BBC BROADCAST WEDNESDAY JANUARY 3rd (Terry Norwood at the desk)
Some info and reminders:
- It is with sadness that the Bowral Men’s Bowling Committee notes the passing of long time bowler Kelvin Limbrick. Kel, who had just reached the age of 91, had recently been resident at ‘the Abbey’. No details are yet available of funeral arrangements.
- On Wednesday February 14th, a group of approximately 40 from Canberra will visit Bowral Bowling Club to join us for bowls. The exact format is yet to be decided but, given the numbers, it is very likely to be games of fours. The arrangements will be posted as soon as available.
- Very good numbers are turning out for social bowls which is great. If you intend to bowl, please ensure you have your name listed by 11.30 so that the Match Committee has plenty of time to arrange the cards.
- The latest participation in bowls numbers (ie July to December) have now been posted on the Men’s notice board. A few bowlers are nearing 50 games, the magical number which will entitle them to play social bowls free of green fees.
Social Bowls
Thirty-four very keen bowlers turned out for bowls on the first Wednesday in January despite the weather forecast of possible rain and storms. Six matches of triples were organised by the Match Committee and one of pairs. Ignoring the very slight drizzle, the games got underway at 12.30. The rain disappeared for a while, but, unfortunately, re-appeared later to bring a close to proceedings. All games were able to complete between 12 and 16 ends, so there was some joy in the afternoon.
In the pairs match on rink 12, Ted ‘Mr Ed’ McPhee and Steven ‘unruffled’ Goddard took on Joel ‘Grrr’ Hunt and Clive ‘dasher’ Neutze. This game turned out to not be as close as the Match Committee had imagined. Despite leading 3 – 2 after four ends, Joel and Clive were soon under pressure when they conceded three consecutive three shot ends. They scrambled a couple of shots back but Ted and Steven were well on top at 19 – 5 when the rain brought play to an end after fourteen ends. We’ll never know whether a comeback was on the cards!
The affable Ted, and equally affable Steven were well on top when rain intervened!
In the first of the triples games on rink 7, Barry Werfel, Michael Hook and Peter ‘Virgin’ Flight battled against Graham ‘smurf’ Denman, Col Stone and skipper Bob ‘wily’ Edwards. Again, the game was not as close as expected when the match ended after thirteen ends. Both teams won early ends to get onto the scorecard, and it was 4 – 3 to Peter’s team after four ends. It was then that team Flight took off, and a sizzling six shot haul on the seventh end put them in a very strong position. When rain stopped play, Peter’s team was well in front at 20 – 9. Knowing Bob however, a comeback was likely!
On rink 8, Keith ‘fox’ Edwards, Bill ‘the’ Pope and ‘junior’ Cummins battled for bragging rights against John Fleming, Wal Markow and Terry Norwood. Both teams scored early, but it was junior’s team that enjoyed success and led 8 – 1 after six ends. ‘junior’ was in particularly good form, taking shots away from the opposition on a regular basis. Team Norwood extracted some justice by winning a few ends, but the combination of the ‘fox’, the ‘pope’ and ‘junior’ was formidable. When rain halted play after twelve ends, the score was 12 – 5 . . . but a come-back was imminent!
‘junior’ Cummins was in hot form!
On the next rink, Graham Hartnup, Russell Dunstan and the indefatigable Gordon Lewis took on Brian ‘misère’ Bailey, Arny Lenczuk and skipper Ian ‘one leg’ Crow. It was unfortunate the rain stopped this game when it did because this was turning into a very dogged battle. Fourteen ends had been completed before rain and the score was a close 14 – 11 in favour of Ian’s team. Both teams had won seven ends, and the difference really was the five shots team Crow had scored on the fifth end. This was turning into a cracker of a game; pity about the rain.
Ian and Gordon were having a good battle as skippers!
Rink 10 saw Charles Coode, Rowena Coode and Owen ‘wily Scot’ Williams battle against Ian ‘cool’ Duncan, Joe O’Donnell and skipper Charles Stewart. Team Stewart opened with a five shot score on the first to knock the wind out of their opponents. Team Williams bounced back immediately with a couple of ends, but Charles’ team roared out to lead 14 – 3 after seven ends. However, Owen whipped his team into action and they strung together a number of ends to match it with the opposition. Unfortunately, the rain ruined what was an exciting match after sixteen ends with Charles’ team leading 17 – 16.
Rowena and Joe had a solid battle as seconds!
In the final match, Peter Cornwell, Don Chapman and Tony ‘flick’ Oakes took on Jill Harwood, Neville ‘the’ Tanner and gentleman Jim Starkey. Tony’s team ripped the start taking 6 shots on the first two ends, but were behind at 6 – 8 after five. What a start! Tony’s team then had an excellent run to lead 18 – 10 and looked to be getting on top of their opponents. However, the Jim inspired team grabbed eight shots over the next three ends to have the scores level at 18 all when the rain intervened. What a pity; this was turning out to be a ripper of a game.
‘Gentleman’ Jim led his team back from a large deficit!