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 

The serious part of Tuesday was the final of the Club Championship Triples at the Parkes Bowling and Sports Club. This year’s champions are Rose Mitchell, Rhona Went and Liz Byrne, as they outplayed Kay Craft, Merilyn Rodgers and Jan McPhee in an openly friendly match!

For the rest of the day 26 ladies were flushed with excitement to see the sun shining brightly for our Pink Day.

The Think Pinks (Maria Willcockson/Chris Cox/Annette Tisdell) took on the Blushing Beauties (Marja Iffland/Lesley Dunstan/Frances Charlton).

The Dusky Roses (Heather Harvey/Ann McKay/Beth Thomas) displayed strong attack against the Rosy Cheeks (Sue Madison/Valmai Westcott/Jan Waugh).

The Pink Tints (Elaine Miller/Carol Reed/Loris Stewart) defended their turf well against the Flushed Musks (Vi West/Jill Taylor/Lynn Ryan).

An amazing amount of $704 was raised and will go to breast care nurses.

By Lea Orr 

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