Three teams of triples travelled to Condobolin to contest the Jones Challenge Trophy. The teams had two wins and a draw on a miserably cold day to bring the trophy back to the Parkes Bowling Club. Forbes will now challenge the Parkes Club for the trophy in the next few weeks.

A bit of Aussie slang echoed around the greens on Tuesday as 20 true blue women went out to play bowls in wind that would blow a dog off his chain!

With a ‘no worries mate’ attitude, Brenda Davies and Laurie Keane defeated Lorraine Baker and Valmai Wescott in a close game of pairs.

A cry of ‘have a go you mug’ saw Kim Evans and Eileen Bradly come out on top in another close game of pairs against Hil-da McPherson and Kate Keogh (welcome back Kate).

Rhona Went, Chris Curteis and Marja Iffland played Joan Simpson, Carol Reed and Gwenda Carty in a game of triples, even though Joan put grippo on both hands it wasn’t enough to win a ripsnorter of a game.

Fran Dixon, Heather Harvey and Julie Green went walkabout to let Maureen Miller, Jan McPhee and Di Howell take advantage and prove to be too strong on the day.

A reminder that the club 4s close next Tuesday, 17th August. The 24th of August will be a big day with trading table (anything floral theme) and Rhona has generously offered to make soup which all bowlers will be able to buy for lunch on the day. Money raised will be going to the Pennant teams competing at state in October. To play social bowls on Tuesday please ring 6862 1446, between 9 and 9:30am.

By Maureen Miller

The bowls event of the day took place in Lane 4. After a warm-up to calm their nerves, Team Byrne (Carol Reed, Maria Willcockson and Liz Byrne) and Team Miller (Chris Curteis, Cherie Frame and Elaine Miller) settled in to contest the Club Championship Triples title for 2021. It was an ex-citing, close match, with the lead changing several times. Team Miller won the final end, taking the title 23 – 20, and head off to the podium to accept their gold medal!

Eighteen ladies rolled up for Tuesday’s ‘masked bowls’! Not exactly a sell-out, but those who attended made an effort to dress accordingly! Some colourful, patterned and batik masks were of interest, while many girls opted for the nil-washing option of the single-use variety! And then those low-cut versions – ooh la la!

First out on the dance floor of Rink 6, Kim Evans/Rosemary Mitch-ell/Maureen Baillie tangoed with Helen Heraghty/Jan McPhee/Rhona Went in the first round of the Club Championship Triples. Team Baillie trod on the toes of their opposition, winning by a narrow margin.

In the other triples title round, on Stage 2, Heather Harvey/Mau-reen Miller/Joan Simpson had all the right moves, but not enough to upset the winning rhythm of Merilyn Rodgers/Di Howell/Lea Orr.

Six ladies enjoyed a social hoedown up in the country on Rink 17! Julie Green/Gwenda Carty/Carol Reed out-performed Valmai Westcott/Kay Craft/Maria Willcockson. Julie recovered well from a mistimed moonwalk, and rallied for her team. Jules, you rock!

Once inside the club, when seated with food/drink, masks lost their appeal! Julie succumbed to liquid pain-killers!

The second round of the Club Championship Triples will be held in a fortnight, on 13th July.

Women have been playing bowls here at Parkes B & SC for 70 years! This milestone will be celebrated on Tuesday, 20th July. More details at the AGM.

Next Tuesday, 6th July, there will be social bowls till 12 noon, followed by the AGM at 12:30pm. A shared lunch, Covid-rules-friendly, will be enjoyed afterwards. If you prefer to bring your own lunch, please feel free to do so.

To play social bowls, call the club on 6862 1446 between 9 – 9:30am, with bowls to commence at 10am.

Milk n Mats Social Roster: Lea

By Lea Orr

The final of the club championship pairs was played on Tuesday with 16 bowlers gracing the greens. The in-form pairing of Liz Byrne and Rhona Went proved too strong for runners-up Merilyn Rodgers and Marja Iffland. Congratulations to you all!

Two games of triples filled the social bowls card. Flo Riseborough/Valmai Westcott/Maureen Baillie had a good win over Kim Evans/Rosemary Mitchell/Robyn Morgan, who were “bogged” on eight points for half the game!

Carol Reed/Heather Harvey/Lea Orr were vying for the lead all game against Lorraine Baker/Eileen Bradley/Joan Simpson. A close and enjoyable game, with Team Simpson taking the win. They continued on their winning ways, pocketing the cash in the winners’ draw!

The first round of the club triples will be on 29th June, as the earlier advertised date clashes with the Australian Open. Don’t forget the AGM on 6th July at 12:30 pm followed by a shared lunch. To play social bowls, please ring the club on 6862 1446 between 9 – 9:30 am, play to begin at 10.

Wintery conditions prevailed last weekend as 14 teams rolled out to contest the Minnie Riordan Parkes Classic Triples. A successful two days of bowls, camaraderie, close match-ups, with visitors from far and wide.

Overall winners were the Dubbo team of Bev Cross/Marg Rich/Aileen Beecroft, with Parkes taking second (Robyn Morgan/Leisa Burton/Maree Grant) and fourth place (Chris Curteis/Carol Reed/Rose Mitchell). Third place went to Laurie Keane/Cheryl McConnell/Nada Kurta.

Next week, the regional finals will be held at the Parkes Bowling and Sport Club with two Parkes teams in the mix!

Social bowls last Tuesday saw over 30 ladies coming to vote on the unification of men’s/ladies bowls into one organisational body, with 22 venturing onto the green.

By Lea Orr

As the greens were too wet to play bowls this week our members enjoyed a social morning playing carpet bowls and other fun activities.

Certificates were presented for years of membership with Women’s Bowls NSW: Hilda McPherson 40 years; Maureen Baille 30 years; Audrey Jones 25 years; Cherie Frame 20 years; Chris Curteis 10 years; Maree Grant 10 years; Elaine Miller 10 years; and June Burgess 10 years.

District Open Fours will be held at Forbes next Monday, on Tuesday teams will beplaying, while Senior Fours will be played at Cowra next week. Good luck to all!

On Tuesday, 18th May a meeting will be held before bowls to vote on unification between men’s and women’s bowls. Please attend and vote.

Club Championship Pairs are now open for nominations.

To play social bowls please ring table selectors between 9 and 9:30am. Visitors and new members always welcome.

This same week last year, we were reeling with the news of COVID-19 restrictions ceasing all our activities. A year on and we’re back and celebrating! Eighteen wee bairns kicked up their green heels in a grand manner for Tuesday’s St Patrick’s Day social bowls. The verdant-hatted spider had all the gals vying for that pot of gold, with Jan skipping off with the green goodies.

Magic didn’t happen for Beth Thomas, Eileen Bradley and Joan Simpson on Rink 10, as they went down to the lively team of Betsy Johnstone, Wendy Hendry and Kim Evans, still smiling with Irish eyes after scoring a 7 on one end. Valmai Westcott, Kay Craft and Brenda Davies took yonks to build a score and tried to hide in the clover on Rink 11 after their minor loss against Kerrie Nutley, Gwenda Carty and Maree Grant. Helen Heraghty, Merilyn Rodgers and Rhona Went used up all their allotted wishes in their game vs Hilda McPherson, Di Howell and Jan McPhee on Rink 9. The tricksters in team McPhee took the win.

To play social bowls call the club on 6862 1446, between 8:30 to 9am. Play commences at 9:30am. Good luck to our four contenders travelling to Orange to play in the District Singles on Tuesday.

Have you ever heard someone utter: “bowls isn’t exercise”? Apart from walking over 4,000 steps during a morning of bowls, it has been proven that many muscle groups get a workout – biceps, shoulders, abs are all well-used, but one of our club experts has proven that glutes do the majority of the work!

With wide smiles of anticipation, 26 young ladies donned their workout gear and hit the mats for their weekly session on Tuesday.

On mat 18, Cherie Frame/Liz Byrne, still fresh from their recent state representation, proved too fit for Marja Iffland/Heather Harvey.

Mat 15 was witness to a great wrestle. The difference in score was only one point as Kay Craft/Hilda McPherson/Di Howell flexed their muscles against Chris Curteis/Chris Cox/Maureen Miller. Sweat dripped and the heart rate quickened as Team Miller gained the advantage over the last 5 ends to draw level, and then win the tussle.

The action on mat 16 proved that tried and true muscles work longer with better results. Joan Simpson teamed with Gwenda Carty/Laurie Keane demonstrating to their opposition how it’s done, rising to success over Lynn Ryan/Eileen Bradley/Kim Evans.

The physical exertion continued on mat 17, where Jan McPhee and Rhona Went limbered up against Brenda Davies and Robyn Morgan. Team Went scored a run of winning ends which pushed up their score to an unbeatable high.

Finally, on mat 19, Fran Dixon/Carol Reed/Rosemary Mitchell set the pace in their game, winning 9 ends to 7 against Helen Heraghty/Merilyn Rodgers/Lorraine Baker.

By Lea Orr