Sports Archives - Page 64 of 118

Men’s Bowls

March 4, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

It has been a very busy week for bowlers. Tom Furey, Maree Grant, Mark Dwyer and Eddie McPhee travelled to Orange for the Golden Eagle. Mark and Eddie just missed out on going through to the finals section in the main draw. Tom and Maree won 3 out of 3 in the constellation section.

Over the weekend Guy Ellery and Gary McPhee travelled to Dubbo to play in the Champion of Champions Pairs. They won their games on Saturday and Sunday Morning. On Sunday afternoon they played the sectional final against Mudgee but were defeated. A great effort by the boys with some great bowls played.

On a balmy Friday evening the first game in the Major Fours was played between team Townsend (Tom Furey, Joanne Simpson, Mick Simpson, Brian Townsend) and team Harris (Rob Irving, Steve Turner, Guy Ellery, Wilbur Harris). Team Townsend won the game 20 to 14.

By Colin Miller

Women’s Bowls

February 25, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Twenty or so gals dressed in various shades of yellow graced the greens on Tuesday.

The colour yellow symbolises optimism, and is full of hope and positivity – that’s us, for sure!

The green was perfect thanks to Ground Control volunteers – you guys truly know your job.

In Club Singles matches, Maree Grant chalked up a win against an unlucky Maureen Miller; Cherie Frame wore a smiley face after Maria Willcockson conceded their game. Thanks to markers Lea and Marja, and umpire Gwenda.

The semi-finals of the Major Club Singles will be played next Tuesday: M Grant vs L Byrne; C Frame vs B Johnstone.

Betsy has enjoyed an unchallenged run to the finals; perhaps Cherie will put up an amber light to stall that. Should be two spectator-worthy matches.

In social games, Valmai Westcott/Frances Charlton/Kim Evans/Elaine Miller looked like the cats that had caught the canary after snatching a win on the last end against Eileen Bradley/Carol Reed/Joan Simpson.

Scoring a 4 on one end may be called a fluke, but scoring three 4’s, plus a 5, was just a “yolk”! Needless to say, Chris Cox and Betsy Johnstone looked like butter wouldn’t melt in their mouths as they put paid to Merilyn Rodgers/Jan McPhee on rink 11.

Looks like Helen Heraghty/Chris Curteis/ Rosemary Mitchell were too busy smelling the roses as they allowed Lorraine Baker and Maureen Baillie to open up a good lead on rink 9. No use asking: “Wattle we do now?” Just play on and face the loss bravely.

The winner’s draw saw Chris Cox and Betsy putting on their best cheesey grins!

Gwenda had the golden touch, winning the fabulous fruit and veg hamper. Thank you Chris Curteis for your generous donation!

Gwenda’s luck continued onto the trading table, joining the happy winners of yellow-themed gifts.

Lea’s birthday pavlovas, complete with passionfruit and banana, were appreciated by everyone.

The Major Club Pairs nominations are now open.

On Tuesday, 1st March there will be a committee meeting after bowls.

To play social bowls, call 6862 1446, between 9 and 9:30am, with play to begin at 10am.

New and visiting players always welcome. Social Roster: Brenda Davies.

By Lea Orr

Men’s Bowls

February 25, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Last weekend the club hosted a 2 Bowls Triples Tournament with ten different clubs competing. It was great to welcome bowlers from Orange, Forbes, Parkes Railway Club, Greenwell Point, Yass, Manildra, Leeton, Belrose and Warilla.

This meant 60 bowlers competed in three games of 15 ends on Saturday and two on Sunday.

At the mid-way point on Saturday evening the team of Nathan Reynolds, Dave Reilly (members of our club) and Glenn Beveridge from Warilla had the lead on 45 Points. The team from Belrose were in second place on 40 points and Team Grant and Team Frame (both from our club) were equal third on 39 points.

On Sunday morning the weather gods were not quite as kind as they had been and, in a strong wind, positions changed. Team Harris and Team Johnson (both representing our club) won both of their games to get amongst the prize money while Team Frame and Team Belrose could not hold their form and dropped off the leader board.

In the final wash up the prize winners were:
1st place – Nathan Reynolds, Dave Reilly and Glenn Beveridge on 73 points;
2nd Place – Dave Johnson, Jo Simpson and Mike Simpson on 60 points;
3rd place – Maree Grant, Tom Furey and Brian Townsend on 58 points;
4th Place – Wilbur Harris, Guy Ellery and Steve Turner on 57 points.

Congratulations to all the prize winners and in fact all the bowlers, it was great to see such a good turn-out and we look forward to welcoming all the visitors at our next event.

Such events cannot go on without a lot of generosity and hard work behind the scenes from a lot of people. I must mention our major sponsor, Johno Johnson and the Railway and Commercial Hotels. Thank you for your support. Also, thanks to Power Tools +, Parkes Hydraulics and Woolworths.

I should also thank the volunteers who put in so much time keeping the greens and club surrounds in such great shape and all the other volunteers who helped to make this weekend such a great success, in particular Tom Furey, Martin Tighe and Col Miller.

By George Bradley

The February Finale Event

February 18, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Crew from Endeavour Dragons introduce this fabulous sport to a group of new paddlers.

Parkes Dragon Boat club are offering free come-and-try dragon boat sessions to finish February. If you have ever thought about dragon boating head on out to the lovely Lake Endeavour and join the Endeavour dragons for some fun and frivolity. You will be introduced to the sport at an easy pace and be welcomed by a friendly crew. Fun and laughter are guaranteed.

The first session, an evening paddle, will be Wednesday 23rd February. Be at the lake by 6:00pm for a 45-minute paddle, followed by a friendly gathering under the Endeavour Dragons shelter.

The second session, a morning paddle, will be Sunday 27th. Be at the lake by 8:30am for a one-hour paddle, followed by morning tea with home-cooked goodies and great camaraderie.

Come to either or come to both, the Endeavour Dragons would love to see you. Call the coach for more information: Beth 0418 253 045.

Men’s Bowls

February 18, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

There were no championship games played during the past week. In social bowls on Thursday, 10th February the Triples match finished with the closest score line after a couple of dramatic changes. Rob Tinker, Gordon Dickson and John Dunn won the first end but Ian Simpson, Bob Freeman and Jim Blake had the best of the early ends and lead 13-8 after thirteen ends. On the next end Team Tinker scored six shots to take the lead for the second time, 14-13 and with one end to play still held the lead 19-16 and looked like the winners but on the last end Team Simpson scored the four shots they needed to claim victory.

In other matches, Rob Irving and Graham Barby 21 just got up against Col Mudie and Tom Furey 19. Col Hayward and Ron Hornery 21 beat John Wright and Alan Affleck 16. Steve Turner and John Carr scored too many and Jonno Johnson and Ray Jones didn’t score enough.

On Saturday, 12th February a good field of twenty eight bowlers turned out and it was good to see Wes Westcott back on the green after a fairly lengthy absence. Results of the matches were:

• Guy Ellery and George Bradley 24 – Dave Reilly and Jo Simpson 21
• John Ward and Noel Johnstone 18 – Mike Simpson and Ray Jones 14
• Ian Simpson and John Wright 23 – Brian Townsend and Arthur Corbett 18
• Rob Tinker and John Niddrie 24 – Martin Tighe and Wes Westcott 19
• Nathan Reynolds and Ron Hornery 25 – Col Hayward and Gordon Dickson 20
• Col Mudie and John Carr 23 – Tom Furey and Col Woods 17
• Tony Reardon and Mal Porter 24 – Rob Irving and Jim Blake 16

By George Bradley

Women’s Bowls

February 18, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

T’was a hot, dry morning of 32 degrees for the bowls girls; and a freezing minus 32 degrees in Beijing, another world away. But hot competition at both venues, with contestants vying for a podium finish!

Before the day had dawned, Lea Orr retired hurt, and Jan McPhee missed her plane home, so the race schedule needed a reshuffle. As the Aussie flag flew high, the Club Championship Singles matches commenced.

On Run 9, Merilyn Rodgers and Liz Byrne battled it out for a spot in the semi-finals. Liz, the reigning champion, was in top form and dominated once again.

Elaine Miller and Cherie Frame were more closely matched on Run 11. Cherie is through to the next round after opening up a strong lead which was impossible to peg back, despite Elaine’s efforts.

Despite an ACL injury, sustained while competing in the Ulladulla Ultra Triathlon, Maureen Miller soldiered on in true Olympic spirit to lead all the way in her heat against Carol Reed on Run 10.

After-match TV interviews included thanks to Ground Control, Umpire Gwenda, hydration manager, Maureen, and the match markers and volunteers without whom these games would not be possible!

Social ladies were out practicing their freestyle bowling skills in the warm, dry conditions.

Valmai Westcott, wearing bright aussie colours, and Maria Willcockson earned twice the points of their rivals, Kay Craft and Lynn Ryan. The prepared surface suited the style of Kate Keogh and Marja Iffland as they left Frances Charlton, Chris Curteis and Betsy Johnstone wondering how they could improve their skills.

By Lea Orr

Bridge Banter

February 11, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

After another short sojourn due to the COVID-19 situation, the players are back again. The club bid a sad farewell to foundation member, Bev Laing, who has moved to Lemon Tree Passage to be closer to family. Bev will be very sorely missed at the tables after all her years of input and commitment, since being part of the founding committee almost 20 years ago. She has not only been a great stalwart of the club, but also a great player whether in partnership or as opposition and has never been seen at a bridge table without a smile on her face. Every member of the Parkes Bridge Club wishes Bev and Lew every joy and blessing as they embark on this new chapter of their lives.

Bridge winners this week were: Thursday, 3rd February Vickie Burke and Dawn Phipps; Monday, 7th February Gary Somers and Greig Ball; Tuesday,8th February Kevin Robinson and Joan Reilly.

If you are interested in learning to play Bridge, we can arrange private lessons. Call Greig Ball 0429 6217 12 or Kevin Robinson 0429 621 712 to arrange personal lessons.

By Beth Thomas

Parkes Bowling And Sports Club

February 11, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

bowls

MEN’S BOWLS

The second semi-final of the 2021 Minor Triples Championship has been played at last! Rob Tinker, Col Miller and Graham Dixon got off to a great start with Gary McPhee, Tony Riordan and Brian Townsend 5- 20 After ten ends. However, Team McPhee started a great comeback and won eight of the next nine ends and had cut the deficit to two shots. Not to be outdone, Team Tinker rallied and won three of the final six ends to advance to the final with a 26-22 win.

Social Bowls: A small field of 14 played two games of pairs and one game of triples. Tony Riordan and Ray Jones vs John Ward and Col Mudie 18 – 15; Martin Tighe and Col Miller vs Gary McPhee and John Carr 22 – 13; Triples: Graham Dixon, Bob Freeman and Mal Porter forced a draw with Rob Irving, George Bradley and Jim Blake, 18 all.

29th January 29: A good field of 24 bowlers. John Ward and Jim Blake vs Rhona Went and Mal Porter 19 – 18; Steve Turner and Lorraine Baker vs Martin Tighe and Jhonno Johnson 27 – 12; Arthur Corbett, Gordon Dickson and John Carr defeated Ray Jones, Bob Freeman and Ron Hornery 21 – 15; Col Mudie, George Bradley and Ian Simpson vs Ellery, John Niddrie and Rob Irving 23 – 21.

By George Bradley

WOMEN’S BOWLS

Our Women’s Bowling Club and Queen Elizabeth have so much in common: 70 years of successful reign for a start, and a court full of jesters besides!

Kate Keogh/Marja Iffland found the going a bit tough versus Valmai Westcott/Merilyn Rodgers.

Kim Evans (& Di Howell substituting after Kim tripped over the queen’s corgi)/Beth Thomas/Maureen Baillie were invested as victors over Carol Reed/Lorraine Baker/ Joan Simpson by a margin as short as the corgi’s legs!

Kay Craft/Lea Orr/Heather Harvey reigned supreme over Flo Riseborough/ Lynn Ryan/Betsy Johnstone.

It took a 5 plus a couple of 3’s for Jan Griffiths/Liz Byrne to amass enough points to be crowned victors over Chris Curteis/ Maureen Miller.

A first-rate morning in divine conditions, played with right-royal camaraderie, and polite applause at appropriate times! Splendid job, ladies!

By Lea Orr

Parkrun Celebrates First Year

February 11, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

HAPPY FIRST ANNIVERSARY… Volunteers with their party hats at the first anniversary of the Northparkes Oval Parkrun on Saturday. They are (L-R) Dan Greef, Louise Moore, Jenny Short, Vicki Warwick, Sonia Bland, Craig Bland, John Short and Brenton Hartin.

Despite having to miss out on 17 events due to COVID lockdowns, more than 1,500 people took part in the first year of Parkrun in Parkes.

It was a beautiful, sunny day for the first anniversary of the Northparkes Oval Parkrun on Saturday, unlike the launch a year ago in torrential rain.

Saturday’s event was number 33, meaning the weekly 5km event had been completed 1,578 in a year’s time covering a total distance of 7,890km. Dan Greef, one of the volunteers who was instrumental in getting the event to Parkes, said this equalled to an average of 50 participants per event.

The free, weekly, community event with no time limit for all ages and levels of fitness for running, jogging and walking is also timed. All participants who have registered with parkrun receive an email after the event with their time. A total of 398 new personal best times were recorded in the first year.

“Most weeks we have visitors from all over the state and even inter-state. Some of them come here just for parkrun, and they end up spending money in town too,” said Dan. Jenny Short, who volunteered on Saturday, said the Parkes Visitors Information Centre regularly received calls from people asking if our town had a parkrun event.

The event is organised by volunteers every Saturday with a total of 62 individuals volunteering 324 times in the first year. “It would be great to see more people come out to help, so the regular volunteers can also participate,” said Dan.

He encouraged sport clubs, businesses and other groups to volunteer and use it as a team building exercise. “All the jobs are really easy and we will show you what to do.”

Parkrun is not only a great way to keep fit, but is also known for its great community spirit and social interaction. For those needing extra encouragement, there is always the coffee van waiting at the end of the course!

Harness Racing Runs In Their Blood

February 11, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

The Parkes trotting industry’s most well-known family, the Dumesnys with Stan and Nancy in front with their five children John, Tony, Janene, Craig and Bruce.

It is hard not to mention the Dumesny family when talking about harness racing in Parkes and the Central West.

“I guess you could say harness racing runs in our blood,” said Craig Dumesny talking to The Parkes Phoenix after his family received the Long Service and Dedication Award on Australia Day last month for their decades-long contribution to the sport. “It was nice to get it as a joint award as we’ve all put a lot into harness racing.”

The dynasty began with William Dumesny, Craig’s grandfather, when he established the Ruby Vale breeding stud at Alectown in 1943, after he was a driving force in establishing trotting in 1912 in Parkes. Craig’s father and mother, Stan and Nancy, took over the reins before handing them on to one of their five children, Tony.

Stan, Nancy and Tony were recognised last year by Harness Racing NSW for their outstanding contribution to breeding. At the ceremony they were acknowledged for breeding winners well into the hundreds. “Rarely does a week go past when a winner somewhere in NSW was not bred by the family,” said Peter Nugent of Harness Racing NSW. “This recognition is a very well deserved for the Parkes trotting industry’s most well-known surname.”

“My father was all work, he did not like the fact that we wanted to play other sports,” said Craig of Stan, who passed away in November last year at the age of 88. “We worked very hard on the farm.”

In Ruby Vale’s peak, they not only had 358 mares, but 3,000 head of sheep and some crop. “We did not have regular staff. It was only my dad, his brother Uncle Joe and Tony, while the rest of us worked on weekends,” said Craig. The horses always needed work, so we hardly ever went on family holidays.

It was also Craig’s grandfather who started the family’s tradition of serving on the harness racing committee in Parkes when he joined it in 1949. Under his leadership Parkes became the first country track this side of the Blue Mountains to have night trotting with lights in 1953.

“Dad went on the committee around 1960s, and he encouraged us to be involved, so I went on in 1977, and ended up being the youngest president and the youngest to be awarded life membership,” said Craig, who was also secretary for the Dubbo club until his father fell ill late last year, and became a board member again in Parkes at the recent AGM.

Just like his father, Craig has been very generous with his time in serving Rugby League too and is still running the junior and senior canteens.

John also took on the administration side and has had a long and distinguished career in Harness Racing. He commenced with the NSW Harness Racing Club in 1988. He has been Chief Executive Officer of the NSW Harness Racing Club since 2004, prior to that he was the Racing Manager from 1988 to 2004.

The next generation is carrying on the bloodline with Craig’s son Michael making a name as a race caller, not only in harness racing but other racing sports including the gallopers and dogs at a growing list of venues around NSW. Michael also writes almost daily columns in the Daily Telegraph and is often interviewed for all things racing.

The Dumesny roots in the Parkes harness racing industry are very deep, and Tony summed this passion up when he said: “It’s the horses, they are such beautiful animals – that’s what keep us all in the industry.”

By Maggi Barnard

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