BBC BROADCAST WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 30th
A couple of reminders to kick off with:
- With the support of the Mittagong RSL Club, the RSL Shield competition will be staged again this year. The competition will follow the usual pattern with teams of four playing fours, pairs/pairs and triples/singles over the three weeks commencing November 7th. The schedule awaiting entries is posted on the notice board at the Club. To spread the talent as we did last year, the Match Committee will form the teams prior to round one. This is open to men and women so let’s make sure we have another great competition this year.
- On Sunday October 11th, there will be a social bowling day when a group of travelling bowlers visits Bowral for a game. The plan is to bowl at 10am and then have lunch at 1pm. Gail Fraser is organising the Bowral end and has a schedule on the notice board where you can list your name if your are interested in joining what should be a pleasant day. Total cost is $30.
- The BBC Ltd will be holding its AGM at 9am on Sunday October 25th, so there is a date for the diary.
- And for the next episode of Coach’s Corner by Robin Staples, check below!!
Major Singles Championship
Saturday September 26th saw the completion of the round of 16 matches.
On rink 8, despite dropping a shot on the first end to Bob Edwards, Mick Fisher was quickly into stride to lead 9 – 1, and then pushed on to be in a strong position at 17 – 5 on the fourteenth. However, with his usual grit and determination, Bob then hit back taking six of the next seven ends to be within touch at 14 – 19. Mick then steadied to move to 23 – 14, and although he dropped a four shotter on the next end, he rounded out the win with a neat double. So, Mick moves to the quarters with a solid 25 – 18 victory.
In the battle of the heavyweights, Dugald Braithwaite dropped the first couple of ends against Ash Lewis, but then ran together five ends to lead 7 – 3. Ash then found his touch in the tricky breeze winning six of the next seven ends to lead 13 – 8. Dugald then hit back to lead 15 – 14, only to see Ash dominate again to lead 22 – 15, and then 24 – 18. Under great pressure, Dugald then put down some brilliant draws and saving shots to come from behind and snaffle a great victory! What a classic game of bowls!!
On rink 10, Robin Staples was immediately into solid form to lead Mick Flynn 4 – 2 after three ends, and then steaked away with classic draw bowling. With that magical backhand working a treat, and the occasional forehand not far behind, Robin left the hapless Mick in his wake. Major Championships are no time for mercy, and none was offered as Robin ground out a meritorious victory at 25 – 5.
In the final game, Ross Barber took the first three ends against newcomer Peter Hall, but by the sixth end it was 3 all. The more experienced Ross then made his experience tell and he pushed his advantage to 14 – 4 by the thirteenth. To his credit, Peter then won five of the next six ends, but singles meant that he was still well behind on the card. In the end, Ross notched up a couple of four shotters to move to the clubhouse 25 – 10 to the good.
So, the Quarter Final matches will be
Dugald Braithwaite Vs Oscar Whalin (Marker Ash Lewis)
Denis Lees Vs Peter Flight (Marker Alastair McGhee)
Robin Staples Vs Terry Norwood (Marker Jim Neely)
Mick Fisher Bye
The FOSS Trophy – Wednesday Social Bowls
Round one of the FOSS Trophy competition took place on Wednesday with thirty-two bowlers turning out. Teams were randomly drawn from pools of leads, seconds and skips, and four games of triples and two of pairs organised. Points are awarded on the results over twenty-one end games, with two points for a victory, one point for a draw, and a bonus point to any team that notched up a win by more than fourteen shots.
On rink 8, Joel ‘AC/DC’ Hunt, Alex Christlo and Richard ‘gazelle’ Denman won the first four ends against Mark Barrow, Peter Marshall and Paul ‘ricochet’ Rubie and then pushed on to lead 10 – 4 after eight. Paul’s team then found some better touch in the back half to forge to a lead of 18 – 13, only to drop nine shots on ends 19 and 20 to be four behind. And then, in an amazing finish, Paul’s trio grabbed a four to snaffle a 22 all draw. One competition point apiece for the members of these two teams.
In a pairs game, Ian Duncan and Viv ‘third’ Gear took the first three ends against Paul McInerney and Joe O’Donnell but by the sixth end it was all square at 5s. The game then settled into a close affair with neither side able to shake off the other. Scores were then 11 all on fifteen and three ends later 13 – 12 to Joe and Paul. It was then that Viv and Ian grabbed a four shotter, and this carried them through to a victory at 18 – 15. So, two competition points to each of Ian and Viv.
In the next game, Steve Bennett, Mark ‘rowdy’ Rundle and the wily Owen Williams dropped a double on the first end against Terry Salter, Jill ‘Hollywood’ Harwood and the dasher Clive Neutze but were 5 – 3 to the good by the sixth. However, Clive’s trio then grabbed the initiative to take the lead, and, with spinnaker fluttering skated through the back half leaving the opposition in their wake. The final score of 28 – 13 gave Terry, Jill and Clive three points each in the competition.
On rink 11, Barry Werfel, Russell Dunstan and Terry Norwood started brightly against Peter Hall, Wal Markow and coach extraordinaire Robin Staples to lead 9 – 1 after six ends. However, Wal then found really fine touch and with his skipper chipping in, team Staples worked its way back so that by the seventeenth end scores were 14 all. With it all to play for, Barry and Russell found some of their earlier form, and team Norwood was able to sneak home 18 – 15. Two points then to each of the winning team.
In the second of the pairs games, Mike ‘grappling’ Hook and Gordon ‘cobbler’ Lewis won four of the first five ends against Col ‘Hawaii’ Stone and Peter Flight to lead 7 – 2 and then pushed the score out to 8 – 3. By the eleventh end, the score was out to 11 – 5, and then, with Peter unwell, the game was called to a halt. Pete’s ok, but for the competition the result will be recorded as a win to Gordon and Mike who collect two points each.
In the final match, Brian ‘misère’ Bailey, Graham Hartnup and pairs champ Bob Edwards dropped a three on the first end against Ted ‘Mr Ed’ McPhee, Shane Harvey and Neil ‘noisy’ Puckeridge but led 7 – 5 after six. Bob’s trio was all smiles until they dropped an earth-shattering/horrendous/embarrassing SEVEN on the tenth!! Aaaahh!! From four behind the three in front in one end, team Puckeridge dropped the stick into overdrive and left Bob’s trio in their smoke. Ted, Shane and Neil all finished on top of their opponent in solid displays. Two points to each of them!
So, after the first round, our leaders in the FOSS Trophy competition are Jill, Clive and Terry Salter on three points followed by a host of bowlers on two points. New teams will be drawn up for round two next Wednesday, so come on bowlers, get your names entered!!
Coach’s Corner No 14
Continuing with the lead’s next requirement; to play draw shots close to the jack to lay a good foundation for the development of the head.
So let us suppose that you are a very good lead, or a not quite so good lead having a good end or two. Playing three bowl triples, you have your first two bowls within 15cm of the jack, terrific.
So your third bowl, now you are in the groove, do you add another one within 15cm of the jack? Well, the problem is that if you do add the third bowl you are making a very inviting target for an “on shot” or drive.
To prevent making that inviting target, try your best to place your third bowl 25cm (one foot) out and 25cm (one foot) back. Alternately, place your third bowl so that it just beats your opponents nearest bowl. Be close to the jack, but do not offer too much of a target.
If you are the opponent who is currently being outplayed, then the suggested position for your last bowl is 25cm (one foot ) directly behind the jack which develops your teams head while giving the subsequent bowlers maximum opportunity to take the shot away from our great lead.
Here is a thought for next Coach’s Corner;
Is a bowl that is a “toucher “ in front of the jack better than a bowl which is a “toucher “ behind the jack, and why?