Can they be stopped? Many are hoping not as the Cheree Vincent skipped combination await the chance playing for the title as Major Fours bowls champions at the Forbes Sports and Recreation Club.
In earlier games the team of lead Tony Bratton, second Lindy Bokeyar and third Bruce 'Poss' Jones went into games as underdogs. The same last weekend before they accounted for John Cutler, Paul Baker, Jeff Nicholson for skip Glenn Kearney in a nail-biter, decided on the last, 22-21 over the scheduled 21 ends.
After losing the first end, Cheree who travels from Eugowra to play regularly, rallied her team to dominate leading 16-2 after nine.
A come-back by the Kearney's including two scores of five and a four had the score 19-15 after 16. Supporters on hand were feeling the change in momentum with Kearney's winning the next four ends to lead 21-20 with the last left to play.
History has it a two to Cheree and company due to excellent bowls in a tight head has them in the final facing off against Shayne Staines, Ian Hodges, Greg Gunn and Bert Bayley who won 23-13 on Sunday playing Russell Hodge, Peter Besgrove, Brian Asimus and Shane Bolam.
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Bert and 'boys' had a dream start at 6-1 after four, 9-4 after eight then only to lead 14-10 after 14. They kicked into gear to have the game own at 21-10 after 18 of the 21 ends required.
Punters are tipping Cheree and her chart stopping members will again enter the final as underdogs but the game of bowls has the habit of throwing up the odd surprise. Don't bet with confidence it won't happen again with the final most likely three weeks away due to players unavailable this weekend while the Ben Hall Pairs is scheduled for play Saturday and Sunday August 17/18.
As a major play on the sporting calendar at the Bowlie players from Bourke to Sydney and everywhere in between are amongst the 32 teams to have already nominated for the Hall carnival.
With only two vacancies remaining it is anticipated a full field will contest the $5,960 blue ribbon event. Helping to cover the cost of running the rich carnival tickets are now on sale in a raffle at $2 each or three for $5 where the lucky winners will take home a $300 Woolworths voucher first and $100 second. Tickets available at the club.
WELCOME VISITORS
Saturday weather did not disappoint and was a great day to host the Bankstown and Penrith fellows on their annual trip to Forbes for the races. Bankstown and Penrith have been coming to Forbes as a sponsor for the races for many years now and continue to help out our local businesses every year in many ways. We thank Bankstown and Penrith for their continued support and look forward to hosting another great day next year.
40 Players took to the greens with a mixture of Bankstown, Penrith and locals to try their luck over 16ends. There was a lot of laughter and good times had across 2 greens.
Winning rink on the day went to a combination team of local and visitor, Denis Byrnes and Anthony S were the victors on the day.
Our losing rink went to Felix Burns and Matt Dalley both visitors.
Resting touchers went to Al Phillips and Geoff Levinge.
Raspberries for the wrong bias were awarded to Danny Phillips, Tony Coorey and Paul Garland (all visitors) and our very own Scott McKellar.
SOCIAL BOWLS - They were out in force last WEDNESDAY morning with 30 taking to the greens where card draw winners were the ever reliable pairing of Kerry Dunstan and Sue White with a 25-15 win in 20 ends over Lyn Simmonds and Lyall Strudwick. They had to battle for the win only leading 12-10 at half time. 5-0 on the last two ends did help their score.
Runners-up were John Browne and Peter Mackay 24-14 also in 20 over Geoff West and Steve Frost. They looked comfortable home at 24-8 after 16 but ran out of gas losing the last four ends 6-0.
Bill O'Connell and Jeff Nicholson had an easy 23-16 win over Barry White and Tony Bratton who appears to be keeping his best for the Major Fours. They were behind 0-9 after six of 20 before they found line and length to dominate the run home.
In a game of triples the little live wire Ann Nixon led for Leslie Dunstan and Robyn Mattiske winning 17-7 over Bill Scott, Colleen Leibich and Sandra Priest who were only able to score on four of 14 ends.
Champion in-door bowler Sue Smith took her best outdoors to led for Laurie Crouch winning 19-8 over John Gorton and Cheree Vincent, another holding the best for fours final. It was all singles for the losers.
Jason Howell and Dale Scott proved 22-16 winners in 18 ends over Steve McMuller and Paul Doust coming home like greyhounds after being behind 3-14 at the end of 10.
In the last a couple of golf lefties in Geoff Coles and Alf Davies had all the shots to win 20-12 in 20 over Ray Dunstan and Ian Hodges leading 13-13 after nine. In-club raffle winners Colleen Leibich and Jason Howell.
Smiling on THURSDAY afternoon were Joyce Boland, Ron Thurlow, Ian Hodges and Cheree Vincent from Rink 3 needed the margin of eight to claim the $600 jackpot.
For the record Ian and Cheree won 25-17 in 22 ends finishing best after it was 9-all at the end of 10.
Drawn winning rink had Steve McMuller and Laurie Crouch on top 26-10 over Denny Byrnes and Bruce Jones in 20 ends. They led 13-3 after nine to dominate all game.
In triples Tara-Lee Shaw, Billy Cowell and Tony Bratton won 18-13 over Angie Dwyer, Bob Grant and Viv Russell. They led 13-5 after eight then stalled a little to lead 13-11 after 13 but won the run home 5-2.
Paul Doust and Al Phillips were 19-17 winners over Darryl Griffiths and Dale Scott behind 5-13 after 10, 9-16 after 16 but winning the race home 8-0 in the last four ends of 22.
In the last ace cleaner Jason Howell and Glenn Kearney put the cleaners though Max Vincent and Al Phillips 40-6 in 20 only losing on five ends. Resting toucher Steve McMuller, raspberries Ian Hodges, Cheree Vincent and Angie Dwyer.
Kicking off proceeding on SUNDAY morning was a game of triples with Geoff Coles, Allan Hilder and Dale Scott winning 14-6 in 13 ends over Angie Dwyer, Billy Cowell and Robert Dukes who scored all their points with singles behind 9-4 after nine.
The cold weather did Peter Greenhalgh and John Baass no favours going down 7-23 in the required 16 ends playing Dale Maynard and Peter Tisdell who finished strong only leading 7-5 at drinks.
Closer were Scott McKellar and John Cutler winning 13-11 over Mick Merritt and Al Phillips. Again the second half told the story, 6-5 after eight.
In the last, Jason Howell and John Kennedy won 18-12 over Pat O'Neill and Cliff Nelson coming from 4-10 down after eight. Something in the half time drinks, an impressive 14-2 on run home.
