The rain has been a treat for the greens, however, keeping our Ground Control busy.

The main event was the Minor Singles Championship final between Lorraine Baker and Maureen Miller. Tension was high, and the match was an even contest. The scores ebbed and flowed, with Maureen finishing with a surge to take the title for 2021 over 32 ends.

In social games, Isabel Svensden/Eileen Bradley/Lynn Ryan/Maureen Baillie came up against the barrage of Flo Riseborough/Hilda McPherson/Liz Byrne with Team Byrne’s score reaching the high-water mark and Team Baillie remaining in drought.

In a raucous game of fours, Frances Charlton/Di Howell/Maria Willcockson/Merilyn Rodgers/Rosemary Mitchell played Kim Evans/Lea Orr/Chris Cox/Jan McPhee/Vi West. Scores rose steadily but the depth of experience in Team West was the catalyst for a win!

In another triples game, scores remained close all the way. Carol Reed/Chris Curteis/Heather Harvey kept their heads above water, leaving Kate Keogh/Kay Craft/Joan Simpson bobbing in their wake.

By Lea Orr

The weather gods smiled on us on Saturday and four championship matches were played.

Minor Pairs Championship

Rob Irving and Jim Blake started well against Brian and Greg Townsend and lead 10-1 after nine ends. Brian and Greg fought back, but Rob and Jim advanced to the next round with a win 18-12.

Mixed Pairs Championship

Gwenda Carty and Col Hayward had a close match against Merilyn Rodgers and Wilbur Harris. After six ends Merilyn and Wilbur had opened up a lead of 10-3, Gwenda and Col gradually got back into the game, but in the end Merilyn and Wilbur won 24-20.

Maree Grant and Tom Furey were too strong for John Wright and Bettsy Johnstone, winning 31-15.

In the Handicap Pairs Dave Johnson and Mal Porter lead all the way against Col Miller and Ron Hornery, running out winners 33-21.

By George Bradley

The women raised the grand amount of $1,065 at their Spring Fling event last week for CanAssist. President Maureen Miller presented the cheque to CanAssist President Sylvia Glendenning on Tuesday.

Women’s Bowls

The rain has given the greens a blast of oxygenated H2O, and Ground Control have done a grand job preparing the perfect surface.

In the semi-finals of the Minor Singles Lorraine Baker defeated Lynn Ryan in a close tussle in atrocious conditions last Friday, and Maureen Miller sewed up the match against Heather Harvey on Tuesday. The final will take place between Lorraine and Maureen next week.

In a social game of pairs, Marja Iffland and Fran Dixon kept it very friendly when playing against Betsy Johnstone and Lynn Ryan, drawing the game 15-all.

Sue Butson of Ulladulla and Flo Riseborough were pleased with their game, and enjoyed a win over Kay Craft and Carol Reed.

Valmai Westcott/Chris Cox/Merilyn Rodgers had a challenge on their hands against Frances Charlton/Di Howell/Vi West, the eventual winners by a good margin.

Kim Evans/Jan McPhee (sisters with attitude), together with Rose Mitchell and Joan Simpson were even-stevens against Eileen

Bradley/Hilda McPherson/Maureen Baillie, 20-all after 21 ends!

To play social bowls, call the club between 9 – 9.30am with play to commence at 10am.

By Lea Orr

Men’s Bowls

Minor Triples Championship
Rob Irving and Jo and Mike Simpson had a bit of trouble shaking off Greg Huggins, Jim Blake and Mal Porter. After 16 ends Team Huggins lead 14-13 but then Team Irving took control and won all of the remaining ends to win 25-14.

Mixed Pairs Championship
Only one match of Mixed Pairs was played last week, and what a close game it was. The team of Brett and Cherrie Frame were up against Dave Johnson and Lorraine Baker. The scores were locked at 21 all with one end to play. Both teams were holding shot but eventually Brett and Cherrie scored two shots to advance to the semi-final.

By George Bradley

2021 MAJOR TRIPLES CHAMPIONS

The final was played between Mike Went, Mark Dwyer and Greg Townsend against Wilbur Harris, Guy Ellery and Steve Turn-er. Team Harris won the first two ends but were down by one shot (9-10) at the half way point. Over the next 4 ends Team Went scored 11 shots to open up a lead of 21-9. Team Harris won 4 of the last 9 ends but could not bridge the gap and team Went ran out winners 28-15.
Congratulations to Mike, Mark and Greg– the 2021 Club Major Triples Champions!

MIXED PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP

Only one match played with Liz Byrne and Col Mudie too good for the pairing of Jan McPhee and Mark Dwyer, winning 23 -11.

HANDICAP PAIRS

Tom Furey and Greg Huggins played John Wright and Gary McPhee, who advanced to the next round with a 24-21 win.
Rob Tinker and Tony Reardon had the lead over Steve Turner and Martin Tighe from the word go to win 23-20.

By George Bradley

COLOUR AND EXCITEMENT

The Parkes Bowling and Sports Club was buzzing with excitement and colour on our Spring Fling Gala Bowls Day on Tuesday.

All 52 bowlers enjoyed getting together with visitors from other clubs, dressing in colourful, floral mufti, and playing social bowls.

We all lined up to bowl one delivery, simultaneously, towards the “spider” to start off the day. Chris Cox and Betsy Johnstone accepted the offered prizes.

The “Irish” end tested us out, with the jack being rolled towards the bowls, instead of the normal order of events. And to finish, we played with our opposite hand, leaving many of us diving for cover!

With a picnic-style lunch awaiting us, the action moved inside. A tremendous day all round, and we raised $981 for CanAssist!

Happy birthdays to November calendar babes: Helen, Elaine and Heather!

To play social bowls next Tuesday, call the club, 68621446, between 9 – 9:30am to play at 10am.

By Lea Orr

Minor Pairs Championship

The match between Jim Blake and Rob Irving and the pairing of Bernie Mitchell and Mike Valentine looked like a footy match played in two halves. After 5 ends Bernie and Mike lead 10-0 and ‘half time’ was called. Whatever was said during the break made Jim and Rob won all but one of the remaining ends to run out winners 22-11. In a close match Mick Simpson and Wilbur Harris had the lead 15-6 after 14 ends before Martin Tighe and Gary McPhee won the remaining 7 ends to just get up, 16-15.

Mixed Pairs Championship

Elaine Miller and Steve Turner started well but on the sixth end Jan McPhee and Mark Dwyer took the lead. They continued to lead and going into the last two ends they were ahead 22-14. On the second last end Elaine and Steve scored five shots, but could not bridge the gap on the last end. Jan and Mark ran out winners 22-20. Maureen and Col Miller had a good win against Fran and Grahame Dixon 32-9, but in the next round were out played by Cherrie and Brett Frame, 27 – 11. Handicap Pairs
Brian Townsend and Brett Frame won against Ray Jones and George Boatswain, 34-17.Tom Furey and Greg Huggins had a win over Bernie Mitchell and Mike Valen-tine, 29 – 17.

By George Bradley