Bowls Notes and Club Blog

Thursday Bowls
The best match up of the day was the clash between Colin Hayward and Stan Wright up against Josh Mills and Bernie Coleman, Col and Stan just getting away at the finish to win 19-14. In other games Geoff Freeman and Tony Byrne won 22-16 against John Ward and Tom Cole and John Hodge and Noel Nicholson def Tom Casey and Greig Ball 29-6. Eddie McPhee and Bill Wyatt were too consistent for Col Mudie and Don Littlewood winning 26-16, as was Chris Millwood and Garry McPhee in their 25-12 win over Ray Jones and Mike Valentine. The late finish game saw Wally Austin and John Dunn def Graham Dixon and Greg Davies 20-13.

Saturday Bowls.
A huge field of 48 took to the greens with club championship matches providing some great action and a couple of very close results. The stand out match was a thrilling one shot win to John Davies and Graham Barby over Ricky Frame and Rem Henry. In a match of the highest standard the scores fluctuated regularly during the game and were locked on 16all after 21 ends, it required an extra end to decide the winner and John and Graham just scraped up the shot for an exciting 17-16 win. Also in major pairs Rob Tinker was the star as he and John Hodge upset Eddie and Peter McPhee 27-15, the McPhee boys didn’t play badly Rob was in fine touch and was able to spoil most of their opportunities.

In major singles former champ Baldy Frame had to call on all his vast skill and experience to hold off a determined challenge from Mick Went, running out a close 31-28 winner.

Showing great form was Tom Casey and Greig Ball as they held off a very fast finishing Andrew Trotman and Craig Cusack 20-17. This was a minor pair’s match and the win over very highly fancied opponent’s makes Tom and Greig look good things for the title.

There were four minor singles also played and a couple of the heavyweights were on show. One of the favourites Josh Mills continued his charge in clinical fashion winning 31-12 against Wally Grant, while another contender Andrew Trotman was equally impressive scoring a crushing 31-12 win over Terry Hetherington. A dark horse could be emerging in Kevin McGuire he showed great determination to hold off old stager Ron Murray 31-27 in a match that went for a marathon 38 ends. Johno Austin showed that when he plays regularly he can be a real force in the minors; he won a tough encounter with Steve Turner 31-24.

The best of the social bowls was a sensational last bowl win for Geoff Freeman and Chris Dunn over Ray Jones and John Keogh. The scores were locked on 14all and Geoff was down playing his last bowl, he played a great up shot to rest out the shot and grab two for the win. In other games John Ward and Colin Woods won 26-16 against Mark Dwyer and Joe Crowley, and Rob Corbett and Ellie Hetherington def Col Mudie and Don Littlewood 26-14. Mike Valentine and Paul Henry won 23-16 against Dave Worthington and Wally Austin and in triples Kevin Hynds, John Edwards and Gordon Dickson won 23-20 against Ken Walsh, Alan Afflick and June Burgess.

Consistency Comp.
The current consistency comp finishes this week and there are a number of chances as six players are still in the running with just two shots separating them. Leading on 21 points is John Davies closely followed by Josh Mills on 20 and four players coming next on 19 points, they are Ted Wright, Graham Barby, Robert Corbett and John Edwards, should be an interesting Saturday afternoon bowls.

Sunday Bowls.
More club championship match was played over Sunday as the action heats up in all divisions. Match of the day should have been the clash between big guns Baldy Frame and Robert Corbett. The promise of a real entertaining show down did not eventuate as Baldy gave a polished display to completely over run the former champ 31-11. Coming from behind in a minor pairs match was Dave Johnson and Craig Henry they won the last three ends to just pip Mick Craft and Wally Grant 24-23. Also in minor pairs Mike Parkes and Bernie Mitchell scored an upset 26 – 16 win over the more fancied Peter McPhee and Josh Mills.

Of the Sunday social bowls the best game was a close 16-11 win to Kevin Hynds and Chris Dunn against Craig Cusack and Athol Wade.
The jackpot continues to grow and is now up to $600 for next week.