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.