MAJELLAN
By Bob the Bowler
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Social Bowls
The weather has turned nasty this week with Winter winds testing the most hardened of bowlers but they still turn up to play. This week’s Tuesday Afternoon Social competition saw just three rinks in action with Tiger Smith, Terry Clark and Paul Francis take the game and daily rink prize with a 23-20 win over Tony Hogan, Ian Warren and Frank Farrell.
The Smith team led for the first eight ends when the Hogan team collected a five to move into top spot. But a six in the 11th end for the Smith team pushed them out to 12-8 and by the 16th end they were leading by 20-10. By the 20th it was all even at 20-20 with the Smith team scoring a three in the last to take the win.
Peter Naylor and Kerry Connors teamed up to deliver a 29-10 win over Kevin Howard and Ron McGarry, in an almost lead from the front display by the Naylor team. Jumping from the blocks with a three, the Naylor team got to four when the Howard team scored a two, three and one to go to 7-4 leaders, but it was short lived. From the seventh end, the Naylor team began an almost flawless run of 13 end wins, with the Howard team scoring just one in the 11th end. The Naylor team took the lead back in the eighth end and by the 20th they were 29-8 in a shattering demonstration of dominant bowls.
Tony McNamara and Jim Clark scored a 25-11 win in their match against Paul Kennedy, back from his annual break, and Ron Hollebone, after scores were even after the second and eighth ends. From the ninth end, the McNamara team took control with a five-end run for 11 points to sit 17-6 in front before the Kennedy team managed a one before the McNamara team came back with two singles of their own. The Kennedy team made it to double figures in the 20th end but it was all the McNamara team for a 14 point margin win.
The Saturday Afternoon Social Competition was dogged by swirling cold winds and showers which shortened each of the four triples games, which optimistically got underway at 12noon. Ken Hartwig, Graham Couchman and Allen North won the daily rink prize 16-8 after 12 ends against Tony McNamara, Larry Smith and Max Elms after scores were even after two ends.
The McNamara team were at 3-2 when the Hartwig team scored a four in the fourth and a three in the sixth to lead 9-4 and they were away. The Hartwig team were leading 16-5 after the 10th when the McNamara team began a run which was unfortunately cut short by mother nature.
Tony Hogan, Gus Thurgood and Kerry Connors were narrow leaders after the tenth end in their 8-7 win over Rhys Harvey, John Bosson and Terry Burke when time was called. Both teams were just getting into their stride when the game was up with the Harvey team leading out from the blocks and the Hogan team scoring a four to open their account. A disappointing outcome for both teams but you cannot fight the weather.
Tim Pickstone, Ross Pranffield and Tony Press made it to 11 ends in their 11-10 win over Gary Cameron, Terry James and George Ballard but the result could easily have been reversed. The Pickstone team were out to two after the second end with the Cameron team opening their account with a three to lead 3-2.
The Pickstone team responded with a two and one but the Cameron team collected a one and four to lead 8-5 after the seventh. Both teams scored two in the next couple of ends but the Pickstone team scored two-point wins in the next two ends to go one in front by one when the game was called.
Mick Simmons, Hugh Brennan and Terry Clark were the rabbits on the day, getting to 18 ends before their match was called off. By that time, they were in front 21-12 over Noel Witney, Graham Parrett and Trevor Sharpen who fought hard early but couldn’t maintain the pace.
Scores were even after the second and fifth ends with both teams fairly even until a three-end run by the Simmons team from the ninth pushed them out to 11-5 leaders. The Witney team came back with a five to sit just one shot behind, but the Simmons team then scored a four, two and two one’s for a 19-10 lead. A two for each team and then the hooter was sounded to clear the green to end the match.
Despite the weather, the Majellan greens are holding up very well with soil tests recently completed and the annual maintenance plan in full preparation.
Congratulations to the volunteers who work in the greens management team at the Club for their outstanding efforts in keeping the greens in top condition. If any members would like to join the team, talk to Tiger Smith or just turn up for the Thursday morning working bee, you will be welcomed and appreciated.
The Mixed Bowls Competitions are in play at the moment and players are reminded that they need to be mindful of play by dates posted on the notice board. A number of tournaments at Majellan and neighboring Clubs have also been posted to the notice board for the attention of interested bowlers.
Bookings for Christmas Parties are starting to come in with most dates in December already booked. Members are advised that the Board of Majellan has decided to re-introduce the Annual Presentation Dinner and this will be held on December 1 with tickets available shortly so mark your diary members.
That’s it for another busy week readers so until next time, just for the giggle from anonymous, “The broccoli says, 'I look like a small tree', the mushroom says, 'I look like an umbrella', the walnut says, 'I look like a brain', and the banana says, 'Can we please change the subject?”
BATHURST CITY
By Sarge
The Bathurst City Men’s Bowling Club recently participated in the NSW Grade 3 Pennant Finals conducted in Dubbo. The side achieved the right to represent Zone 4 after moving through the zone section of the competition undefeated.
Their section of the state finals read like a whose who of NSW bowls, being drawn against Warilla, St Johns Park and Singleton RSL. They won all three games with a particularly tense come from behind win against Singleton to earn a coverted, semi-final berth against the side from Raymond Terrace.
Bathurst defeated Warilla 77-62, Singleton 63-58 and St Johns Park 62-55. In a see sawing semi-final, Bathurst jumped away to an early ten point lead. Raymond Terrace played some excellent bowls throughout the middle of the 63 end contest to establish a healthy lead and seemingly, a solid win and a place in the final.
However, as has been the case with the Bathurst team, they fought hard to tie the match up at 58 a piece with one end to play. With four bowls to come from the skips, Bathurst held game with a well-placed bowl, however the Raymond Terrace skip was able to remove it with his first bowl and from there hang on for a one shot victory. Whilst disappointed with the loss, Bathurst were ultra-competitive throughout and should be very proud of their efforts. Raymond Terrace were defeated by Engadine 59-48 in the state final.
It was pleasing to see our Junior Development players play on Saturday. Carla, Kane, Bryce, Karli, Fletcher, Brody and Guy with the help of Judy played a games of triples and singles. Their skills are improving and developing each week. Well done to you all.
Social Bowls
Wednesday Socials saw a game of triples and two game of pairs.
Game 1
Bob Heffernan, Bob Foster and Ross James 18 defeated John Martin, Jack Smith and Norm Hayes 15. Ross’s team led 10-6 after 11 ends but Norm’s team fought back to level 14-14 after 17 ends. Ross won three of the last four ends for a close win. Ends 12-9 to Ross.
Game 2
Jim Grives and Ray Noonan defeated Barry McPherson and John Archer 24-11. Poppy Grives frustrated the Archer team playing to head and making shots. Jim and Ray led from the third end and were never headed winning 12 of the 21 ends.
Game 3
Bobby Lindsay took revenge on Denis Oxley when he teamed with Phil Murray to defeat Denis and Kevin Miller 29-7. The Lindsay team won 15 of the 21 ends and cruised to a massive 22 shot victory. Oxley is after a rematch and still claims he has had seven wins to Bob’s two in their clashes this year.
Friday socials only had eight starters due to the number of players and supporters in Dubbo for the State Playoffs.
Game 1
Arch Ledger and Mick Sewell defeated Pat Duff and Denis Oxley 16 shots to 13. Pat and Denis took the lead on the third end but that was the only time they led with Arch and Mick proving too consistent. Each team won nine ends with team Sewell scoring two fours which proved the difference.
Game 2
Ian Gunningham and Ray Noonan 36 defeated John McDonagh and Norm Hayes ten. Ian and Shorty led 21-4 after nine ends and never let John and Norm back in the game winning 12 ends to six.
Saturday’s numbers were also down due to the large contingent of members being in Dubbo for the playoffs. 12 players played 3 games of pairs in miserable conditions.
Game 1
Adam McKay and Dennis Harvey 22 defeated Arch Ledger and Arthur Williams 11. Adam and Dennis led 15-4 after 11 ends, then 19-4 after 13 ends. Arch and Arthur then scored nine shots in five ends to trail 13-19.
Adam and Dennis responded with a two and a one to consolidate their lead before Arthur and Arch scored a five on the last end to make the score more respectable. Adam and Dennis won the ends 12-9.
Game 2
Mick Sewell and Ray Noonan 30 defeated John Fulton and Ian Schofield 22. five shots on the third end gave Mick and Shorty a 6-1 lead. Ian and John fought back and scores were 12-12 after 11 ends.
Ian and John got a five back on the 14th end to leap to 19-15. Mick and Shorty then scored 5-4-3-1-2; 15 shots over five ends to lead 30-19. Ian and John won the last two ends to finish with a 30-22 score line. Shorty won the ends 12 to 9.
Game 3 was called after 12 ends with Skipper Rich and Jim Grives leading Phil Murray and Hans Hummelshoj 12-6. Skipper and Jim won the ends 8-4. Once again well done to our Number 3 Pennant team for a gallant effort in the State Playoffs.