes Park grass, - and not their carpet as expected. The Bundoora boys were down heavily early, but bolted home to win all 4 rinks by 35 shots overall.

Selection changes for the Ivanhoe match are likley to see a rejig of the Jewell rink with the under rated Gordon Unwin (2nd) moving onto the 3rd's mat, swapping with Graeme Spry, and quite possibly seeing Grant Pickering (3) taking over as skip from Peter Scerri who would comfortably swap as Grant's 3rd to give these rinks a fresh new balance necessary to commence the 2nd half of the season.

It has also been confirmed that Brendan Hoey (former Premier division skip) & his partner Denise Knight (former state rep) will arrive early in January from Queensland, and will be available to play the remainder of the pennant season for KHSC. (6 matches + finals)


A FEW MATCH HIGHLIGHTS.

* After a few consecutive losses, the O'Connell rink requested a lead change for the Brighton match to include Neil Stoney. It must have
been a winning move because it resulted in an 8-shot win. His former lead (Geoff Mathers) joined Ray Jansen, and their rink won too. So work that out.

* After trailing by 21 shots after only 11ends the Neil Jewell rink outscored their opponents 14/9 on the remaining 14 ends.

* On the other hand, the Scerri rink, when tied up at 18/18 on the 18th end, collapsed to lose the next 7 ends straight & drop 24 shots.

* The 2 consecutive end x 7-shot losses in a Division-1 pennant match is we think an all time record, and was their third x
7-shot loss in the same 25 end match. (Scerri rink) 21 shots dropped in x 3 ends. "That's exhausting!!"

* Ray Jansen asks for position bowls behind the head to protect his +2 tight shots on the basis that Lee Schraner will drive back the jack
& score 5 shots. (We didn't have a bowl behind) All attempts to get one behind the head fell short.
And with his last bowl, just as Ray predicted, Schraner runs the jack into the ditch clean as a whistle. 5-down!!

* In a pre-match address we were told by the experienced Ray Jansen that 'today's' match would be won by the team that is UP
And no shorter than jack-high bowling into the wind to the club-house end.. He said "that's our home ground advantage."
We were slow to react to his instruction in most rinks.
Brighton got their bowls up to the head better & quicker than us in 3 of the 4 rinks.

* On the 9th end in the Jansen rink, the jack is moved x 4 times, and we are 4-down with Jansen to play the last bowl which he dead draws with a resting-toucher. 1+up.

* On the first end, Jansen is 4-down, and drives jack into the ditch for 2+. That's a 6 shot turnaround to open the days play and on the 3rd end, when 3-down he dead draws
for 1+.

* Neil Jewell's 1st half was a nightmare trailing 4/20 by the 10th and then just to add salt to the wound he drops a 5 on the 11th to go into the break 4/25 down.

RINKS & SCORES

(S) Peter Scerri, - (3) Grand Pickering, - (2) Angus MacIsaac, - (L) Ray Runting.
Final Score 18/42 Tea break score 10/15 (11 ends.)

(S) Neil Jewell, - Graeme Spry, - (2) Gordon Unwin, - (L) Ron Makin
Final Score 18/34 Tea break score 4/25 (11th end)

(S) Doug O'Connell,- (3) Mark Stoney, (2) Pat O'Connell, - (L) Neil Stoney
Final Score 27/19 Tea break score 17/12 (11th end)

(S) Ray Jansen, - (3) Justin Donaldson, - (2) Ian Feder, - (L) Geoff Mathers
Final Score 25/24 Tea break score 17/10 (14th end.)

TOTAL SCORE: 88/119 4/14 MATCH POINTS.

THE LADDER. Division-1 Section-1 After Round-9

Bundoora-RSL  8 1 301+ 140
Brighton             8 1 307 126
Lalor                   7 2 211 123
Melbourne        (2) 5 4 2- 84
_______________________________

Kew Heights     5 4 70- 83
Armadale          4 5 15- 76
Ashburton         3 6 124 62
Ivanhoe             3 6 149 56
Keilor                2 7 129 45
MCC                 0 9 334 15

It is obvious from the ladder at the half-way mark that there is one spot 'open' on the ladder. The top 3 are locked away and will not change.

KHSC should focus on securing this 4th spot, and only need to sharpen the rink concentration level overall to deliver 5 extra bowls within a mat length out of x 50 bowls over x 25 ends. Those 10% more effective bowls will translate into a certain rink win in at least 3 of 5 matches that we would expect to lose. Not much to ask. It's just getting rid of the mental laziness we ordinaire bowlers all experience on too many ends through a match.

Otherwise why is it that when we land the first bowl on target, (with a positive mental attitude & powerful concentration) we can't even get close to repeating it with our second? That's just mental laziness, and that's what too many of us go through too often.

If this continues, the selectors are entitled to trial others in those positions. Rink positions are not a right, they've got to be earned. (Week to week. Not month to month.) 3 x consecutive ordinary or below par matches in a row should result in your expecting to be replaced - and without a grizzle. We all should expect it & fight to prevent it, - on the mat.

There is a squad of 22 players, all capable of playing at the Division-1 level, and the 6 currently not in the top-16 are entitled to be given their chance if the need presents itself.

Selecting out-of-form players on reputation alone is unwise & rarely works. "Selectors should never make decisions driven by emotion."

The 2nds were sadly granted a walkover by East Ivanhoe (round-9) who withdrew this side due to reduced member numbers.
They have since withdrawn the team from the competition to reduce their weekly financial penalties for giving walkovers, and it also means that that our seconds will now face a bye in the last round before the finals, which is highly undesirable.

Planning should start now to determine the critical practice format for this round 18 bye. The side hardly wants to go into the first knockout semi final being short of tough match preparation.

The 2nds were granted 18 points and 15 shots for the walkover to remain undefeated on top of the ladder at the half-way mark.
Players selected for the 2nds in this round 9 walkover match, and who did not play pennant on Saturday, are recorded by the RVBA as having played this match.

Several of the 2nds team played for the 3rds against North Balwyn on their 17 second plastic and took 3 rinks and 16 points from the match with an eleven shot win.
A vital win for the 3rds.

Up & at em.
Geoff Mathers.
 

It's almost too much tension for mature minds & bodies to go through all over again. But we did.

Another last-end thriller.

Thrilling for Ashburton, who had closed the gap so brilliantly to only a ONE shot difference on the main board
with the last end (100th end) to be played out by Neil Jewell's rink.

We have put ourselves in this position 3 times in the previous 7 rounds when we virtually had the ten match points in the bank,
- in this case leading by 7 shots with 5-ends to play, - then 5+ after 97.

It had been a mini of collapse from our very solid start when we led by 18 shots (52/34) at the tea-break after 53 ends with 3-rinks up.
Only Doug O'Connell's rink trailed by 3 shots. All 4 rinks had been playing confidently and well.

This round 8 division-1 match was played on Ashburton's very slow top lawn green running at around 11 seconds in very
humid & grey overcast conditions, under the threat of heavy rain that arrived on the tick of 6 o'clock, just as we walked off the green.

It was dejavu playing out all over again in our minds as we watched the main board score margin tightening.

Peter Scerri's rink had finished '2-stubbies' earlier having pocketed the 2-points by 6-shots.

Ray Jansen almost got there needing 3-shots to clinch the 2 rink points over his last 2-ends, but couldn't close it, and they fell short by one.

Neil Jewel's boys had lost their comfortable 9-shot margin after 17 ends to be 19/18 with 4 to play. Then on the 24th end Jewell draws a resting toucher when 2-down. Their skip then plays his last with weight and springs the jack 5-feet sideways, only to see it land against a bunch of 3 x KHSC bowls and the pressure is electric, going into to their last with what looked like a 4-shot margin overall for the match points.

Doug OConnell's rink had been hanging in there after dropping 6/2 shots over the 5 ends to the 26th. (there had been 4 x dead ends)
KHSC had won singles on 27 & 28, & were 1-down on the 29th (Last) when the skips crossed. Doug pushed in a 2nd shot for Ashburton, and drew short with his last. We then watched their skip trail the cake 20cm for 3-shots, to take the main board score to 85/84. This three had been the largest score of any of the 15 ends 'Captain-Grumpy' had lost over the 29 end match, which included 8 x singles & 6 x 2's to go down 17/23. Dropping a 3 at that critical stage of the match was a bitter disappointment for the rink, not to mention the entire team, but it was due to a brilliant opposition skip shot executed perfectly over the longish end.

KHSC still led by one shot with one end to be played.

The Ashburton teams (players from the bottom green who'd finished) & supporters now all congregated around our green and erupted in excitement & anticipation, and we all looked on stunned & white-faced as Nick Jewell and his boys had the job of saving the day again, needing to defend a one shot lead for the ten match points.

So the chips were down. Another last end challenge (100th end) to test our mental toughness & skills under pressure.

The main board shows the score as 85/84, and The Jewell rink leads 23/21. The jack is rolled by Ashburton to a 3/4-length.

Ron Makin (L) sticks one on & holds shot within 6 inches.

Gordon Unwin (2) draws to reach, but unfortunately springs the jack to the right, and it jams against an Ashburton bowl. We are now one down.

Gordon's 2nd bowl is a little wide & 30cm behind. Still one down.

Graeme Spry runs into one of their short bowls, and with his 2nd delivery running quicker he bounces around short front bowls
and finishes 40cm wide & behind on the forehand side. We're still one down when the skips change over.

Their skip plays his first with a little too much weight for the draw shot required & gets a slide off a short bowl that angles him into solid contact with their shot bowl, - only to watch in horror as the 'jack' is sprung out 30cm wide to the forehand side and jam onto one of our 3 bowls sitting in a tight bunch. Very fortunately our lead, 2nd & 3rd's bowls had not been delivered short and were therefore always still in the game if the jack was to be moved, and it did.

Usually you'd expect our boys to be jubilant on taking the lead at such a gut-wrenching time and under so much tension, - but there was virtual silence, - both from on the green and the surrounds. We, and all of their players & supporters just couldn't believe what they had just seen. It took about 5 to 10 seconds to digest. They'd just given their shot away at such a crucial time, and one that was going to be very difficult for Neil Jewell to move. None of our team could bring themselves to make a sound, out of respect for Ashburton's unlucky disappointment.

There was a weird silence over the green, with their skip now left with only a one bowl opportunity to try & reverse the damage he'd just inflicted.

"KHSC is now holding three shots."

Neil Jewell dead draws another with his first, - and we're 4-up with their skip holding the one bowl that might still change the match.
Basically, he must try & kill the end to have any chance of keeping the match alive.

He plays a weighted running shot, hits a short bowl and deflects out of harms way. Phew!!

We hold 4 shots to win the match points and it gives Neil's boys a 6-shot rink winning margin.

There's a loud cheer of relief, - but no club song as we all realised how lucky we had been to claim the 10 points.

The win confirms the club's 4th place on the ladder, now one game clear of Armadale behind Lalor, Brighton & Bundoora-RSL on top.

Next weeks match at Barker's Road against 2nd placed Brighton sees the completion of the first half (Round-9) of the season.

Brighton have only lost one match when they were belted on Bundoora's lawn green by around 50 shots. John Macintyre (former Premier Division skip) said after that win,..."Brighton certainly have 4 very good skips, (led by Lee Schraner & Geoff Maskell) but they are found wanting up front, and are therefore very brittle if you can put a good team performance together against them. Their skips just won't be able to 'save' EVERY head. That's how we played them, and they just wilted under that total-team pressure, set up by all our leads & 2nds."

Highlights from the Ashburton match.

* The Peter Scerri rink who won by 6-shots, held 7-shots on the last end before the break (15th) only to see the opposition skip 'kill' the end and go into the shed leading 14/7, and then on their last end (25th) they held 5+ until the opposing skip drew inside the 5-shot cluster for 1+.

* Angus MacIsaac said later "their skip played maybe 3 top shots for the day, and sadly 2 of them robbed us of eleven shots!"

* Doug O'Connel was holding shot on 4 of the 1st x 6-ends only to have it stolen from him each time and lose the first half dozen to trail 0/8.

* Ray Jansen was 6-down on the 10th end, and then drew the perfect 'resting-toucher' to take one & hold his lead at 12/6.

* 23rd end. Ian Feder (Jansen's 2nd) drives jack into the ditch and holds 2+. They outdraw the shot, which Jansen drives out, then repeats the same shot after their skip put in another right on the ditch. Breathtaking bowling & outstanding accuracy. 1+ to KHSC.

* Doug 'O'Connell drives accurately when 4- and get's one-shot on 23rd end.

* Strong performance from Mark Stoney who bowled a 60 rating for the day, which included x 6 conversions from DOWN to UP,
& added to the winning head x 9 times. (9 different heads)

* Under extreme pressure on the 25th end, Ian Feder delivers a resting toucher to support his 1st bowl of a mat-length & 2nd shot behind the cake.

* On the 14th Ray Jansen plays the 'almost' perfect weighted draw shot which springs the jack out from being 3-down, only to watch the jack
sail across to another bunch of Ashburton bowls.. Great shot to go from 3-down to 3-down.

* 'Captain Grumpy' (Doug) asks his lead Geoff Mathers, to drive the jack or bowl (toucher) into the ditch, after he'd trailed the jack with his first to the ditch edge, and the opposition lead had drawn his first close. (14th end) Mathers, "the driving lead" hits the jack fair-square up the clacker with a gun-barrel drive that blasts the jack into the ditch-wall, - only to see it bounce back onto the green and roll out of bounds. We would have held an unbeatable 2+ with 6 bowls still to come. Bugger!
(Rebounds like that shouldn't happen, - but they do because some ditches are too narrow, and or the ditch-wall is too hard & doesn't cushion the impact. That is precisely why KHSC has added a softening synthetic material over our ditch walls. It's very effective, and it looks good. Used to be hard black rubber.)

* Doug O'Connell delivered the pre-match address to the side, which has resulted in 2-wins from 2-talks. Both of them too have have resulted in last-end wins. Keilor & now Ashburton. His first theme (at Keilor) was based on "playing the match in 5-end match-play blocks."
This week, (Ashburton) - "delivering our bowls with a positveness and enough weight to MOVE the jack, - due to the green slowness."
Both very useful & important strategies. It obviously worked.
I guess he'll now get the gig next Saturday against Brighton after his 100% success rate, and I hear the Melbourne Football club is showing interest in their hunt for a motivational speaker.

Doug did say though that his two inspirational talks immediately followed getting LOST on the way to both these venues, - so will the co-incidence work next week at Barkers Road? He's unlikely to get lost coming to his home club. Maybe we should save his talks just for away games where we need it most? "Ho hum!"

The Ladder. Div-1, Sect-1. (After Round-8)

P W Shots Points
Bundoora-RSL 7 1 264+ 122
Brighton 7 1 256 112
Lalor 6 2 167 107
Kew Heights 5 3 39- 79
____________________________

Armadale 4 4 22+ 75
Melbourne (2) 4 4 3- 68
Ashburton 3 5 76- 60
Keilor 2 6 126- 43
Ivanhoe 2 6 141- 40
MCC 0 8 324- 13


"Up & at em."
Geoff Mathers.


.............................................................................................................


THE UNIFICATION QUESTION?

After years of procrastination, a vote for unification of the RVBA & VLB will finally take place on 3rd December, at the Mooney Valley Race Course at 1pm.

It is essential for the healthy future of the sport that a YES vote goes through, - but it is far from a fait accompli.

It requires 75% of the votes cast to be in favour of the merge.

Every Victorian RVBA club gets 2-votes (one for each delegate) & the VLBA constitution entitles one vote per club.

KHSC members have already voted for our delegates to support the merger.

Resistance & delays have mostly come from the country clubs who had concerns & disagreements about re-zoning & board representation.

However, I have heard that a few Metro clubs have taken the decision to vote NO. One in particular said to me that their club (RVBA members) had decided to
vote NO because of their dissatisfaction with the way the entire 'Unification' issue has been handled & presented by the Association's.

That of course is not the right reasoning for a NO vote, but it is a good indication of the kind of emotion that unification planning has generated with many bowlers.

It's fair to say that the way it's been handled generally has been unclear & far from displaying the required positive spin to make member clubs want to vote for it.

At the recent RVBA AGM, EO Peter Hanlon was asked, "how much money unfication would save overall on the bottom line?"

The answer offered was a stunner. "We haven't got an accurate figure, (meaning no-one had taken the time to do the numbers)
but we expect it will represent a saving of around 10%."

Can you believe that no-one at any time has ever done a thorough review & audit of these numbers! You'd think that might have been one of the first tasks
by any administrator when the concept of unification was mooted some 8 - 9 years ago, or at least some time along the journey over almost a decade.

However, a hypothetical reason might be that no-one in power wanted to speculate & project up-front expectations, in terms of
who might be retrenched and who might stay, if a merger was to occur. It would have meant putting a line through names on the staff list, - and maybe even their own!!!!

For obvious reasons an independent head hunter should be appointed to make these critical decisions about leadership & staffing of the new association.

It should not be mandatory that one of the existing EO's (VLBA's Leonie Schulz or RVBA's Peter Hanlon) get's the nod to take-over the running of the new Bowls Victoria Inc, and you'd have to expect one of them would become redundant if the YES vote wins on the 3/12.

It is the perfect opportunity to review the entire running of the sport in Victoria, rationally & unemotionally, and to engage the best people available in the marketplace to lead it into the future. If that is one of the encumbant EO's then so be it, - so long as this new CEO position has been widely advertised and all applicants independently interviewed.

Watch this space.

......................................

The teams & Rink Scores

LOST 17/23 (T-Break Score 8/11) (S) Doug O'Connell, (3) Mark Stoney, - (2) Pat O'Connell, - (L) Geoff Mathers
WON 22/16 (T-Break Score 14/7) (S) Peter Scerri, - (3) Grant Pickering, - (2) Angus MacIsaac, - (L) Ray Runting
LOST 23/24 (T-Break Score 14/11)(S) Ray Jansen, - (3) Justin Donaldson, - (2) Ian Feder, - (L) Neil Stoney
WON 27/21 (T-Break Score 16/5) (S) Neil Jewell, - (3) Graeme Spry, - (2) Gordon Unwin, - (L) Ron Makin

Final Score = 89/84 (14/4)