Bowls Notes and Club Blog

CLUB MAJOR FOURS CHAMPIONSHIPS
The team of Matthew Parker, Tom Furey, Tom Casey and Michael Went are the 2015 major fours champions following matches played over the weekend.
The action started on Saturday with two quarter final matches.
The first match saw Bob Freeman, Bill Skinner, Max Tomkins and John Corcoran up against Wilbur Harris, Bruce Deland, Dean Searl and Warren Bevan. This was a very close match with team Corcoran leading 10-9 after 13 ends. They then won the next three ends to extend their lead to 18-9 before team Bevan won three ends straight to reduce the margin to 18-16 with two ends to play. Team Corcoran held firm and went on to record an upset 21-16 win. A feature of this game was that all John’s fellow team members were left handers. Good to see the lefties dominate in a game of bowls.
The other game saw Mike Valentine, John Ward, Geoff Freeman and Keith MacRae play Ted Wright, Col Mudie, Graham Barby and John Davies. This match was also a very close encounter with the score 14 all after 13 ends. Team MacRae scored 12 shots in winning the next four ends to hold a commanding 26-14 lead and then held on to record a 28-18 win.
The semi final action on Sunday morning saw Dave Johnson, Craig Henry, Peter McPhee and Eddie McPhee get away to a dream 15-0 lead and then continued to play good bowls to defeat Bob Freeman, Bill Skinner, Wally Austin (sub) and John Corcoran 33-16.
The other semi final saw Matthew Parker, Tom Furey, Tom Casey and Michael Went play Mike Valentine, John Ward, Geoff Freeman and Keith MacRae in another close game with the match still in the balance on the penultimate end. Team Went held a narrow 14-13 lead after 16 ends before winning the next two ends to lead 21-13. Team MacRae fought back and after scoring four shots on end 19 they held three shots on the penultimate end with Michael having one bowl to play. He played a magnificent draw bowl to claim the end and his team also won the last end to claim the match 25-17.
This meant team Went was up against team McPhee in the final. Team Went dominated the early stages of the match and led 19-3 after nine ends. The rest of the match was closely contested however the early advantage was maintained for team Went to win the final 28-12. Michael Went was clearly man of the series and showed the appreciative crowd why he is the current number one player in the club.
HANDICAP PAIRS
This event is being played in sections with each team playing three games with the top four teams to compete in a finals playoff. The draw is on the board and bowlers are encouraged to organise to play their games over the next few weeks. The three preliminary rounds must be played by Sunday, September 6. Semi finals and final are set down to be played on September 19-20.
One match was played on Sunday. After giving four shots start Rob Irving and Ray Jones played consistent bowls to defeat Bernie Mitchell and Nimo Mills 34-13.
SOCIAL BOWLS
12 bowls braved the icy conditions on Thursday and played three games of pairs.
Col Mudie and Graham Barby had a convincing 25-11 win over Mike Valentine and Keith MacRae.
Ray Jones and John Ward dominated in their 22-13 win over John Hodge and Eddie McPhee.
Mick Blunt and Rob Irving were aided by a seven shot end in their hard fought 21-16 win over Bob Freeman and Ted Wright.
Prize winners were Mick Blunt and Rob Irving.
Saturday saw 12 social bowlers join the major four players.
Adam and Henry Bielderman recorded a good 33-13 win over John Keogh and Ron Hornery.
Les Kent and John Hodge won the last three ends to record a come from behind 16-13 win over Gordon Dickson and Joe Crowley.
John Watson and Nimo Mills had a hard fought 23-17 win over Alan Affleck and Rob Irving.
Major prize winners were Adam and Henry Bielderman with the minor winners being the major fours team of Mike Valentine, John Ward, Geoff Freeman and Keith MacRae.
SUNDAY MORNING JACKPOT
Eight bowlers played two games of pairs.
Isobel Svendsen and Maureen Baillie had a good 21-10 win over Ann Everett and George Boatswain.
June Burgess and George Bradley won the last two ends to snatch a 13-11 win over Eileen Bradley and Mal Porter.
Prize winners were June Burgess, George Bradley and Isobel Svendsen.
The jackpot was not won and will be $1000 next week. Come along on Sunday morning for a game of bowls, a sausage sandwich, and a chance of winning the jackpot. Names in by 9:30am for a 10:00am start.
MEALS
Members and their invited guests are advised that Mike’s Kitchen is open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday for lunch and dinner. It is also open for Sunday lunch with roast lunch being the speciality. Mike’s Kitchen is also available for group bookings at other times of the week.
Friday night raffles are also held with patrons having the chance to win meat trays, shopping vouchers and cash prizes. Members badge draw this Friday is $1500.
GENERAL
Nominations for the Board of Directors close on Friday, August 14.
Anyone who is a financial member of the club (full or social) is welcome to nominate. Anyone who feels they have something positive to offer the club should think about nominating for a position. All new directors must complete the directors’ training course.
The AGM will be held on Monday, September 21.
UPCOMING BOWLS EVENTS
August 15-16 – Minor Fours Championships;
STARTERS
Thursday, August 13 – John Hodge and Max Tomkins; Saturday, August 15 – Joe Crowley and Geoff Freeman; Thursday, August 20 – Alan Affleck and Keith MacRae.