Playing Ditch Weight

The main focus of bowls for the past week was on the NSW Greenkeepers Championships being held at our club this year. The 36 players taking part were involved in games for four days.

The very cool gusty winds, particularly on the first three days, made for difficult playing conditions. In addition to the Championship events 24 of the greenkeepers were involved in a Pennant style event against 24 local players on Wednesday afternoon.

Play throughout the Championships was of a high standard because besides being greenkeepers there were players involved who were winners of Bowls NSW Championships in State Pairs, Champion of Champion Club Singles and Champion of Club Champions Pairs.

The two semi–finals of the Pairs Championship featured some exceptional play and an extra end was needed in one of the games when the score was 21–all after the standard 21 ends.

The Pairs Championship was won by Ben Morthorpe and Jayden Gebbie who both play Grade 1 Pennants for Cabramatta. Ben also won the Singles title when he defeated Jayden in the final.

Special thanks to everyone who helped make this event a memorable one for the visiting players. To Damien and Mitch who worked very hard during the past weeks to provide quality greens.

To the club members who assisted with marking and umpiring and to the 24 players who were involved in the games against the greenkeepers on Wednesday afternoon. Thanks also to Anthony and the catering staff and to all the members of the bar staff – the visitors were very appreciative of your efforts.

There were just 10 players on Thursday afternoon with quite a number of the usual players watching the final of the Greenkeepers Singles. Phil Taylor and Glen Benson won the vouchers with a margin of 7 shots and Tony Oyston, Albert Carter and Austin Crampton won their game by 6 shots.

There is information on the notice board concerning the following Club Championship events to be held during the next few weeks: Men’s Minor Singles, Men’s Minor Pairs and Club Mixed Pairs.

For each event there are details of the closing dates for entries, how to complete your entries and when the first games will be played. Players who are interested in playing in these events should make sure they have checked these details before making their entries.

Flyers about the Men’s Pairs Tournament to be played at the club on 25th and 26th May are on the notice board and also on tables in the club.

The new Riverina–Murray Region Committee has called for Expressions of Interest in being on the new sub–committees and the details are on the notice board.

The Women’s Division 3 Pennant side will be contesting the State Finals at Ballina next week. Their first game is scheduled for Tuesday 21st May and our club members wish them well in this prestige event.

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