It’s finally installed and ready to play on. Our long awaited replacement carpet promises to guide your bowls inerringly towards the jack, or maybe not – it’s up to you. We bid a not too regretful farewell to our worn, faded and quirky old carpet and look forward to bowling on a fresh looking surface that runs true. We’ve yet to receive images of the new carpet in use but our newsletter has been chronicling its installation over the last few weeks.
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Tea On The Green?
The very latest edition of our Parkers newsletter can be accessed here. Read about the upcoming tea party in support of the Cancer Council where you can say farewell to a stalwart of our club. ‘Who is that stalwart?’ you might ask – none other than our quirky fading carpet. Some might say, ‘good riddance’, but be advised, there will be no prize for the first person to say ‘I miss our old carpet’. Also in this edition is a fascinating timeline of our club’s history, an introduction to Albert and notification of a sale of succulents in the Spring. Succulents? – is that what’s been growing on our old carpet?
A Close Measure
You know it’s a close measure between two bowls when the marker can’t call it, the players can’t agree it and a string measure can’t determine it. This was what happened on the very last end of this year’s Ladies’ Singles Championship final. Sal Rayner clearly had shot but needed two for the win, while Chris Greenhatch was hoping that she held second shot in order to keep her hopes of a comeback alive. After a couple of unsuccessful attempts by the marker to measure for second shot the umpire was called. He duly arrived at the head with trammel and calipers in hand. After much careful positioning and adjustment of the measurement tools the spectators’ patience was rewarded – the closer bowl was indicated and it was Sal’s. We therefore congratulate her on becoming this year’s Ladies’ Singles Champion.
Rain Delay
Sometimes you just have to accept that bowling isn’t going to happen! The advantage of a fast-draining synthetic green, however, is that you probably won’t have to wait long before bowling is possible. This snap was taken after a deluge late on Friday afternoon and the green was perfectly usable for a pennant match the following day.
2018 Club Champion
This year’s Club Singles Championship saw a final of the highest quality played between Wayne Gill and Athi Singh. Spectators were treated to an entertaining and hard fought contest of high quality draw bowling. The win could easily have gone either way up until the very last end. Congratulations, however, go to Wayne Gill, our new Club Champion, who finally prevailed after a gripping 27 ends.
2018 Vic Open
It’s that time of the year again, when the Stellar Victorian Open causes a hiatus in pennant competition. Many members take the opportunity to enjoy a break but three of our members joined over 1800 other bowlers in entering the Vic Open, playing in both singles and pairs. Well done particularly to Jimmy on his fine run in the singles against top class opponents. He won both his sectional matches, one subsequent knockout match and was close in losing the match to determine who would progress to the last 64.
Winter Pennant Finals
Good luck on Saturday to our only Winter Pennant semifinal representatives. Side 2 have been able to secure a semifinal place as a result of 3 consecutive wins. Our Div 1 and Div 4 sides both finished in seventh place on their respective ladders and will see no finals action.
Rob Fairweather Invitational Fours
On Sunday 8th April the club hosted teams from several neighbouring clubs to participate in our longstanding invitational tournament, which was recently renamed the Rob Fairweather Invitational Fours. Once more the club excelled in its organization thanks to the efforts of numerous volunteers who ensured that the day ran smoothly. After 24 ends of highly competitive bowling the winning team turned out to be one of our own – congratulations to Sue, Norman, Bede and Wayne on their fine win.
Midweek Div 3 Semifinal
On Tuesday a cadre of supporters arrived at Elsternwick Park to barrack for our midweek second side as they sought to win promotion to division 2. Sadly, despite the much appreciated support, our side was unable to replicate their previous week’s result against the same opponents at the same venue. A determined home side pulled away after the break and secured a comfortable win. This ends our only shot at glory in either pennant competition this season. We will need to regroup and reapply ourselves in preparation for the 2018/19 season.
Sandbelt Men’s Singles
Sunday saw a host of eager bowlers descend on the club for the opening round of the Sandbelt Men’s Singles. The club’s sole competitive representative was Terry who acquitted himself very well but succumbed to world class opposition in his second match. Equally notable though was the fine job done by the club’s volunteer markers, expertly guided by event organizer Wayne. This was something a little different from their usual lawn bowls experience. There’s a markers’ manual of course, wouldn’t you know it, but more importantly a set of basic principles that a good marker will be mindful of. Apparently our volunteers adhered well to those principles and appreciation for a job well done was expressed by a number of players. Overall this was a successful, well-managed event and no doubt the club will be happy to welcome competitors back next year with a number of slightly more experienced markers ready to play their part.