Men’s Pennants Wrap Teams rewarded for their commitment

Another great season of The Professionals Men’s Saturday Pennants came to end with a fitting finale weekend, with premiers crowned across all divisions, and players rewarded for a season of commitment to the cause. Congratulations to all our winners, and for the rest, it is on again next year!

Premier League Manning 78 def South Perth 71

Manning’s path to this season’s title, whilst finishing with the same result – a grand final win over South Perth, was anything but the same as the season progressed. Last season it was Manning sneaking into fourth place on the table, and then taking all before them, defeating all three teams above them, to claim the title.

Instead, this season, Manning was very much the front runner, especially in the second half of the season.

The finals weekend wasn’t without any hiccups for the Eagles, losing the second chance final to South Perth, and having to go the hard way to the Grand Final.

That result was largely decided on the Shane Knott versus Daniel Brown rink. With Brown home by 12 for the Millers, and the remaining rinks close by comparison, it was the Millers booking themselves into their fifth grand final in a decade.

Alongside, Doubleview got home in a close one against Osborne Park. Chief destroyer for the View was Ryan Moyle, who with Brad White, Brad Pearce and Tom Whitfield dominated against Sean Mawdsley winning 31-14, and countering the John Goddard’s 15 shot win over John Slavich. The View home by just two shots in the end.

That left Doubleview and Manning to fight it out for the right to meet South Perth in the Grand Final. Double figure margins on two rinks secured the Eagles most important win for the season, to that point, especially given Knott copped another heavy loss.

The final was a brilliant spectacle held at the magnificent Thornlie Bowling Club. A carnival atmosphere greeted the players and it was a great show that they put on. For Manning, the key change in its performance came courtesy of the Knott rink, who with Nathan Jones, Andy Lill and Joe Angel reversed the two big results from the previous day, winning by 14 shots in a match they dominated in the second half.

Daniel Trewhella and Glenn Pauling played out an aggressive and high scoring match that ended 28-18 in favour of the Eagles, and while Brown was able to get home by nine shots over Tom Mitchell, the damage had been done and the Eagles were home for back to back premierships – something that has only been done twice since 2004.

1st Division White Bassendean 86 def Joondalup 85

In a season dominated by two teams, Joondalup and Bassendean battled all year for the ascendancy and that coveted top spot on the table, ensuring Premier League bowls next season – Bassendean prevailed in that race, leaving Joondalup to fight through the finals.

The first hurdle was defeating Bassendean to advance to the Grand Final – with that box ticked on the morning of finals day one, and Bassendean recovering to defeat Cockburn in the afternoon, promotion for Joondalup was assured.

The Grand Final was a highlight, with plenty of passion on show – Bassendean was in front by around ten shots most of the match only to have Joondalup close late.

A final bowl finish saw the Lions home for the pennant and we look forward to seeing what both teams can offer in Premier League next season.

1st Division Blue Manning 91 def Doubleview 50

The beauty of the 1st Division Blue Grand Final is that it pits two teams against each other that have yet to meet throughout the season.

To make the final both Doubleview and Manning finished atop the North and South 1 Blue, meaning both were in fine form.

Manning’s depth as a club is well on show here as the result indicates. Both these teams boast Premier League sides, so in the battle of both club’s second sides, it was a clear win to Manning with the result known well from home.

Three double figure margins meant that although Doubleview grabbed the fourth rink, the aggregate was beyond its reach. Both teams move into 1st Division White, and in a first, both challengers from 1 Blue, Bassendean and Leeming, move into 1 White after winning the challenge finals.