Tea Gardens Men’s Bowling Club
By The JAFFA

30 MARCH: In a fine, warm and windy day, the usual Wednesday Nominated Triples competition took on a different format today with players turning out in the colours of their favourite football team.
Most supported clubs in the NRL competition but there were some supporting Rugby and Soccer as well.
I noticed Wallaby and All-Black shirts and one player in particular caught my eye in a fetching black number, supposedly supporting the Rabbitoes but looking very much like the New Zealand ladies basketball team, the Silver Ferns!

Cock-of-the-walk though has to go to evergreen Tiger supporter, Daryl Martin, who had on the full Tiger’s regalia.
Scores for the day were very respectable with Vic Garlick, Col Fossey and Bill Heylbut taking third place with +22.
In second place, on +28 were Henk Faber, Col Amos and David Rimmer.
Taking home the money in first place on +31 were; Warren Gooley, Graeme Watkins and Noel Jackson. Well done!
In Round 6 of the Newcastle District Mid-Week Pennant competition, the Pelican Pest Control Mighty Dolphins Grade 4 team played host today to a side from Hamilton North.
The Dolphins were out seeking revenge for the “touch-up” they were given by Hamilton North in an early round on a lifeless green at their Club.
Revenge was sweet with the Dolphins giving them a taste of what they can do on a quick synthetic green.
Tea Gardens won two of the three matches with the Sean Mearrick combination running riot winning 32-9 and Danny Johnson side also winning handsomely 27-12.
The remaining game was hard-fought with Richard Lee’s team going down 11-22.
Overall a very satisfying day with the Master Board reading Tea Gardens 70, Hamilton North 43.
Tea Gardens are currently in second place in the competition.
They next play Fingal Bay at Fingal Bay.
1 April: In beautiful sunshine, a terrific field of 24 bowlers contested the Friday Jackpot Pairs today.
Despite Henk Faber and Terry Eyles having a great +21 win with the highest margin, the actual winner was the team on the lowest margin, Bill Haylbut and Luke Gliwa. They had +3.
Six teams contested the Jackpot draw however it was not won.
2 April: Round 4 of the Newcastle District Pennant competition was played today with the Pelican Pest Control Dolphins Grade 4 and Grade 6 sides competing at home.
Grade 3 played away at Adamstown and Grade 7 travelled to Nelson Bay.
The away games are always going to be tough with home sides enjoying conditions they are very familiar with. Such was the case today with the Dolphins Grade 3 side losing at Adamstown 52-62 and the Dolphins Grade 7 side being defeated at Nelson Bay 43-74.
In the home games; Grade 4 lost to Mayfield 54-77 and the one saving grace for the day was a great win to the Dolphins Grade 6 side defeating Bar Beach 73-51.
A highlight of this game was the wins by the Dave Austin four, winning their match 40-11, and the Doug Naylor team winning 26-11.
Round 5 will see Grade 3 play away at Nelson Bay, Grade 4 will play Karuah at home, Grade 6 will play Tomago at home and Grade 7 will play away at Fingal Bay.
3 April: In Sunday Introduction to Bowls, 26 players enjoyed the friendship and the fun with Kingsley Jolliffe, Harry Hauben and Dennis Wilberforce the winners on the day.
The “lucky losers” were Kathy Stone, Lynda Richards and Stewart Sturrock.
Thank you to the coach, Kathy Rimmer and cooks, John McJannett and Barry Goode.

The first round of the Club Major Pairs was played today with a great field of 16 teams competing for the title with play taking place on both greens .
There are some “crack” teams entered this year so the competition will get fierce as it continues over the weeks ahead.
The first round winners were Col Amos and Dave Rimmer defeated Anthony Grant and Terry Munright 28-23.
Ron Webster and Barry Drayton had a comfortable win over Ken McKeown and Mark Nightingale 32-6.
Jeff Baker and Steve Pell had too many guns for Stewart Sturrock and John Bywater winning 44-4.
Ross Barry and Merv Mills defeated Noel Jackson and Keith Smith 22-9.
Paul Syron and Ben Brown were too strong for Neil Kibble and Dennis Ashbridge, winning 26-8.
Bob Skewes and Bill Thrift managed a narrow win over David Garcia and Bob Weir, 17-15.
Sean Mearrick and Richard Lee defeated Peter Gurney and Leigh Hunt, 31-9 and Daryl Martin and Ron James won 33-9 over Vic Garlick and Henk Faber.
The next round will be played next Sunday, 10 April with what promises to be some very entertaining bowls.