A parade of bright Christmas T-shirts, dangling Santa earrings and flashing necklaces guided us out onto the green on Tuesday.

The Minor Singles semi-finals were played with the final to be played on or before 14th December between Maureen Miller/Heather Harvey and Lorraine Baker/Chris Curteis. Commiserations to Chris Cox/Kay Craft and Maria Willcockson/Carol Reed. Great sportsmanship everyone and thumbs up to umpire Gwenda.

In social games, Cherie Frame/Brenda Davies/Betsy Johnstone enjoyed a close match versus Vi West/Elaine Miller/Hilda McPherson on Rink 6. All was going well, nice and even, until Team McPherson lost their mojo and gifted the last few ends to Team Johnstone.

Too much Christmas cheer and your game suffers! That was the case for Valmai Westcott/Merilyn Rodgers/Rose Mitchell when they came up against Frances Charlton/Isabel Svensden/Maureen Baillie/Lea Orr. Team Orr wrapped up the match unchallenged.

Our Joanie will try anything! Her flashing earrings blinded the opposition, resulting in a sound win to Jan McPhee/Gwenda Carty/Rhona Went/Joan Simpson over Julie Green/Beth Thomas/Lynn Ryan on Rink 3. The latter team crept into double figures by scoring a 4, giving them all hope for next time!

By Lea Orr

The rain has been a treat for the greens, however, keeping our Ground Control busy.

The main event was the Minor Singles Championship final between Lorraine Baker and Maureen Miller. Tension was high, and the match was an even contest. The scores ebbed and flowed, with Maureen finishing with a surge to take the title for 2021 over 32 ends.

In social games, Isabel Svensden/Eileen Bradley/Lynn Ryan/Maureen Baillie came up against the barrage of Flo Riseborough/Hilda McPherson/Liz Byrne with Team Byrne’s score reaching the high-water mark and Team Baillie remaining in drought.

In a raucous game of fours, Frances Charlton/Di Howell/Maria Willcockson/Merilyn Rodgers/Rosemary Mitchell played Kim Evans/Lea Orr/Chris Cox/Jan McPhee/Vi West. Scores rose steadily but the depth of experience in Team West was the catalyst for a win!

In another triples game, scores remained close all the way. Carol Reed/Chris Curteis/Heather Harvey kept their heads above water, leaving Kate Keogh/Kay Craft/Joan Simpson bobbing in their wake.

By Lea Orr

The weather gods smiled on us on Saturday and four championship matches were played.

Minor Pairs Championship

Rob Irving and Jim Blake started well against Brian and Greg Townsend and lead 10-1 after nine ends. Brian and Greg fought back, but Rob and Jim advanced to the next round with a win 18-12.

Mixed Pairs Championship

Gwenda Carty and Col Hayward had a close match against Merilyn Rodgers and Wilbur Harris. After six ends Merilyn and Wilbur had opened up a lead of 10-3, Gwenda and Col gradually got back into the game, but in the end Merilyn and Wilbur won 24-20.

Maree Grant and Tom Furey were too strong for John Wright and Bettsy Johnstone, winning 31-15.

In the Handicap Pairs Dave Johnson and Mal Porter lead all the way against Col Miller and Ron Hornery, running out winners 33-21.

By George Bradley

Women’s Bowls

The rain has given the greens a blast of oxygenated H2O, and Ground Control have done a grand job preparing the perfect surface.

In the semi-finals of the Minor Singles Lorraine Baker defeated Lynn Ryan in a close tussle in atrocious conditions last Friday, and Maureen Miller sewed up the match against Heather Harvey on Tuesday. The final will take place between Lorraine and Maureen next week.

In a social game of pairs, Marja Iffland and Fran Dixon kept it very friendly when playing against Betsy Johnstone and Lynn Ryan, drawing the game 15-all.

Sue Butson of Ulladulla and Flo Riseborough were pleased with their game, and enjoyed a win over Kay Craft and Carol Reed.

Valmai Westcott/Chris Cox/Merilyn Rodgers had a challenge on their hands against Frances Charlton/Di Howell/Vi West, the eventual winners by a good margin.

Kim Evans/Jan McPhee (sisters with attitude), together with Rose Mitchell and Joan Simpson were even-stevens against Eileen

Bradley/Hilda McPherson/Maureen Baillie, 20-all after 21 ends!

To play social bowls, call the club between 9 – 9.30am with play to commence at 10am.

By Lea Orr

Men’s Bowls

Minor Triples Championship
Rob Irving and Jo and Mike Simpson had a bit of trouble shaking off Greg Huggins, Jim Blake and Mal Porter. After 16 ends Team Huggins lead 14-13 but then Team Irving took control and won all of the remaining ends to win 25-14.

Mixed Pairs Championship
Only one match of Mixed Pairs was played last week, and what a close game it was. The team of Brett and Cherrie Frame were up against Dave Johnson and Lorraine Baker. The scores were locked at 21 all with one end to play. Both teams were holding shot but eventually Brett and Cherrie scored two shots to advance to the semi-final.

By George Bradley

2021 MAJOR TRIPLES CHAMPIONS

The final was played between Mike Went, Mark Dwyer and Greg Townsend against Wilbur Harris, Guy Ellery and Steve Turn-er. Team Harris won the first two ends but were down by one shot (9-10) at the half way point. Over the next 4 ends Team Went scored 11 shots to open up a lead of 21-9. Team Harris won 4 of the last 9 ends but could not bridge the gap and team Went ran out winners 28-15.
Congratulations to Mike, Mark and Greg– the 2021 Club Major Triples Champions!

MIXED PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP

Only one match played with Liz Byrne and Col Mudie too good for the pairing of Jan McPhee and Mark Dwyer, winning 23 -11.

HANDICAP PAIRS

Tom Furey and Greg Huggins played John Wright and Gary McPhee, who advanced to the next round with a 24-21 win.
Rob Tinker and Tony Reardon had the lead over Steve Turner and Martin Tighe from the word go to win 23-20.

By George Bradley

COLOUR AND EXCITEMENT

The Parkes Bowling and Sports Club was buzzing with excitement and colour on our Spring Fling Gala Bowls Day on Tuesday.

All 52 bowlers enjoyed getting together with visitors from other clubs, dressing in colourful, floral mufti, and playing social bowls.

We all lined up to bowl one delivery, simultaneously, towards the “spider” to start off the day. Chris Cox and Betsy Johnstone accepted the offered prizes.

The “Irish” end tested us out, with the jack being rolled towards the bowls, instead of the normal order of events. And to finish, we played with our opposite hand, leaving many of us diving for cover!

With a picnic-style lunch awaiting us, the action moved inside. A tremendous day all round, and we raised $981 for CanAssist!

Happy birthdays to November calendar babes: Helen, Elaine and Heather!

To play social bowls next Tuesday, call the club, 68621446, between 9 – 9:30am to play at 10am.

By Lea Orr

 

Minor Pairs Championship

The match between Jim Blake and Rob Irving and the pairing of Bernie Mitchell and Mike Valentine looked like a footy match played in two halves. After 5 ends Bernie and Mike lead 10-0 and ‘half time’ was called. Whatever was said during the break made Jim and Rob won all but one of the remaining ends to run out winners 22-11. In a close match Mick Simpson and Wilbur Harris had the lead 15-6 after 14 ends before Martin Tighe and Gary McPhee won the remaining 7 ends to just get up, 16-15.

Mixed Pairs Championship

Elaine Miller and Steve Turner started well but on the sixth end Jan McPhee and Mark Dwyer took the lead. They continued to lead and going into the last two ends they were ahead 22-14. On the second last end Elaine and Steve scored five shots, but could not bridge the gap on the last end. Jan and Mark ran out winners 22-20. Maureen and Col Miller had a good win against Fran and Grahame Dixon 32-9, but in the next round were out played by Cherrie and Brett Frame, 27 – 11. Handicap Pairs
Brian Townsend and Brett Frame won against Ray Jones and George Boatswain, 34-17.Tom Furey and Greg Huggins had a win over Bernie Mitchell and Mike Valen-tine, 29 – 17.

By George Bradley

 

Round 2 of the Minor Championship Singles filled half the rinks on Tuesday at the Parkes Bowling and Sports Club. Winners through to the next round, to be played on or before 16th November, are Maureen Miller (defeated Fran Dixon), Lynn Ryan (df Carol Reed), Heather Harvey (df Kay Craft) and Lorraine Baker (df Julie Green). Some excellent bowls played, and all in the spirit of the game. Well done to all eight ladies. Thanks to the markers and Umpire Liz.

In social games, Hilda McPherson/Maria Willcockson/Gwenda Carty proved too strong for Valmai Westcott/Kate Keogh/Lea Orr.

Anne Wright/Kim Evans, sharing the lead spot, with Betsy John-stone and Brenda Davies were slow out of the gates, giving Eileen Bradley/Chris Cox/Marja Iffland too great a lead to peg back, but try they did! Similarly, Chris Curteis/Vi West/Rhona Went opened up a double figure lead against Beth Thomas/Jan McPhee/Helen Heraghty, stayed ahead, but won by just three points at the bell.

Groundsman Greg had a busy morning – we’re always grateful to Ground Control. Maureen was just as busy behind the bar. Thanks, dear lady!

Melbourne Cup is here on Tuesday, 2nd November, and it will be a day of casual bowls and serious bets. All welcome to put your name down at the bar (before tomorrow) for mixed bowls, mufti dress, Dev’s kitchen lunch, sweeps and a great time! $15 entry. Thank you to Maree Grant Photography for sponsoring the day!

The gardens and surrounds are an absolute picture at the moment! Well done to our gardeners with green thumbs! Come on

Over 30 chosen ones graced the turf for their weekly therapy session. Vi West and Brenda Davies came away with a win against the emotional pairing of Fran Dixon and Kate Keogh.

Hilda McPherson, Kay Craft and Maureen Baillie walked out under the delusion they may trap a win. Unfortunately, Rose Mitchell, Maureen Miller, Kim Evans and Robyn Morgan had other ideas and played the stronger game.

Lynn Ryan, Helen Heraghty and Heather Harvey took the lead by opening with a 5, and remained there, always mindful of leaving Eileen Bradley, Isabel Svensden, Carol Reed and Elaine Miller requiring therapy.

Beth Thomas, Lorraine Baker and Rhona Went played with good karma and focus, opening up a strong lead over Frances Charlton, Jan McPhee and Maree Grant. The latter overcame their negative vibes, but lost overall by a small margin.

By Lea Orr

The final of the Women’s Club Fours was played on Tuesday at the Parkes Bowling & Sports Club. The champions for 2021 are Marja Iffland, Maria Willcockson, Gwenda Carty and Cherie Frame.

After a sluggish start, they rose to the occasion and went on to defeat the runners-up, Julie Green, Laurie Keane, Eileen Bradley and Carol Reed, 29 – 13. Thanks to umpire Liz.

The first semi-final of the Minor Singles of the Club Championships was played with Greg Townsend against Rob Irving. It turned out to be a marathon match lasting 38 ends. For the first 25 ends Rob had a narrow lead. On the 26th end Greg scored 4 shots to lead for the first time 20-18. By the 37th end the scores were tied at 29 and after a tense last end Rob claimed the match 31-29. He will play in the final against either Gary McPhee or Brian Hampton.