BOWLS NEWS JULY 1st & 2nd (Terry Norwood reporting)
A few points that might be of interest to start:
- The AGM of the Men’s Bowls Committee was held at 11am on Sunday. Outgoing President Bob Crowley covered the minutes of the previous AGM and provided a report on the activities since the last AGM. With this meeting having been brought forward to align with the Bowls Australia year, Bob’s report covered the six months since the previous AGM. Incoming President Stephen Della, on assuming the chair, thanked Bob for his dedication and achievements in his time as president. President Stephen then outlined the program and priorities for the coming year. A report of the meeting will be posted on the notice board shortly. The incoming committee is Stephen Della President, Kevin Stafford Bowls Secretary, Terry Norwood Vice-President and committee members Graham Hunt, Ted McPhee, Chris Forrester, Terry Butt, Bob Crowley, Tony Oakes.
- Nominations for the men only Pennants Competition have now closed. It appears there are sufficient names put forward to enter two teams each of eight bowlers. Further details will be available soon.
- The first competition of the new bowls year, the RSL Shield will commence next Saturday July 8th with the playing of the fours.
- Bowlers are reminded that the wearing of bowls uniform will no longer be required on Saturdays. This decision was taken so that social bowlers without uniforms would be able to play. Members are reminded that uniform, blue or red, will still be required for competition matches.
Social Bowls Saturday July 1st
Eighteen bowlers decided to have a roll on what turned out to be a fairly ordinary day weather-wise. A cold, blustery wind blew from the west to ensure that bowlers kept their jackets tightly zipped. The wind also meant that selecting the line was quite different on each hand. Given the numbers, the match committee decided to run three games of triples.
On rink 2, Graham Denman, Terry Norwood and skipper Bob Edwards took on Peter Cornwell, Richard Denman and Kevin Stafford. Each side opened with a single to start but by the sixth end Kevin’s team led 6 – 4. They then won the next five ends on the trot to extend their lead to 13 – 4. Under pressure, Bob’s team then won three single shot ends and followed up with three shots on the fifteenth end. It was all too little however, as team Stafford won the majority of the remaining ends to run out very comfortable winners 22 – 11. Kevin bowled very well taking shots away from his opponents on many occasions, and Richard put down some fine bowls at crucial times. Overall, they simply out-bowled their opponents.
Kevin did plenty of damaged to his opponents!
On the adjacent rink, Ian Duncan, Tony Oakes and the unflappable Gordon Lewis battled against Graham Hunt, Owen Williams and the maestro Robin Staples (great to have you back on the green Robin). And what a thoroughly cracking game this turned out to be! Robin’s team won the first three ends but the scores were locked at 3 all after five ends. Team Staples scored six shots on the next two ends only to see Gordon and his men rack up thirteen shots on the following four ends and take the lead by 16 – 9. Shortly after, they led 18 – 10 and must have felt fairly confident of their chances. Then, however, far from done and with Graham leading extremely well, Robin’s team won five of the next six ends to edge to the lead by one shot. Team Lewis then regained the lead only to have their opponents match them on the last two ends. A tied score-line at 21 all!
Graham led very well especially during his team’s comeback!
In the final game Keith Edwards, Chris Forrester and ‘the doc’ Stephen Della went head to head against Arnold Lenczuk, Ian Crow and the wily leftie Mick Flynn. Both sides got themselves on the scorecard early but it was Stephen’s team that led 7 – 3 after six ends. With plenty of chat Mick got his team firing and they moved to the lead by 10 – 8 after eleven ends. Mick’s team then pushed the lead out to 12 – 8 on the next end only to have their opponents win five of the following six ends and assume the lead at 16 – 13. With his usual grit and determination, Mick spurred his team on to regain the lead by a shot with the last end to play. Down a shot when he went to the mat, Stephen played masterfully ensuring his team victory with a three shot haul. The final score in a beauty was 19 – 17 to team Della.
The ‘doc’ was in fine touch throughout the match!