CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES

Two Minor Pairs matches were played under very threatening dark clouds in cool conditions at the Parkes Bowling & Sports Club on Saturday. The first match featured Joanne and Mick Simpson up against the ‘Gorgeous Georges’ – Bradley and Boatswain. The two Georges started strongly against the Simpson couple and were leading 6 shots to 1 after just 3 ends. Joanne and Mick regained their composure and played steady bowls, matching their older and more experienced opponents shot for shot to regain the lead, and beat the eventual rain downpour to win by 15 shots to 10. 

Defending Minor Pairs champions Gary McPhee and Marty Tighe struggled all match against the red-hot Brian Townsend and John Wright. Brian and John dominated the majority of the match, playing terrific weighted bowls. As the sky darkened Gary started to find his range and the scores began to tighten up, just as the rain, and then hail stopped the match. Team Townsend are leading 16 shots to 14 after 16 ends. The match will resume this weekend.

ZONE PENNANTS

The wet and dismal weather caused the cancellation of the Division 2 match on Sunday between Parkes Pirates and Dubbo Macquarie in Dubbo.

The Division 3 match between Parkes and Grenfell was played at Parkes on Sunday in truly atrocious conditions with rain and wind throughout the match making it miserable for all 24 bowlers. The 3 Parkes teams beat the 3 highly fancied Cowra teams the previous Sunday in the rain, and were liking their chances as wet weather specialists at home, against the 3 highly credentialed Grenfell teams. The 3 Grenfell Skips played exceptionally well and led their teams impressively against the home teams. Grenfell secured an impressive victory on the big board by 63 shots to 51, winning 2 rinks and drawing a rink on the last end.

By Marty Tighe

Peter McPhee bowled brilliantly to record a 25 shot to 15 win on Saturday over Nathan Reynolds to advance to the final of the 2022 Major Singles. Peter bowled the best ends of his stellar career to win in just 24 ends. Nathan held a 4-shot lead after 8 ends, but was only a spectator as Peter went up a gear and never left the jack alone. Peter will be very difficult to beat for this year’s blue ribbon event. He will play either Mick Went or Mick Simpson in the final. 

Cold breezy weather greeted18 brave social bowlers with John Carr, Bob Freeman and Brian Townsend playing John Niddri, Bernie Mitchell and Chris Harrison. Team Harrison defeated Brian’s boys 21 shots to 11. 

The second triples game was a bit closer with Gary McPhee’s team defeating Col Mudie’s, 25 shots to 18. 

Ray Jones and Marty Tighe won the first pairs game 20 shots to 10 against John Wright and John Corcoran, while Col Hayward and Wally Grant combined beautifully against Ian Simpson and John Ward winning 19 shots to 11. 

Education week in the schools and, for some, an education of sorts in the District Pennants! In the Grade 4s, Canowindra demonstrated how it’s done with both Parkes teams going down. 

In the Grade 3s, the Clark shoe was on the other foot, with the Parkes teams racing away to an impressive win over Cowra. 

Thanks to Umpire Tony, ground control for your green preparation and to the score-board volunteers. Lucky Merilyn won the hamper raffle, and the 2nd prize Shiraz went Cowra’s way! 

Pennants will continue every Tuesday and Thursday during August. 

The keenly anticipated Major Singles match between Rob Irving and Mick Went lived up to expectations with both bowlers playing outstandingly at the Parkes Bowling & Sports Club. Playing against the current club champion didn’t faze Rob as he went end to end with Mick. Mick settled after the 4th end and started to win consecutive ends to take the win 25 to 15. 

One of the best Minor Pairs matches in recent memory was played with Wilbur Harris as skip for Dean Searl against Chris Harrison and Ricky Frame. The match was decided on an extra end after scores were tied up at 20 all after 21 ends. 

Wilbur and Dean started surprisingly slow, trailing 4 to 10, but regained the lead and were on track to win leading 20 to 13 after 17 ends. However, team Frame won the next 4 ends to tie the score at 20 all. The playoff end was breathtakingly brilliant as ‘Son of Frame’ held the shot in a crowded head, and survived the Harris last bowls, to claim victory by 1 shot.

By Marty Tighe 

CLUB FOURS CHAMPS 

The match of the day on Tuesday saw Rose Mitchell, Heather Harvey, Maureen Miller and Cherie Frame emerge as the new Club Fours Champions for 2022. At the 21st end, scores were level, it was anyone’s game… Brenda Davies, Robyn Morgan, Rhona Went and Liz Byrne assessed the situation, but a win this time eluded them. Team Frame scored a double with a final score of 22-20. Thanks to Umpire Gwenda, and congratulations to the winners! 

By Lea Orr 

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES 

A much-anticipated Major Singles match between Mark Dwyer and Peter McPhee was going to script for Mark as he led Peter by 11 shots to 6 after 12 ends. Unfortunately, Mark was only able to score another three shots as Peter bowled exceptionally well to win eight consecutive ends to run away with a 25 to 14 win. 

The Major Pairs match with Brian Townsend and John Wright playing Rob Irving and Darryl McKellar saw the older more experienced pairing of Irving and McKellar skipping to an early 7 to 3 lead. They surrendered this early advantage as team Townsend picked up 13 shots over just 5 ends to take the lead and storm to a convincing 24 to 12 win. 

By Marty Tigh 

Cool overcast conditions greeted 22 bowlers last Thursday.

Jo Simpson and her unrelated name-sake Ian Simpson contested an eagerly anticipated minor singles match. Jo bowled superbly all match, particularly after a great start that saw her leading Ian by 12 to 5 after 10 ends, and finished strongly to win 25 to 9. 

In the second minor singles match Chris Harrison played wily veteran Mal Porter in what was a terrific match of draw bowls. Both players maintained a high level of concentration as the lead changed hands many times. After 10 ends Chris was holding out Mal by 12 to 7, Mal was in front seven ends later to lead 16- 14, and was holding 2 shots at 24 to 22 having the last bowl of the end. Chris bowled a screamer of a draw bowl to the jack that enabled him to win that end, he maintained his composure and won the match 25 to 24!

Three games of social Pairs saw Col Mudie and the cagey John Carr win an even match 21 to 19 against Al ‘Kangaroo’ Alfeck and Marty Tighe. Gary McPhee and Johno Johnson beat Ray Jones and John ‘Wicks’ Ward 26 to 12.

A classic pairs match with Jim Blake and Tony Riordan against John Wright and Rob Irving ended in a 15 all draw. 

The triples game with Mick Simpson, Bob Freeman and Darryl McKellar against Ron Hornery, George Bradley and Rob Tinker was a tight game with everyone playing good bowls. The game ended in a win of 17 to 15 to team McKellar.

Saturday’s bowls were washed out. 

By Marty Tighe

We just about needed an ark to leave home on Tuesday, and bowls was cancelled again to save on building timber! 

The District Fours Championship was still held however. Our four (that’s two by two) keen ladies splashed their way across to Cowra to participate. They not only participated, they bowled their way to a fabulous victory against Cowra, and then won a heart-stopper against Forbes! 

Congratulations to our team, the new District Fours Champions: Jan McPhee, Merilyn Rodgers, Liz Byrne and Cherie Frame! You have done our club proud! 

Our own Club Championship Fours will begin with the first round on Tuesday, 12th July. Check the board for details of all four teams. 

There will be a committee meeting for the new executive after bowls. 

To play social bowls on Tuesday, call the club between 9 and 9:30 am on 6862 1446, play starts at 10am. Visitors and interested ladies are always welcome. 

By Lea Orr 

It is great to see the weather improve and bowlers returning to the greens. 

Last Thursday a minor singles game was played with Gary McPhee taking on John Wright. Both bowlers settled into their game by the 7th end and Gary had edged to the front 7 to 3. Not to be outdone John fought back and by the 19th end he was only 2 shots behind. Gary knuckled down and got to the magic 25 shots first to win the game. Thanks to marker Bernie Mitchell. 

On Saturday a minor pairs game was played. Mal Porter and Tony Riordan took on Dean Searl and Wilbur Harris. It was a very one-sided game with Dean and Wilbur running out big winners. Mal and Tony tried everything, but it just was not their day. Welcome back Dean to the bowling green. 

We have had three bowlers Tom Furey, Brett Frame and Maree Grant playing in the Australian Open on the Gold Coast over the past week. 

Bowlers are reminded to get their Club Championship games completed asap. The Zone Pennants draw is up on the board with the first games commencing on 7th and 8th August. 

By Col Miller 

On Tuesday 16 players suited up for some target practice at social bowls. 

Laurie Keane and Kay Craft made a gallant effort on Arena 2, but the victors getting the “thumbs up” were Frances Charlton and Maria Willcockson. 

Rose Mitchell and Brenda Davies took extra time to warm up on Arena 3. Hilda McPherson and Maureen Baillie galloped ahead, only to falter at the drawbridge and allow the first pair to catch them. T’was neck and neck to the finish, Hilda and Maureen by 2! 

Ladies-in waiting, Maureen Miller and Lea Orr, enjoyed a slow-paced duel of Scroungers on Arena 5. 

Vi West, Merilyn Rodgers and Elaine Miller waved the white flag early in their battle on Arena 4. They really just attended out of courtesy, leaving Flo Riseborough, Carol Reed and Marja Iffland with the greater score. 

Some courteous ladies waited till they were inside the castle to begin their winning streak! The Trading Table was laden with jewels for the picking – and many lucky winners did just that! 

Maureen was keeping the goblets of wine and mead brimming, always our heroine! 

Extra thanks must go out to the Manildra B C ladies who passed the helmet round and amassed $100 towards our recent Pink Day. 

A bit late in wishing our June Geminis a Happy Birthday! Kay, Merilyn, Audrey, Lynn and Betsy, all the best! 

Next Tuesday is our AGM. The club will provide a pizza lunch, so please come along and feast and contribute! 

The nominations for Club Championship Fours will close next week. 

To play social bowls next Tuesday, 28th June 28 call the club between 9am and 9:30am on 6862 1446, with play to begin at 10am. 

Visitors and interested new-comers always welcome! 

Social Roster: Beth Thomas 

By Lea Orr