By PAUL LEWIN
Railway bowls
Welcome back to our first bowls news of the new year! We hope everyone had a safe, happy and healthy new year!
Social bowls have been going strong with numbers up across all bowls days, although last week dropped off a bit after Elvis left the building, so thank you, thank you very much!
We had 16 energetic bowlers try out the main green after the recent renos on Wednesday, January 15 for social bowls.
Winners were tied on 14+10, so they split first and second between them.
Rob Hill, John Taylor and Mick Furney in the triples and Gene Rapp and Junior Thorne in the Pairs.
Marble 6 came out and the Margins were 6, 10 and 10. The jackpot this week is at a massive $652.
The Parkes Services Club Power Play Pairs returned on Thursday, January 16.
Weekly winners were High Rollers, Rhinos and SUC. Leaving the Rhinos on top of the ladder on 24 points, with the High Rollers close behind on 21 points.
Saturday, January 18 we hosted the finals of the Region Singles but we squeezed in a social game for the crazy volunteers. Winners were Junior Thorne and Rob Hill winning 11+9. Runners-up were Geoff Leonard and Dave Ford winning 8+4.
Mid West Region Singles Finals
Over the weekend we had the privilege of hosting the Finals of the Mid West Region Singles.
Our best performed bowler was the great green keeper Juicy Daley in the Men’s State Open Singles going down narrowly in a cracking game of bowls against Adam Favell from Wallerawang.
Adam lost to Richard Clarke in the next round, who went on to win the Final against Brad Lamont. Well done to all involved, there were some amazing bowls bowled.
Our bar tender and Condobolin's up and coming bowler Danielle Thompson stole the show winning her spot at the State Championships in Ballina in April. Danielle bowled beautifully to win the Final over Michelle Harkin from Dubbo City. Congratulations Danielle and good luck in Ballina.
New bowler Rob Hill got out to a lead in the Reserve Singles but got nailed late by Adam Simpson from Orange City, who went on to win his way to Ballina. Well done Rob, what a great experience in your first year bowling.
The board would like to thank Tony Latter and Mick Furney for umpiring both days and all of our wonderful markers that generously volunteered their time to help the bowlers enjoy their days.
Club Championships
In the Major Singles Mikey Hackett took on Shane Hodge. Shane led early 8-1 after 5 ends. Hackett fought back to 8-5 after 9 ends but Shane stayed strong winning 25-6.
In the Minor Singles we had Andrew Trotman play Tony Latter. Latts won the first end with a single and Trot kicked out to an 11-1 lead after 5 ends.
Trot kept it going leading 22-4 after 13 ends. Latts fired up but Trot finished it off winning 25-10.
In the Major Pairs we had Marty Fitzpatrick and Dave Ford play Gene Rapp and Junior Thorne.
Gene and Junior hit the green running leading 6 nil after 4 ends.
Marty and Dave got back to 6 all after 9 ends. 7 all after 11 and Marty and Dave led 14-12 after 15 ends.
Gene and Junior grab the lead back 17-14 after 17 ends but Marty and Dave wouldn’t have any of that closing out the game solidly to win 21-17.
In more Major Pairs Pissy Peisley and Jake Brown played Clive Stibbard and Paul Townsend.
Clive and Paul led 9-1 after 6 ends and 14-5 after 12 ends. Pissy and Jake pick up a 3 but Clive and Paul went on to win 28-8 after 17 ends.
In more Major Pairs action we had Ben McNaughton and Mick Furney play Greg Howlett and Tony Latter.
Greg and Latts won the first end with a single but Benny and Mick went mad leading 9-1 after 6 ends and 19-3 after 9 ends. Greg and Latts tried hard but the game was called after 17 ends with a win to Benny and Mick 23-11.
In the Minor Pairs we had Ash Kirwan and Mike Valentine play Myra Townsend and Tony Latter. Myra and Latts led 4-1 after 4 ends.
Ash and Mike got it back to 4 all after 6 ends. Ash and Mike led 9-6 after 10 ends and Myra and Latts got it back to 9 all the next end.
Ash and Mike lead 13-12 after 15 ends. Myra and Latts lead 19-13 after 18 ends and go on with it to win 20-17.
In the Club Triples Mick Hackett, Mick Furney and Tony Bright played Dale McGlone, Frank Van Opynen and Paul Kirwan. Team Kirwan led 2-1 after 2 ends.
Team Bright led 6-5 after 6 ends before they strung 10 ends together to blow the score out to 28-5 after 16 ends and went on to win the game 32-13 after 23 ends.
In the Club Fours we saw Tommy Davis, Tory Moon, Michael Hackett and Toby Tanks take on Frank Van Opynen, Rob Hill, Paul Kirwan and Joey Van Opynen.
Team Joey led 7-1 after 3 ends and 9-3 after 7 ends.
Team Joey went on to win the game 20-9 after 17 ends.
Australia Day
The Chris Dunn Memorial Australia Day Triples is on Sunday, January 26 at 10am.
$20 per person, team or single entries, barbecue lunch, best dressed prizes, cash prizes and a guaranteed fun day with lots of laugh, while we celebrate our mate and Australia Day.
Heartfelt thanks to Chris’ family for their wonderful support.
This week we the Parkes Services Club’s Power Play Pairs on Thursday, January 23 at 6pm.
Social bowls on Saturday, January 25 at 1pm and The Chris Dunn Memorial Australia Day Triples on Australia Day Sunday, January 26 at 10am. As always names in half an hour before start times, everyone is welcome and quality new loan bowls are available at the club.
For those interested in having a roll at bowls, please note the following. Social bowls means anyone and everyone is welcome to come have a game.
If it’s your first time this is where you start. Just come to the club on the desired day at least 45 minutes prior to the advertised start times and see one of our dedicated volunteers and we will assist with getting you sorted and some bowls and point you in the right direction.
Social bowls is competitive without being too serious. Players generally use this time as practice. We have some experienced bowlers that are always happy to play with and help new learning bowlers.
We have our Thursday Evening Barefoot Twilight Bowls going now, that is a great way to start and learn the game. Please feel free to call in to the club at anytime to have a chat.
Punters Club
The Quickshine Punters Club is up and running please check the board at the club for full details or contact Benny Mac.
New format and new ideas makes this the best punters club going, with different entry fees for different budgets.
Get your names in before you miss out.
In the Club on Friday, January 24 we have happy hour 5-7pm, meat tray raffles, badge draw ($200), joker draw ($2700) and the bistro serving up their amazing meals from 6pm.
See you at the Railway! Toot Toot!