1 MARCH

It was a hot and humid day for bowls at Tea Gardens Men’s Bowling Club, but 48 players braved the conditions to contest the usual Wednesday gala completion and to celebrate the annual start to the footy season.

The morning game was decided by the “Highest winning margin” and with a margin of 17 Bill Heylbut, Dave Ransome, John Parkinson, and Bruce Murray were the winners.

The afternoon game was decided by the “Highest winning score” and Rob Young, Doug Andrews, Dave Perry, and Peter Gurney were the winners with a score of 26.

The Garden Eatery voucher was won by Merv Mills. Our thanks to the Garden Eatery for their support of this voucher.

4 March

The second round of the “open gender” Pennants was held today with the First National sponsored Grade 5 side taking on Karuah at home.

It was, as expected a close contest with Tea Gardens losing two matches and having to rely on the
margin of the third to win the Master Bard by just two shots.

The final score, Tea Gardens 57, Karuah 55.

The First National grade 6 side were not so lucky at New Lambton.

My sources tell me that they were out bowled by the opposition, losing the match 37-59.

Grade 7 travelled to Hexham with some trepidation as they had not played on a grass surface for three months and the pace of the green was expected to be slow.

Two teams struggled with their line and length early in the game and the early indications were that they were in for a hiding.

It was late in the game that Tea Gardens hit the front with two teams winning and the third team mounting a huge comeback.

Lynda Richards was in that team and played an outstanding game to be voted the Most Valuable Player.
Well done, Lynda!

Grade 7 won the Board 67-61.

All grades have now experienced one win and one loss each.

Next week, Grade 5 play away at Beresfield, Grade 6 play Karuah at home and Grade 7 are also home to East Maitland.

5 March

The final of the Club Championship Minor Pairs was played today with the team of John Moore and Roman Bondaruk playing Tony Butler and Rick Islaub.

Rick and Tony established an early lead but at the halfway mark only one shot separated the two teams.

It was a game dominated by narrow side play and longer than normal ends.

One had the feeling that if the play had been a little more creative and varied the outcome may have been different.

In the second half, John and Roman were playing more consistently and their experience started to show with some nice precision bowling.

They claimed the title with a 9-shot margin 25-16.

Congratulations to them, runners-up, Rick, and Tony and indeed all those that participated.

In other news.

Nominations are being called for the Club Championship Minor Singles with the first game scheduled for 29 March.

All new players are encouraged to enter this event as the experience gained will be invaluable.

By John SLATER