Bowls Notes and Club Blog

Despite the fact that six of last year’s No.1 players are unavailable for this season, selectors have still come up with what appears to be a solid outfit. Several new players get their chance at the top grade; it appears the selectors are looking to build for the future by bringing up some of the promising younger brigade of players in the club. The new look No.1 side is: Dane Bland, Andrew Trotman, Mick Went and Tom Casey; Robert Corbett, John Davies, Josh Mills and Ricky Frame; Colin Hayward, Eddie McPhee, Craig Cusack and Geoff Freeman. The return of Col Hayward and Dane Bland as skippers along with the elevation of Andrew Trotman, Mick Went, Tom Casey and Craig Cusack make up the new faces. And along with the nucleus of players from last year it could turn out to be an exciting year in pennants. First game for the No.1’s will be a home game against West Dubbo on April 3.

The second side the No.4’s is also a new looking outfit and again the emphasis is on promoting form and younger players up the ranks.
The team is: Arthur Corbett, Colin Mudie, John Ward and Mark Dwyer; John Corcoran, Paul Henry, John Hodge and Ben Townsend; Tony Bright, Ray Jones, Steve Ryan and Greig Ball. Sill a formidable outfit with a good blend of youth and experience, good to see promising youngster Ben Townsend in the side and the selection of Tony Bright as a skipper is a positive move. Their first game will be a home double header; on Saturday, April 2 when they take on Bourke then back up the next day to play Cobar.
The No.6 and No.7 sides will be in next week’s notes.

Thursday Bowls.
The rain held off long enough to complete all the afternoon games, and heading the show was a thrilling tie. In this game Keith MacRae and Tom Cole rattled home fast picking up shots on the last two ends to force a 19all result with Terry Hetherington and Mike Valentine. John Dunn and Noel Nicholson produced a fine display of precision bowls to completely out gun John Carr and Bob Freeman 30-15. Also winning in fine fashion was Dave Button and Bruce Orr as they were just too strong for Colin Hayward and Mick Craft. The triples was a closer affair and turned out to be a handy 23-16 win for John Ward, Wally Grant and John Edwards over John Corcoran, Steve Turner and Kevin Hynds. Starters for this week’s social mufti are Merv Hennock and Greg Davies.

Mid Week Business House Bowls.
Wednesday produced many huge wins and only a few close games resulted on the night. Best game was a 15 -13 win for Maree’s Costumes against Trundle Ex- Services, and next best was a 15-12 victory for Ditch Bitches over Pot Luck.
The only other reasonably close affair was a 19-9 win to Services No1 against Services No2. Thursdays games had to dodge the rain but never the less managed to get through the night without too much trouble. The game of the night was a tight 11-9 win for Inswingers against Back Trundle Road. Also after a tough battle Village People defeated Three Amigo’s 16-12.

Saturday Bowls.
There were some big scores in social bowls and only two close games, with the pick being a hard fought 23- 19 win to Noel Nicholson and Colin Woods over John Hodge and Garry McPhee. In another tight game Tony Bright and Max Tomkins defeated Ken Walsh and Craig Henry 23-18. This Saturday and Sunday there will be an in house 2 bowls pair’s tournament sponsored by Casey Surveying and Design. Restricted to 14 sides it will start at 9am each day and consists of six games of 14 ends each day,
Prize money of $900 on offer, 1st $400, 2nd $300, 3rd $200 .

Sunday bowls.
Sunday morning there was the usual good field, highlighted by the jackpot of $880 going to couple of lucky players, best match was a close 16-14 win to Wally Grant and Chris Dunn over Chris Millwood and Charlie Hampton. Sunday afternoon saw the final of the major fours and featured Dane Bland’s side up against John Davies’ side, after both sides had won through after impressive semi- final wins on Saturday. Davies side of Graham Barby, Colin Mudie and Ted Wright jumped away to a great 16-2 lead and were never headed going on to record a great victory. Dane’s side of Eddie McPhee, Josh Mills and Peter McPhee tried hard but could not bridge the gap while they made some ground the final score was 28-17. All players contributed to the win with both Ted and Colin setting things up brilliantly from the front.


Good Bowling.