Bowls
Heat is on in bowls club championships

The heat in on at the Forbes Sports and Recreation Club as bowlers head to the ‘pointy end’ of club championship matches with several played in the past week.

Two games were played in A and B Pairs with the solid combination of Cliff Nelson and Jeff Nicholson proving their tip as one of the favourites winning 32-15 in the scheduled 25 ends over Pat O’Neill and Shane Booza’ Bolam.

A brilliant start, 19-0 after eight set the tone for the match with Cliff and Jeff enjoying the ride to the finish line where 22-14 after 18 was the closest Pat and ‘Booza’ got.

It wasn’t much better for Sue Smith and Jason Howell who tasted a 13-32 defeat at the hand of a couple who on their day are capable of toppling all comers in Sid Morris and Denny Byrnes. Like above they jumped out of the boxes brilliantly to lead 11-1 after eight never giving Sue and Jason any chance of victory.

Minor Triples had a game for the ages with Bill Scott, that man Cliff Nelson and Robert ‘Pooch’ Dukes winning the last end with a two for a 19-18 victory in 21 ends over Ray Dunstan, John Gorton and Scott McKellar.

They eye balled each other all game with some good and some not good bowls for 5-all after six, 9-all at the end of 11, 16-all after 17 then 17-all after 19 before the nerve killing final two ends. The rest is now history.

In a shorten game due to a health issue Lindy Bokeyar, Billy Cowell and Paul Doust had a 15-6 win over Clint Hurford, Ron Thurlow and Dale Scott. Again a bright start to the victors, 5-0 after three but unfortunately after that only 12 ends were played.

SOCIAL BOWLS – Irene Riley was the star performer on and off the green last WEDNESDAY morning leading for Alf Davies for the pair to claim card draw winners 22-18 in 22 ends over Sue Smith and Kerry Dunstan. In the club Irene won the meat raffle as did the ever popular Anne Mackay.

Back to the green. Sue and Kerry must have thought ‘today the day’ leading 6-0 after three. It then tightened up, 6-all after seven, 9-all after 10 but they did hit the lead 17-11 after 15 before 17-all after 19. 5-1 in the last three end was their undoing for the former state in-door bowls champion and her Wednesday co-organiser.

Card draw runners-up were a popular couple in Fred Vogelsang and Geoff West 22-14 in 18 over Anne Nixon and Lyn Simmonds. Jumping out of the boxes was a trend Wednesday, or was it the apple cider as Fred and Geoff led 13-0 after six then 17-4 after 11. All over bar the shouting.

Cool man Sid Morris joined the ladies but had no luck when he and lead Leslie Dunstan went down 11-18 to Gail McKay and Sue White in 18. The second half was shared 7-all. Next time Sid.

Noel Jolliffe can now rest easy as his beloved Dragons threw away chance after chance to play the NRL finals to enjoy his bowls as he did last week leading for Don Craft winning 28-16 in 20 over Peter Mackay and Lyall Strudwick. They led 14-9 after 10 then 26-9 after 15 before putting the cue in the rack.

Bill O’Connell continues to play well leading for Dale Scott winning 21-15 over Bill Scott and Jeff Nicholson also in 20 leading 13-2 after six before giving a shake at 17-13 after 15.

Card sharks John Brown and Geoff Coles went head to head way from the table with JB getting the better of GC skipping for Colleen Liebich winning 15-11 over his mate and Robyn Mattiske in 16. They were behind 6-8 after eight. A bit unusual as that same score was recorded after end nine. Still an enjoyable day on the green for four staunch club supporters.

Cunning they are, Barry White and Tony Bratton winning 15-11 in 20 over Ray Dunstan and Paul Doust. Looking good at 9-4 after 10, before 10-all after 16 only to stamp their authority 5-1 in the run home.

In the last, Bill Looney and Peter Barnes combined well to win 15-10 in 16 over Therese Davis and John Gorton just in front 8-5 after eight. They won 7-5 coming home.

While only social bowls Thursday afternoon four games on SUNDAY morning where the winning and losing rink were the same, Rink 4 which had Angie Dwyer and ‘Bert’ Bayley winning 17-7 over Ben Parslow and Viv Russell in the scheduled 16 ends.

Tight early, 9-5 as the bowlers headed for half time drinks only for A and B to win six of the last eight ends.

Billy Cowell did all asked of him by skip Cheree Vincent winning 19-6 over ‘hubby’ Maxie Vincent and Lyall Strudwick. They had a strangle hold on the game 8-2 at drinks which carried on in the second half.

Mick Merritt and John Cutler won 15-7 over Allan Hilder and Peter Tisdell in command at 9-2 after eight.

In the last two Peters in Greenhalgh and Mackay found best form to win 17-10 over two Dales, Maynard and Scott who were behind 8-3 at half way with a similar score on the run home. Resting touchers, Peer Tisdell and Mick Merritt, raspberry Ben Parslow. Chooks to John Cutler, Peter Greenhalgh, Max Vincent, Al Phillips, Ben Parslow, Mick Merritt and Dale Maynard.

IT”S YOUR CLUB – Having a day out may we suggest the 'Bowlie', the community club there for all. Book now for your annual Christmas party or family get-together.

Take in the re-furbished deck over-looking the lake and next door to the kids play-ground. What a location for all members of the family. In-club friendly atmosphere complemented by superb Chinese dining in the re-furbished restaurant.

Something is happening all the time at your community club - Friday afternoon is HAPPY HOUR 4.30 to 6pm. Cheap as chips and a snack thrown in. There is also the raffle … winners everywhere.

And remember Happy Hour also on Sunday, 12 midday to 1.30pm.

When not hosting premier events inside and outside. SOCIAL BOWLS – Wednesday 10am; Thursday 1pm; Sunday 10am. And why not INDOOR BOWLS – Monday 2pm or the POOL COMP – Friday 7pm. CROQUET – Sunday 9.30am. Weekly MEMBERS DRAW – 7pm Wednesday.