Hello Bowlers,

The Bowlo was “pumping” yesterday,
34 bowlers, 3 triples finals, 60+ people at a birthday party under the sail, 24+ barefooters on green 3, and a “set-up” underway inside for an awards ceremony with 150+ attendees.
All action!

Your Club.

I discovered another fantastic community service our club is hosting in recent times. You know about our blind bowlers: inspiring! You know about the quarterly market day on the front green introduced in 2022: Fabulous! You know about our “Roll Back the Clock” sessions: Awsome!
Well here is something you may not know.
Daniel is in his early 20’s and is a resident in Maurie and Carol’s building. Daniel has Cerebral Palsy, and told Maurie he would like to learn lawn bowls. Daniel has fairly restricted movement. Of course Maurie spoke to Dennis, who agreed to give Daniel a go. Three lessons down and Daniel loves bowls and always has a smile on his face during each lesson , with his career in attendance. It gets better.
Somehow, the mother of a young women, India, saw Dennis coaching Daniel, approached him, and asked if he would consider coaching India, who also has Cerebral Palsy. India is slightly less restricted than Daniel and has an hour session with Dennis immediately after Daniel. Amazing.
Two members whose kindness and generosity, who project our little club within the community in an entirely favourable light. If you happen to be around the club on a Tuesday, look out for Daniel and India, and say hello.

Triples
Two QF’s and one Semi Final were completed yesterday.

On rink 2, the Rushtons and Michael Curley took on the Hall sandwich- Mick, Lachlan and Pops. Marilyn, John and Michael were in superb form to ultimately leave Mick and co, as the well and truly “toasted” sandwich. Never in danger, ruthlessly precise, they led all the way to ultimately prevail 20/10.

On rink 3, last week’ s player of the week Bob Abbott, set about resuming where he left off, regularly surrounding the jack. While Bob performed very well again, on this day, he was to be bested. Emulating Bob from last week, Sue Bryan exerted huge pressure for the entire 21 ends. With Maurie mopping up when necessary, which is his standard game these days, and Richard Bryan playing a brilliant skips match, they fought their way to a slim 16/15 lead after 19 ends. At that point, the pressure told on Bob, Dave Penny and Mick Fisher, who eventually exited the competition with a 15/20 loss.

Over rink 4, a heavyweight hit-out was taking place. The “ dream team” of Martin Standring, Nigel Berridge, and Cath Mazey, flew out of the blocks to lead 19/13 after 16 ends. Martin was on fire, Nigel was drawing as though his life depended on it, and Cath was doing everything required of a skip, either adding or mopping up. As well, a goodly proportion of the large crowd, was baying for Cath and co on every end. However, Manus McFadyen, John Donlan and Geoff Hannigan were up for a fight. Under enormous pressure, and using their experience from the recent Minor Singles final, Manus and John, ably supported by Geoff, mounted a comeback. Superb pressure Bowling over the final 5 ends saw them out score their opponents 9/1, to run out winners 24/20 overall and be first to qualify for the final, which will be played February 4 weather permitting.

John Rushton.
Just in case not all of you are aware, John Rushton enters hospital tomorrow to have his knee replaced, having originally injured it when he and Marilyn were caught up in the 2004 Phuket Tsunami. Of course, John is hoping for a successful outcome, and so are we, so good luck John. We, hope to see you back on deck in your new Bowls Secretary role around mid-February.
Interestingly, the op means John cannot play in next weeks Semi Final, and, should they qualify, the final. Not to worry though, as Marilyn will ably step up to skip, and John, rumour has it, will be subbed by Steve Edmead.
What a match that will be against Sue, Maurie and Richard, who are primed for another outstanding, giant-killing performance.

Cheers
John