Gary McPhee (left) with Marthy Tighe. Gary played two extraordinary bowls shots to draw the minor pairs match on the final end, and then win the match on the extra deciding end.
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