The Sundee morning bowls – good sailing weather

WEATHER can be quite a factor when bowls are played. Unfortunately for us in Dubbo we cannot afford the luxury of having enclosed greens that keep weather from becoming an interference. Last Sundy a sailor would have loved the wind that blustered the bowls.

41 bowlers, including six who had blown in from Western Australia lined up against the elements.

Skips Kath Edwards and John Hayden aged some during their game. Sue Mccauley was lead for Kath and had the difficult task of competing with her husband Ron while Pete Bennison battled against Roger Sherwin. John’s crew grabbed six shots and a corresponding lead at the halfway but Kath kept her team calm and with two to go they were in front by three. John’s mob added two on 15 and another couple on the last for a 15-14 result.

Sue Armstrong, L Panting (one of the West Aussies) and Gordon Scott had a tight next door against Leo Balstad, Allan Stratford and Ruby Stockings. The icy wind played havoc with the bones as they rolled into the second half. Gordon’s team grabbed a three-shot lead after a four on the ninth before Ruby quietly brought her team back to “eeks” at 13all after 13. Pressure was applied, bowls went awry allowing Gordon’s bunch to pull off a 17-14 win.

Way over on rink 14, Paul Goodstat had Dave Davis; Greg Brown had Gary Huggins with Pat O’leary lead for both teams. Gary and Greg were off to a flier and with Pat’s help led by seven after End 4. Paul and Dave then called on Pat and narrowed within three at the halfway mark and after drinks continued their fine form.

The two Gs had some late joy scoring four shots over final 3 ends, but it was all too late. Paul and Dave – with Pat – victorious, 18 to 13.

“An attack – an assault combined with an ambush” are just mild expressions of what transpired on rink 8. Three of the bowlers from this rink will not want to relive that fateful 2.5 hours of last Sundy. The other three enjoyed their time on the green! Helene Emblen Neil Mcilwilaine (another from WA) and Bryan O’sullivan had a veil of confidence about them as they put Chris Strojny, Karen Greenhalge and Pete Ruzans on the backfoot from the start with a massive seven shot total! No matter how they tried Chris, Karen and Pete could only admire the wonderful bowling of Bryan’s team who were beaming after a 29-4 pounding.

Beryl Scott, Ross Pharo and Col Cottee put Lorraine Exten (from WA), Cheryl Storch and Chris Cristante to the sword in their match. Col’s team made their surge after the turnaround to grab a convincing 18-10 win.

Frank Vaughn returned from some time away to play with Frank Armstrong and Fiona Panting (WA) against Pat Sherwin Gordon Lummis and Col Dover. The latter were ruthless as they stormed to 11-3 after eight. The ‘Three Fs’ kept up their fantastic energy levels but were no match for the winners, 23-6 the final score.

West Aussies K Mcilwain and N Exten joined Kevin Scott and discussed many things, some of which had to do with bowls! Kevin enticed the best out of his visitors who claimed seven of the first half ends. Mary Perry, Mel Giddings and John Cole came back to tally nine on the return but the eight by their opponents sealed it 19-10.

● Winners – Helene Emblen, Neil Mcililwaite and Bryan O’sullivan.

● Runners-up – Pat Sherwin, Gordon Lummis and Col Dover.

● Lucky numbers – Cheryl Storch, Frank Vaughn and Loraine Exten.