A friendly and competitive spirit prevailed between the two Parkes bowling clubs at the Frank Gersbach Cup and the Freeman Shield on Sunday.

The Parkes Bowling & Sports Club played the return matches against the Parkes Railway Bowling Club in both Major and Minor grades over seven rinks at the Railway Club.

Although the scores were very close, Parkes Bowling & Sports Club prevailed in both grades and became the holders of the inaugural Bob & Geoff Freeman shield. The club thanks the Railway Club for a great day of bowls, friendship, social catchup over a few beverages and a great meal, and looks forward to hosting the event again in April next year.

A total of 24 social bowlers enjoyed six games of social pairs last Thursday. 

George Bradley and Col Mudie were too strong for Al Affleck and Marty Tighe, winning 26 shots to 17.

Maureen Baillie and George Boatswain played a great game against Col Woods and Colin Hayward. Maureen and George won by just 1 shot.

Ron Hornery and John Ward started slowly against Mike Valentine and Graham Dixon, as they were behind by 4 shots after seven ends. Ron and John picked up 5 shots on the 8th end, and they went on to win 19 shots to 10.

Picking up 9 shots over ends 6 and 7 ensured Ray Jones and Ian Simpson were never in trouble against Jim Blake and Col Miller, with team Simpson powering away to win 22 shots to 14.

The game of the day featured John Carr and Geoff Freeman playing John Niddrie and John Wright. Geoff and his wily lead partner had the game in hand, leading 15 shots to 6 after 10 ends. Niddrie and Wright found their range and consistency, winning 5 consecutive ends to lead by 3 after 15 ends, but were down by 2 shots after 18 ends. They won the last 2 ends, to win 22 shots to 20.

Dazzler McKellar and Gary McPhee tuned up for their Zone pairs match when they dished out a hiding to Graeme Barby and Rob Irving. 

By Marty Tighe

The 2022 Major Pairs Final in Parkes was played in perfect conditions on Saturday and was worthy of a live television broadcast.

John Wright and Brian Townsend were the first team into the final, while Mick Simpson and Mark Dwyer were the odds-on favourites. The scores were even with just one shot the difference until the 14th end, where John and Brian picked up 4 shots, to lead by 16 shots to 12. 

Mick and Mark won the next 4 ends, levelling the scores, and managed to claw ahead to lead by 1 on the 20th end. Skipper Brian had the last bowl of the match, needing 2 shots to win the title. Mick and Mark were holding 2 shots and had the jack covered, and it seemed they had the Championship in the bag. 

Brian and John had the best 2 back bowls. Brian bowled a pearler, prising out the jack, resting it closest to his back bowls –winning the match by 1 shot with the last bowl, final score 19 shots to 18. Congratulations to all 4 bowlers on an extraordinary and skilful Pairs Final, enjoyed by a large crowd.

The Frank Gersbach Cup match at the Parkes Railway Bowling Club on Sunday will culminate a very busy year of lawn bowls for both clubs in Parkes.

It is the Parkes Railway Bowling Club’s turn to host the return bowls match against Parkes Bowling & Sports Club in the Frank Gersbach Cup bowls competition between the two Clubs. 

The match will also determine the inaugural holder of the Bob & Geoff Freeman Shield. 

Frank Gersbach and Bob and Geoff Freeman have been honoured by both clubs in recognition of their esteemed dedication to supporting bowls in Parkes over many years. 

The Parkes Railway Bowling Club particularly acknowledges the timely vital support Frank Gersbach provided to the club for many years. The popularity and success that the club enjoys today is largely the result of his sustained support. 

Geoff Freeman has dedicated many years to umpiring at all levels, as well as training and assessing bowls umpires. He and his brother Bob, who plays weekly at both clubs, have supported, managed and played bowls at all levels in Parkes and the wider district. Frank, Geoff and Bob’s support for bowls in Parkes has been immeasurable over a long time.

The match will be a pennants match with 3 teams of major bowlers for the gold cup and 4 teams of minor bowlers for the silver cup. 

The first match in April saw 56 bowlers compete in the inaugural competition, resulting in a solid win to Parkes Bowling & Sports Club in the Majors, who have proudly displayed the gold Frank Gersbach Cup. The Railway Club narrowly won the Minors match, and have held the silver Gersbach Cup.

Both clubs, together with their large supporter groups, eagerly await the return match on Sunday, 27th November at the Railway Bowling Club, commencing at 1pm. 

By Marty Tighe

The Grade 3 Pennants teams of the Parkes Bowling & Sports Club won silver at the State Championship in Bomaderry on Sunday. 

The runners-up in NSW played Yamba in a closely fought final in very windy conditions with the final score 42 – 36. Congratulations on a fantastic effort which has put our little country club on the bowling map! We are all in awe of your staying power, with three solid days of high-intensity matches under very trying conditions. We welcomed the triumphant champs, sporting their silver medals and banner home on Tuesday, amid cheers and applause and a special cake! 

By Lea Orr

CHAMPIONSHIP BOWLS

The Minor Triples match played at the Parkes Bowling & Sports Club on Thursday with Ian Simpson, John Wright and Brian Hampton playing Mal Porter, Chris Harrison and Tony Riordan was a one-sided match. Team Hampton skipped away to a dominant lead of 15 shots to 1 after 8 ends, eventually winning by 30 shots to 11.

THURSDAY SOCIAL BOWLS 

The game of the day was the tussle between Col Hayward and Gary McPhee against Geoff Freeman and Brett Frame. Col and Gary eventually won the game by 1 shot – 20 to 19 – despite being scoreless after 4 ends, and then were down by 3 shots, with 3 ends to play against quality opposition. The old master Col Hayward rose to the occasion, playing great lead bowls to set up the win, as he and Gary picked up 6 shots to 2 over the last 3 ends, winning by 1 shot.

SATURDAY SOCIAL BOWLS

18 Bowlers dodged the storms and took their chances during the rain breaks to play 2 games of triples and 3 games of pairs.

Steve Turner pushed his big rig out to the rink, hitching John Niddrie onto his A trailer and proceeded to dominate Ron Hornery and Tony Riordan in a way sided game, winning easily.

George Bradley continued his good form of late, leading for Col Hayward against Col Woods and John Ward. George and Col won 8 of 9 ends in the middle stages of the game, consolidating their early lead, the ‘wicks’ deserted Wardy for a change, enabling Team Hayward to win 21 shots to 15.

By Marty Tighe

The final of the Parkes Bowling & Sports Club Minor Pairs was played last week with Kay Craft and Lynn Ryan against Chris Curteis and Lorraine Baker. 

The four players put on a spirited display of match play, and Lynn and Kay emerged as the 2022 champions! Congratulations, ladies!

Melbourne Cup morning dawned clear with a fantastic turnout of 33 keen bowlers in bright spring-time outfits (covered by warm jackets) who hoofed it out onto the turf to try their luck. 

Twelve ends of blue-ribbon play saw Sue, Rosemary and Joe accept the laurel and cash for the first gallop.

Dazzling bowls in the Diamond League of Game 2 by Rhona, Fran and Darryl, out-classing the field to take the win and cheque.

Catering in the Birdcage was in full swing –many thanks to Sandy and Lea and allthe helpers who took a turn.

As Cup time drew closer, Gary conducted an entertaining auction of saddle cloth numbers, much to the amusement of punters and onlookers! Well done Merilyn, scoring the best result for a small outlay. Thanks to Rhona for the fabulous raffle prize. Lucky Bob Freeman tucked that in his saddle bags!

The best of luck to our triples team, Jan, Marja and Liz, contesting the playoffs of the District Triples in Forbes tomorrow.

The final of the club Minor Pairs will be played next Tuesday: K Craft/L Ryan vs C Curteis/L Baker 

By Lea Orr

Tuesday morning dawned bright and sunny and attracted 17 ladies to the Parkes Bowling & Sports Club for a social roll up.

We welcomed a couple of new belles to our very social group. Thanks to Joe D, Judy Chambers and Judy Nobes now know the basics of lawn bowls! Lynn Ryan and Lea Orr followed up the training, combining with the newbies in a friendly game of pairs. Hope you enjoyed yourselves, girls, despite the caffeine withdrawal at 11am!

The Grade 3 Pennants ladies teamed up for some extra practice in preparation for the State playoffs next month. Brenda Davies/Di Howell/Maureen Miller/Liz Byrne came away with the win against Marja Iffland/Heather Harvey/Rhona Went after playing some impressive close ends.

A well-matched game of triples resulted in Gwenda Carty/Maureen Baillie/Rosemary Mitchell just going down to Frances Charlton/Kay Craft/Joan Simpson on rink 2.

Maureen M, Marja and Judy C each pocketed cash in the 100’s club (that should entice Judy back to cover her next green fees)!

Next Tuesday, 1st November is our Melbourne Cup Spring Carnival for a 10am start. Mixed 2-bowl triples, 2 games of 13 ends. Teams will be drawn after this Saturday, so please put your names down at the bar! $20 covers lunch, green fees and bubbles. Non-players lunch $10. Wear Spring mufti and join in all the excitement of cup day. Sweeps are already available at the club.

Looking ahead, the final of the Minor Pairs Championship will be contested on 8th November, between K Craft/L Ryan vs C Curteis/L Baker. Good luck to each of you. Social Roster: Rose Mitchell

By Lea Orr

The final of the 2022 Minor Singles was played on a heavy green at the Parkes Bowling & Sports Club on Sunday.

Mick Simpson, who has taken the bowls scene by storm this year, played last year’s runner-up Gary McPhee. Gary has been in scintillating form of late and was the favourite for the title, which was played in front of 20 spectators under humid conditions.

The first 7 ends belonged to the underdog, as Mick didn’t hold back, leading by 10 shots to 5, helped by a classy 4 on the second end. Gary held his nerve, picking up a 4 on the ninth end to bring the match to level scores, as both bowlers delivered, and then defended draw shots and their shots near the jack.

Gary eventually regained the lead and was leading by 18 to 15, after which he was never headed, demonstrating his experience in the big moments, and won the title by 25 shots to 16.

Both Bowlers played great bowlers and it was unfortunate that there had to be a loser in the final. Congratulations Mick Simpson on a great singles campaign in majors and minors grade this year.

Last Thursday’s social bowls were washed out again, and on Saturday only 10 social bowlers took the punt on bowling a few ends and they managed to reach the jack occasionally, before the next rain event swept across the greens. 

By Marthy Tighe

ZONE SENIOR PAIRS

Darryl McKellar and Gary McPhee have won their way through to the Zone Senior Pairs finals after winning both of their matches on the weekend, defeating the highly fancied Orange City team on Sunday. Tony Riordan and Mal Porter had a draw and a win on Saturday to play in the sectional play-offs on Sunday, however despite playing well, they were just beaten. Congratulations to all four bowlers on a great weekend of playing high quality bowls.

SOCIAL BOWLS

Last Thursday, 20 bowlers took advantage of the rare non-rain day to play two games of social triples and two pairs games. 

The in-form Rob Irving and Brett Frame played Ray Jones and Warwick Parker in a tight game of pairs, which eventually saw the ‘Organiser’ and the Greenkeeper prevail, winning 19 shots to 17.

The new life member, John Carr, led brilliantly for the latest member and skip, Chris Harrison surging to a lead of 21 shots to 12 after 17 ends, and won 22 shots to 20.

The first of the triples games resulted in a win by 27 shots to 17 for Mike Valentine, Alan Affleck and Gary McPhee over Ron Hornery, John Niddrie and John Wright.

Graham Barby was back on the bowling rink, leading for Bob Freeman and John Ward against Tony Riordan, Jim Blake and Colin Hayward. Team ‘Bomber’ Ward led by 19 shots to 4. A pep talk from skip Hayward had the desired result as Col fired up Tony and big Jim, winning the remaining 7 ends, picking up 12 shots, to just lose by 2 shots.

The two bowling greens were full on Saturday as 16 social bowlers played on the top rink.

By Marty Tighe