The Parkes Services Club (PSC) has given the Parkes Bowling and Sports Club a $1,000 sponsorship for the Women’s Classic Triples weekend on 18th and 19th June. About 50 bowlers from Dubbo, Mudgee, West Wyalong, Lake Cargel-lico, Forbes and Canowindra will join the Parkes players for the weekend. At the cheque handover on Tuesday were (L-R) PSC Manager Cyndi Murphy with women’s bowlers Carol Reed, President Maureen Miller, Lea Orr, Liz Byrne and Heather Harvey.

A chocolate fix was just what was needed to coax the lady bowlers out onto the green for the opposite of a “Summer Roll” on Tuesday! 

Twelve of us trekked to the top green to play Rolo, aiming for a Bounty of Top Deck shots. 

Frances Charlton/Maria Willcockson/Liz Byrne were doing their best to Block the attack of Lynn Ryan/Maureen Miller/Rhona Went on the Rocky Road of Rink 15. Team Went thought they were Smarties, scoring a 6 on the 9th end, only to be beaten by 6 on the very next end! The Smarties won by 2 after a Dream run at the finish. 

When it came to the Crunch on Rink 16, there were more Snickers than Rolos happening! Carol Reed/Lea Orr/Betsy Johnstone, not necessarily in that order, enjoyed much shared banter with Heather Harvey/Merilyn Rodgers/Elaine Miller, with everything coming up Roses on the final end, with a 13-all draw. 

Once inside, Maureen, behind the bar, was left Twirling her thumbs as most of us opted for a hot drink before we Flaked. 

Tuesday, 14th June is our Pink Gala Day, with all proceeds going to breast care nurses. Wear your pink mufti outfit and bring something to add to the shared luncheon table. The lucky ladies playing the Club Championship Triples will need to wear their uniform – good luck to each of you, play will begin early for you. 

Our Classic Triples Tournament will be held the following weekend, 17th and 18th June. 

Nominations are now open for the Club Championship Fours and close on 28th June, with Round 1 to be played two weeks later. 

By Lea Orr 

Major Singles 

Early in the week Mick Simpson had a comfortable win against George Boatswain 25 – 7. On Sunday Mick was up against Tom Furey and after 15 ends Mick had opened up a lead of eight shots, 18 – 10. However, Tom found form and after 22 ends Mick’s lead had been cut to 20-18. Over the next five ends Mick recovered form, winning four ends and advancing to the next round with a final score of 25 – 20. 

In another close game on Sunday, Steve Turner had the better of the early ends and after eight ends had a lead of 10-2. Over the next seven ends Mick scored 14 shots to Steve’s one and had the lead 16-11. By the 24th end scores were level at 22 all, but Mick won the next two ends to win the match 25 – 22. 

Major Pairs 

On Saturday four games of pairs were played. Dave Reilly and Nathan Reynolds were drawn against Daryll McKeller and Rob Irving. After six ends Dave and Nathan were in front 9 – 5, but Daryll and Rob won the next five ends to open up a ten-shot lead 19 – 9. At the start of the 16th end Daryll and Rob had what looked like a comfortable lead, 21 – 13, but lost the next five ends and, starting the last end scores were level 21 all. On the last end Dave and Nathan were holding the winning shot but with his last bowl Daryll moved the jack and he and Rob advanced to the next round with a 23 – 21 win. 

Results of other matches were: Mark Dwyer and Mick Simpson 20 – Guy Ellery and Gary McPhee 13; Brian Townsend and John Wright 21 – Rob Tinker and Jim Blake 12; Mick Went and Brett “Baldy” Frame 21 – Wilbur Harris and Steve Turner 11 

By George Bradley 

Tuesday is bowls day, and with the weatherperson predicting a bright sun-shiny day, decisions were made BY 22 ladies, FOR 22 ladies, to swing into gear and come and play! The labour of Ground Control is always Number 1 in our eyes! They win the Green vote! 

Taking priority on today’s ticket was a semi-final of the Club Championship Triples, with Kay Craft/Merilyn Rodgers/Jan McPhee up against Chris Curteis/Lorraine Baker/Elaine Miller. Team McPhee quickly accumulated points, but Team Miller moved in, gaining the middle-aged voters’ favour and drew ahead briefly. Team McPhee united once more and climbed onto the stage to claim victory after their 25 ends. Returning Officer Liz, resplendent in her uniform, put in an energetic morning’s work; cheers, Ma’am! 

The other semi-final was pre-played earlier. After a recount on the green, the team of Rose Mitchell/Rhona Went/Liz Byrne were declared winners over Marja Iffland/Betsy Johnstone/Cherie Frame. 

In social bowls, ‘twas a close contest between Di Howell/Frances Charlton/Fran Dixon/Marja Iffland and their opponents Gwenda Carty/Carol Reed/Maureen Miller. The tally was very close throughout the match, and Team Miller had to wait till the very last end to claim a narrow victory. 

In a 4’s game interest was high, as a Teal bowls campaigner was playing! Hilda McPherson/Lynn Ryan/Rose Mitchell/Betsy Johnstone fought on, gaining an advantage where they could (a 6 helped!), but the Teals team of Kim Evans/Valmai Westcott/Heather Harvey/Lea Orr rallied strongly to win the majority of points. 

Maureen, thankfully, was manning the democracy drink stall, appreciated by us all after a warm morning. 

The Final of the Club Championship Triples will be played next Tuesday, 31st May: K Craft/M Rodgers/J McPhee vs R Mitchell/R Went/L Byrne. Next month on 14th June there will be a Pink Gala Bowls Day, with all proceeds to go to vital breastcare nurses. 

By Lea Orr 

The semi-final of the club pairs and two social triple matches were played on Tuesday. 

Cherie Frame and Betsy Johnstone out played Maureen Miller and Chris Curteis in the club pairs game. 

There was a blizzard of bowls put down by team Byrne and team Grant. It took four before Liz Byrne and Rhona Went had a final storm surge to overcome Maree Grant and Jan McPhee. 

The wind was certainly behind Elaine, Heather and Sue, with a good win over Marja, Kay and Frances. Hilda battled water over the roads on her way to play bowls and playing with Lorraine and Merilyn continued to steam ahead of Rose, Carol and Fran. 

Elvis has departed the club and the exodus of fans brings our population back to par. Four matches of Major Pairs filled Tuesday’s program. Betsy Johnstone hitched up with Cherie Frame and powered away to a strong lead over Carol Reed and Maria Willcockson. Not to be outdone, seasoned campers, Team Will, tightened the guy ropes and drew level. However, their reprieve was temporary and Team Frame went on to win on Site 2.

A corker of a match kept the onlookers on the edge of their camp chairs on Site 3. The two teams, Lorraine Baker/Elaine Miller and Maureen Miller/Joan Simpson had to dig in and push for every point. Team Simpson began strongly, took a siesta mid-game, but came home with the wind behind them to claim victory by just one point!

Lea Orr/Lynn Ryan de-camped early due to illness in their match against the in-form pairing of Liz Byrne/Rhona Went on Site 4. Liz and Rhona have recently returned from State Pairs Play-offs and are at the top of their game!

On Site 5, Jan McPhee/Maree Grant found themselves wanting more power from the fuse box in order to pull ahead of Merilyn Rodgers/Marja Iffland, who played their little bowls socks off!

Many thanks to our umpire, Tony Riordan, who was kept running like a caretaker from site to site!

The draw for next week’s Major Pairs semi-finals: R Went/L Byrne vs J McPhee/M Grant, and M Miller/J Simpson vs B Johnstone/C Frame. Maureen, Joan, Gwenda, Carol and Lea won their green fees back, ready for the next trip!

Next Sunday, 1st May is our big Prostate Cancer Charity Bowls Day from 11am, 2-bowl triples, mixed teams, $15 pp includes lunch. All welcome, single players catered for. Entry forms at the bar.

By Lea Orr

President Col Miller (left) presented the winners (L-R) Mark Dwyer, Mick Went, Pete McPhee and Eddie McPhee with their prizes as the Major Fours Champions for 2022.

The final of the Parkes Bowling & Sports Club’s 2022 Major Fours was played on Sunday with Mick Went, Mark Dwyer, Eddie McPhee and Pete McPhee playing Brian Townsend, Jo Simpson, Mick Simpson and Ton Furey.

The early ends were evenly divided but Team Went eventually took control of the match and after 16 ends had a commanding lead, 21 – 8. Over the next four ends Team Townsend won three ends scoring four, three and six to Team Townsend’s two and with one end to play the lead had been cut to two shots and the score was 23 – 21. However, Team Townsend could not sustain their run and after a tense last end Team Went scored three shots to win the match 26 – 21.

Congratulations to all the players but in particular to Mick, Mark, Eddie and Pete, the Major Fours Champions for 2022.

In a Major Triples match Rob Tinker, Col Miller and Graham Dixon won the first end but from then on it was the only time they held the lead. The team of Col Hayward, Col Mudie and Rob Irving advanced to the next round with a 23 – 10 win.

Due to the rather wet weather no social bowls were played on Thursday or Saturday last week.

A pairs event will be played on Easter Monday, 18th April at 1 pm. A charity event in support of prostate cancer will be played on Sunday, 1st May. The mixed bows day is open to all bowlers, entry is $15 per player. Play will start at 11 am, and there will be a raffle and prizes. You can nominate a team (single entries will be accepted too) at the club or to colrm53@yahoo.com.au

By George Bradley

Parkes Bowling and Sports club won the Majors Gold Frank Gersbach Cup. Pictured (L-R) are Martin Tighe, Frank Gersbach, Paul Lewin and Brett Frame. Railway Diggers won the minors Silver Cup with Frank Gersbach presenting Ben McNaughton with the cup.

A total of 56 local bowlers took part in the first round of the Geoff and Bob Freeman Shield Challenge last Saturday in what is hopefully to become an annual event between the two Parkes clubs.

The clubs were competing for the Frank Gersbach Cups, the Gold Cup for Major Teams and the Silver Cup for Minor Teams. The overall winners, after the return round to be played later in the year, will take home the shield.

It was a great day for bowls and the standard was very high resulting in some close scoring.

The results were (Railway Teams mentioned first) – Gold Cup game: Team Dave “Major” Johnson 12 – Team Mick Went 29; Team Paul Kirwan 11 – Team Brett “Baldy” Frame 28; Team L. Ramsay 15 – Team Dave Reilly 17. Parkes Bowling and Sports Club won the Gold Cup with an aggregate score of 74 – 38.

The Silver Cup results: Team Greg Howlett 24 – Team Martin Tighe 22; Team Pat Cooney 18 – Team Col Hayward 26; Team Ben McNaughton 25 – Team Brian Hampton 9; Team Wally Grant 17 – Team Col Mudie 21. Parkes Railway/Diggers Club took home the trophy with an aggregate score of 84 – 78.

The Parkes Bowling Club won the day with an aggregate score of 152 – 122.

Frank Gersbach was at the Parkes Bowling & Sports Club to present the trophies. Congratulations to all the players and the people behind the scenes who made it a great day for bowling.

The scene is set for the return match at the Railway Club later in the year, probably in September, when the winner of the Shield will be decided by the aggregate scores over both days.

By George Bradley

BEAUTIFUL BOWLS… It was the final night for Twilight bowls last week as we are changing the time this weekend and darkness will be upon us much earlier in the day.

Not much of an Easter bonnet parade, but on Tuesday 27 keen ladies donned their blue hats to play the game they love. Rink 3: Sue Maddison/Laurie Keane/Jan McPhee piled up a feast of “eggs” allowing Chris Cox/Helen Heraghty/Joan Simpson a mere glimpse of the spoils! Rink 2: Beth Thomas/Marja Iffland/Rose Mitchell were left feeling hollow as Lynn Ryan/Carol Reed/Maureen Baillie finished off the game in bounds! Rink 4: Kim Evans/Kay Craft/Lea Orr were left feeling hot, but not cross, after going down to Eileen Bradley/Isabel Svensden/Lorraine Baker/Rhona Went. Rink 5: Brenda’s gold foil-lined bowls performed their magic with a win over Elaine Miller/Gwenda Carty/Sue Hogan. Rink 6: a game of Scroungers rewarded Frances Charlton who was too good for Maureen Miller/ Chris Flood/Betsy Johnstone.

By Lea Orr

Bowls News

The Parkes Bowling & Sports club Pennants team made it to state finals and travelled to Forster-Tuncurry last week. Liz Byrne presented Team Manager Kay Craft with a thank you gift.

Forbes Dragon Boat Club Raffle Winners

The major prize winners are: 1st 200L of fuel Alex Riley; 2nd Canvas Artwork Wendy Nelson; 3rd Picnic Hamper Nicole Williams; 4th Oztrail change room Ally Hetherington; 5th Chill Float Session Wendy Nelson; 6th Toaster & Kettle Luke Byrne; 7th $50 Ampol fuel card Jane Burley; 8th 2x $25 Ampol fuel cards Rachel

100 Parkruns

Erin Nichols celebrated her 100th run with a personal best time at the Northparkes Oval Parkrun on Saturday. Erin has completed eight of her parkruns at Northparkes Oval parkrun, with the remaining 92 at Cloncurry parkrun (87), Riverway parkrun (2), Mt Penang parkrun (1), Casula Parklands parkrun (1) and South Bank parkrun (1). What a huge achievement. Well done Erin!