BOWLS HAPPENINGS WEDNESDAY JULY 5th (Terry Norwood reporting)
A couple of points to open with:
- For those who indicated interest in the men only pennants competition there is a sheet on the notice board where you will need to indicate your availability over the period of the event. It would be helpful if you could attend to that asap.
- Bowlers are reminded that the wearing of uniform is no longer required for social bowls on Saturdays. Uniform is required however when competing in club competitions.
- The RSL shield, the first Club competition of the new season, will commence this coming Saturday July 8th. From the nominated pairs, six teams of four bowlers will be formed, and the competition opens with the fours matches. The games will be decided by draw on Saturday morning.
Wednesday Social Bowls
Thirty-one bowlers turned out for social bowls on what was a chilly Wednesday afternoon. The blustery westerly wind ensured that bowlers kept their jackets zipped and their minds alert trying to pick the line. The games were played on the synthetic Waratah Green as Tuesday’s rain had left the Wilson Green fairly soft in places. Given the number of bowlers, one of the games needed someone to act as swing lead bowler for both sides. Newcomer Jill Harwood kindly agreed to fill that role.
On rink 7, a triples match featured Terry Butt, Richard Denman and ‘gentleman’ Jim Starkey against Mike Hook, Arnold Lenczuk and wily skipper Mick Flynn. Jim’s team got away to a flyer scoring six shots on the first two ends. Team Flynn then got on the board with three singles, but lost the next four ends to be down 3 – 15 after nine. Team Starkey continued to dominate their opponents and led 22 – 5 after fourteen ends. And although Mick’s team fought back somewhat winning five of the remaining ends, Jim, Terry and Richard coasted to a comfortable 30 – 17 victory.
Jim Starkey was in very good form in blustery conditions!
On rink 8, Jill Harwood was swing lead for both team Forrester (Graham Hunt and ‘Mr Gentrified’ Chris Forrester) and team Oakes (Terry Norwood and Tony Oakes). Chris’ team made much the better start taking five of the opening six ends and setting up a lead of 9 – 1. Tony’s team then won the next three ends but were trailing 12 – 5 when the match reached the halfway stage. The second half of the game was more even in terms of ends won, but the heavier scoring by Chris’ team ensured that they ran out comfortable winners 23 – 12. Jill had a good battle against herself, while Graham and Chris were both in very good form as they tussled with their opponents.
Chris Forrester was in great form!
In the eighteen-ender on the the next rink, Keith Edwards, John Fleming and ‘the rowdy one’ Paul Rubie had a no holds barred battle with Phil Payne, Bill Pope and ‘the quiet achiever’ John Cummins. In an overwhelming exhibition of skill and determination reminiscent of the Ossie cricketers, Paul’s team belted their opponents in the opening six ends to lead 11 – 1! However, it was then that the quiet achiever set about his work and, spurring his team back into the match, got them to within two at 10 – 12 by the thirteenth end. Team Rubie then moved out to lead 17 – 10 with three ends to play and must have felt confident. Far from done however, John and his team charged back at them in a thrilling close to the game – but it was team Rubie that just held on to win 17 – 15.
John led his team’s impressive comeback!
In a pairs match, Ian Duncan and skipper Bundy Boy Steve Day took on Brian Bailey and the maestro himself Robin Staples. Steve and Ian charged out of the blocks winning the first three ends and setting up a lead of 5 – 0. It was then that Brian and Robin found better form and won six ends on the trot to lead 10 – 5. Steve and Ian held their own sharing the next six ends with their opponents but still trailed 9 – 15. And that was as close as they were to get as Robin and Brian dominated the final five ends to run out very comfortable winners 23 – 10.
The maestro was in good form!
In another pairs match Joel Hunt and ‘the venerable’ Gordon Lewis took on Wal Markow and the wily leftie Bob Edwards. With a breathtaking five shot haul on the second end, Wal and Bob surged to a 6 – 0 lead and had their opponents shaking their heads. However, Joel and Gordon bounced back immediately to score three shots on the next two ends. It was then that Bob and Wal got on top and raced out to a massive lead of 16 – 4 after ten ends. Gordon and Joel hung in but still trailed by twelve shots at 22 – 10 at the eighteenth end. Then, in a whirlwind finish Joel and Gordon had their opponents gasping. Starting with a six on the nineteenth end they amassed ten shots on the last three ends. Much relieved Bob and Wal held on by their fingernails to win 22 – 20!
In a triples match on rink 12, Denis Lees, Ian Crow and skipper Don Coleman battled against Grahame Denman, Col Stone and Owen Williams. Although Owen’s team led after the first three ends, a scintillating five shot bag on the fourth saw team Coleman lead 6 – 3. And then another five on the seventh end took the lead to 11 – 7. On the ninth end, three shots then put Owen’s team back into the game at 10 – 13 down. Unfortunately for them however, their opponents then dominated the second half of the match. Winning all but two of the ends in the second half, Don and his men went on to a comfortable victory by 29 – 13.
Don Coleman led his team admirably!