The stadium was filling as 12 social bowlers headed out on Tuesday in Parkes. We kicked off with a spider, and it was Marja’s lucky pink bowl that held its line!

Had we allowed for extra time, Heather Harvey and Liz Byrne, playing against Jan McPhee and Marja Iffland, would have decided their drawn match with a golden point on Field 2.

On Field 3, Merilyn Rodgers and Maureen Miller took advantage of open space to score 2 points more than their rivals, Carol Reed and Brenda Davies.

Fresh from her winter spell, Laurie Keane was keen to win, teaming up with Lea Orr on Field 4. They enjoyed some lucky breaks and won by 3 points against Rosemary Mitchell and Lorraine Baker.

After 9 ends, the whistle blew for the second half and many players were called upon to change positions on the field.

With full back, Brenda now in No 1 guernsey, Team Davies proved too strong for their rivals! Dependable Liz B took over the centre position and led her new team to victory! As Lorraine moved onto the left wing, she finished with a quick run down the line to score the winning point for Team Baker!

By Lea Orr

 

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES

The eagerly anticipated final of the minor pairs match was played on Tuesday last week, with Ricky Frame leading for Chris Harrison, playing defending champions Marty Tighe and Gary McPhee. Ricky and Chris struggled early, falling behind by 8 shots after just 4 ends. Gary and Marty bowled very well to be in control early and kept the scorecard ticking over, leading 20 shots to 10 after 14 ends. However, they only scored another 3 shots for the match, as they desperately held off their fast-finishing opponents. Gary and Marty winning the minor pairs final, by 23 shots to 17.

SOCIAL BOWLS

Eighteen social bowlers played 2 games of triples and 2 games of pairs last Thursday.

Ian Simpson, Mick Keane and Major Rob Irving beat Jim Blake, Bernie Mitchell and Tony Riordan 22 to 10.

John Wright, Ron Hornery and Mick Simp-son outclassed Ray Jones, Bob Freeman and Gary McPhee 24 shots to 15.

Graeme Barby and Col Hayward played Joanne Simpson and John Ward in the game of the day. The scores were locked at 15 each after 16 ends. Col and Graeme scored 9 shots in just 2 ends to win by 24 to 19.

By Marty Tighe

September, aka Liptember is upon us at the Parkes Bowling Club! 

This month, our lady bowlers and friends are invited to purchase bright lipsticks in support of Women’s Mental Health and Lifeline. Come along next Tuesday, a normal social bowls day, and join in!

Pennants continued on Tuesday, the 4s feeling blue after a solid defeat by Orange Ex-Services. The highlight of the day was a resounding win by Parkes 3s over Orange City. All players applied themselves well, setting the foundation for their win, and blushing bright pink upon hearing that they are this year’s Central West District Grade 3 Pennants Champions!

Congratulations to both teams for a polished performance over the past few weeks. Next stop Mudgee in October!

We must thank all umpires (Gwenda and Tony) and score-keepers (George, Trevor, Steve, Maureen and Brenda) for their time, ground control gents for the amazing greens, as well as our well-organised player/managers, Lynn and Maria, for all your extra efforts.

The Central West District Mixed Pairs competition will be at our club on 8th and 9th October.

Sunday, 25th September at 11am is the AGM of Parkes B & S C.

By Lea Orr

MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES

An intriguing quarter final minor singles match was played on Thursday. Greg Townsend totally dominated Brian Hampton to be halfway to victory after leading 13 shots to 3. Brian came to life and won 6 consecutive ends to be trailing 18 shots to Greg’s 19. Greg remained composed to grind out winners over 4 consecutive ends to nearly have the match wrapped up at 23 to 18. Brian collected 6 shots over the next 3 ends to lead 24 to 23, but he fell agonisingly short as Greg played 2 ends of great draw bowls to win 25 to 24. 

PENNANTS

The Parkes Pirates Division 2 pennants teams played West Dubbo in Dubbo on Sunday, and were winners across each of the 3 rinks. Brian Townsend again played brilliantly to win the ‘Matey’ award. The Pirates Division 3 teams played against the division’s top side, Grenfell in Grenfell, and won only 1 of the 3 rinks.

By Marty Tighe

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES

Last week’s washed-out minor pairs match resumed on Saturday, with Brian Townsend and John Wright re-starting the match on the 17th end leading 16 shots to 14. Brian and John were at 19 shots to 15 with 1 end to play. Gary McPhee and Marty Tighe, needing 4 shots on the last end to force the match into a ‘golden bowl’ end, managed to surround the jack with 3 bowls with a measure for the 4th. Gary, displaying nerves of steel, delivered the last bowl, sitting out his opponents’ closest bowl, picking up the 4 shots, and forcing the match into a deciding extra end. Brian and John didn’t falter and were holding 3 shots. Come the hour, come the great Gary McPhee! His last bowl, forced the jack back to the gutter. Brian just missed drawing to the jack, resulting in a remarkable win to Gary and Marty. 

PENNANTS

Both the Parkes Pirates pennants teams played at home on Sunday. Parkes defeated Forbes in Division 2, winning 2 rinks to 1, scoring an overall win of 62 shots to 51. 

By Marty Tighe

WOMEN’S BOWLS

Once again, bowls were cancelled on Tuesday due to the weather. The Grade 3 Pennants teams travelled to Orange City and played several ends before the snow camouflaged the white jack! Parkes led on both rinks – the finale will be be continued next week.

The Parkes 4s were soundly defeated by Canowindra last Thursday. The 3s fared a little better, with a win by Team Byrne at home vs Cowra 2, but a loss on the board by just 2 points.

By Lea Orr

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES

Two Minor Pairs matches were played under very threatening dark clouds in cool conditions at the Parkes Bowling & Sports Club on Saturday. The first match featured Joanne and Mick Simpson up against the ‘Gorgeous Georges’ – Bradley and Boatswain. The two Georges started strongly against the Simpson couple and were leading 6 shots to 1 after just 3 ends. Joanne and Mick regained their composure and played steady bowls, matching their older and more experienced opponents shot for shot to regain the lead, and beat the eventual rain downpour to win by 15 shots to 10. 

Defending Minor Pairs champions Gary McPhee and Marty Tighe struggled all match against the red-hot Brian Townsend and John Wright. Brian and John dominated the majority of the match, playing terrific weighted bowls. As the sky darkened Gary started to find his range and the scores began to tighten up, just as the rain, and then hail stopped the match. Team Townsend are leading 16 shots to 14 after 16 ends. The match will resume this weekend.

ZONE PENNANTS

The wet and dismal weather caused the cancellation of the Division 2 match on Sunday between Parkes Pirates and Dubbo Macquarie in Dubbo.

The Division 3 match between Parkes and Grenfell was played at Parkes on Sunday in truly atrocious conditions with rain and wind throughout the match making it miserable for all 24 bowlers. The 3 Parkes teams beat the 3 highly fancied Cowra teams the previous Sunday in the rain, and were liking their chances as wet weather specialists at home, against the 3 highly credentialed Grenfell teams. The 3 Grenfell Skips played exceptionally well and led their teams impressively against the home teams. Grenfell secured an impressive victory on the big board by 63 shots to 51, winning 2 rinks and drawing a rink on the last end.

By Marty Tighe

Cold breezy weather greeted18 brave social bowlers with John Carr, Bob Freeman and Brian Townsend playing John Niddri, Bernie Mitchell and Chris Harrison. Team Harrison defeated Brian’s boys 21 shots to 11. 

The second triples game was a bit closer with Gary McPhee’s team defeating Col Mudie’s, 25 shots to 18. 

Ray Jones and Marty Tighe won the first pairs game 20 shots to 10 against John Wright and John Corcoran, while Col Hayward and Wally Grant combined beautifully against Ian Simpson and John Ward winning 19 shots to 11.

On Saturday Col Mudie, John Ward and George Bradley outplayed Mal Porter, John Niddric and Bob Freeman and recorded a big win. 

The second triples game featured some of the club’s big guns in a very competitive game. Gary McPhee skipped for Tom Furey and Brian Townsend against Guy Ellery’s team of Mick Simpson and Steve ‘keno’ Turner. Team Ellery recorded a solid win, 29 shots to 13. 

Education week in the schools and, for some, an education of sorts in the District Pennants! In the Grade 4s, Canowindra demonstrated how it’s done with both Parkes teams going down. 

In the Grade 3s, the Clark shoe was on the other foot, with the Parkes teams racing away to an impressive win over Cowra. 

Thanks to Umpire Tony, ground control for your green preparation and to the score-board volunteers. Lucky Merilyn won the hamper raffle, and the 2nd prize Shiraz went Cowra’s way! 

Pennants will continue every Tuesday and Thursday during August. 

Peter McPhee bowled brilliantly to record a 25 shot to 15 win on Saturday over Nathan Reynolds to advance to the final of the 2022 Major Singles. Peter bowled the best ends of his stellar career to win in just 24 ends. Nathan held a 4-shot lead after 8 ends, but was only a spectator as Peter went up a gear and never left the jack alone. Peter will be very difficult to beat for this year’s blue ribbon event. He will play either Mick Went or Mick Simpson in the final. 

The keenly anticipated Major Singles match between Rob Irving and Mick Went lived up to expectations with both bowlers playing outstandingly at the Parkes Bowling & Sports Club. Playing against the current club champion didn’t faze Rob as he went end to end with Mick. Mick settled after the 4th end and started to win consecutive ends to take the win 25 to 15. 

One of the best Minor Pairs matches in recent memory was played with Wilbur Harris as skip for Dean Searl against Chris Harrison and Ricky Frame. The match was decided on an extra end after scores were tied up at 20 all after 21 ends. 

Wilbur and Dean started surprisingly slow, trailing 4 to 10, but regained the lead and were on track to win leading 20 to 13 after 17 ends. However, team Frame won the next 4 ends to tie the score at 20 all. The playoff end was breathtakingly brilliant as ‘Son of Frame’ held the shot in a crowded head, and survived the Harris last bowls, to claim victory by 1 shot. 

By Marty Tighe 

 

Two Minor Singles matches were played on Saturday at the Parkes Bowling & Sports Club. 

The evergreen Tony Riordan played Brian Hampton in a closely fought match in which the margin between the two was never more than 3 or 4 shots with ‘Sticks’ Hampton claiming victory 25 to 22. 

A much-anticipated Minor Singles match between Michael and Joanne saw Joanne starting off strongly and was matching Michael shot for shot. Michael took command at 13 to 5 and won the match 25 to 14.

Saturday afternoon the Minor Pairs match between John Wright and Brian Townsend against Ian Simpson and Brian Hampton was a one-sided affair after Team Townsend opened up a 12 shots to 3 lead and ran out comfortable winners 25 to 11.

Sunday afternoon saw a keenly fought Minor Singles match between Gary McPhee and Marty Tighe. The match only went for 26 ends. Marty bowled very well early and was leading 18 to 13. Leading 20 to 19 on the 24th end, Marty was holding 2 shots. Gary bowled a screamer of a on-shot to pick up the Jack, put it in the ditch and followed through to score 2 shots on that end, and won 25 to 20. 

By Marty Tighe