District triples: The Forbes team of Brian Asimus, Greg Gunn and Scott Andrews nailed their colours to the mast with a very good win in the District Triples played at our Club over the weekend.

On Saturday morning in the first round they had a good 27-14 win against T Hetherington, M Valentine and J Corcoran of Parkes Railway. In the second round they had a close 21-18 win over S Ryan, T Furey and G Carberry of Parkes Town. On Sunday morning they continued to play very consistent bowls with a 27-21 defeat of the Parkes Railway team of G Leonard, M Furney and L Hetherington.

Coming up against a very good Parkes Town side of G Barby, C Mudie and C Hayward, the local team played outstanding bowls, never letting the Parkes team into the game, winning the final 29-16. Congratulations, Zone play-offs next.

Semi final, major fours – The first of the Major Fours was played on Friday morning. Scott ‘Scooter’ Andrews started off his weekend in good fashion when he steered his team of John Stringer (sub) Brian Asimus and Russell Dietrich to a 23–17 win against John Baass, Don Craft, Bruce Williams and Geoff Williams. Scooter team play the more consistent bowls.

From the fifth end Geoff’s team sat on six shots for eight ends giving Scooters team time to gather a very good lead which they never relinquished.

Wednesday at One: A record roll up of twenty four keen Learners and Legends turned up last Wednesday at One. I’m thinking to myself we must be doing something right to have all these players turn up for a social game!

We have no prizes, we have no snacks or giveaways just the promise of a great Christmas Party on December 13, which we are all paying for ourselves.

Ernie Egan put it succinctly, “We just turn up for a good afternoon of social bowls with a lot of mates”. Thanks Ernie. Please remember to invite a new learner whenever you get the chance.

We had Brian Tisdell and Bill Looney with a 19:10 win over Mel Sinclair and Trevor Curry. Thanks for coaching during this match Brian and I believe Mel gave you some tips too, well done Mel. Barry Wright and Ernie Egan came through in the last few ends to win by 16:12 from Rob Priest and Kerry Dunstan. Ernie sure can handle those short ends.

Ray Dunstan and Sid Morris handed in a winning card of 19:12 against Scott McKellar and Peter Greenhalgh. The two Johns, Kennedy and Cutler finished well after a couple of big ends to have a 22:12 against legend Col Breaden and evergreen Fred Vogelsang.

Peter Mackay and John Gorton flew home after eleven all, to win by 19:11 against Alf Davies and Mick Flash Ryan. Bobby Grant and Jim MALOY played well to have a 21:16 win from Cliff Nelson and Barry Shine. What a great afternoon in perfect conditions.

Our Wednesday learners have graduated and are welcome to play in any other matches, Thursday afternoons, Sunday mornings and Club Championships. So feel free to put your name in whenever you want. Full membership is required to play Club Championships and just $50 will cover you till June 30.

Thursday afternoon: Thursday afternoon bowlers turned out in style for four hard fought matches. John Baass and Scott McKellar brought home the bacon with a 23:17 win against Peter Mackay and Bill Looney. Viv Russell and Cliff Nelson at 28:15 withheld late charge from Lyall Strudwick and Merv Langfield. Griffo and Alf Davies showed their style and won by 26:14 against Al Phillips and Bobby Grant.

Then Allan Hilder and Pete Brogan showed no mercy with a 39:13 win from G Mowbray and Ken Lincoln. Congratulations to all the winners, but then everyone is a winner on Thursday afternoon.

Men of League – What as great day last Sunday for the Men of League Charity Bowls Day. 90 bowlers of all ages took to the greens for a most enjoyable family day of bowls.

A highlight of the afternoon was a talk by former Parramatta Great Neville Glover.  At the time of doing the notes the amount raised was not known but the Men of League Committee will be donating part of the proceedings to the local Men’s Prostate Awareness Group. (This group meets at the club on the third Tuesday of the month at 6pm)

The morning winners were Peter, Anne and Sam Mackay with the runners up being John Bentick, Dan Tisdell and Clive Herbert. The afternoon winners were Wayne, Scott and John Burton and the runners up being J Wark, K Wark and T Wark. Overall winners on the day were Darryl Griffiths, Peter Tisdell and Andrew Burns. The overall runners up were Tony Bratton, Glen Kearney and Fred Vogelsang.

Congratulations to all those persons having a hand in organising and running the day. Give yourselves a pat on the back, well done. A further thank you must go the sponsors of the day, without whose help the day would not be possible.

Friday night bowls: sponsored by Gunn’s Menswear and Embroidery. There was another big rollup for a very enjoyable night. The winning rink went to Tyre Power who had some help from visitors Lachley Wark and grandson Bernie Wark from Dubbo. They defeated Wrights and Wrongs by 22:11 even after the help of Scotty McKellar and Gunna Williams.

The losing rink went to the Divas who enlisted the help of John Kennedy they were defeated 17:8 by HE Silos. Bedgerebong 1; Ian Simmons, Ross Williams and Michael Hohnberg (Rooster) Played too well 19:9 against Priests 1; Paul Doust, Rob Priest and Vince Toohey. Jacko, Ron Thurlow and Dan Cassidy had a 16:11 win from the 3 Amigos. Bobby Grant, Bill Scott and Wayne Burton won by 13:10 from MG. Gem won by 25:12 against Bedgerebong 2. It’s on again tonight. See you there.

Pennants practice: There will be a practice for both grades of Penants at the club on Sunday at 1pm. Dress is full club uniform. If you are not able to attend please let your skipper know.

by Wendy Burns

Heard Skip Squirt tell his team to pull their socks up, so two of them looked down at their feet and said we haven’t got socks on.

Squirt was trying so hard to beat Wise One’s team but it wasn’t to be, and he was like a little boy lost. Kinsley was bowling really well, but Squirt said come on son, Wise One heard this and said the sun is coming in. It was too and getting in players eyes but we all managed to bowl okay. Dizzy Lizzie played good bowls all night, and Blossom was giving lots of cheek but still bowled some good shots. Possum was injured so was struggling a bit so wasn’t much good to her team.

Winners were Wayne Downes, Liz England, Wendy Burns and Ian Charles with 14 points. Runners up were Kinsley, Connie Skinner and John Read with 11 points.

Bowls Monday nights- names in by 6pm for a 6:15pm start. Anyone who would like a game is most welcome to join us.

by Heather Davidson

Ladies Golf is about to get under way for 2017 at the Forbes Golf Course and here’s hoping for a less disrupted year for the organisers. Although many players have been playing through the off season the first official round for this year is Wednesday March 1st. This will be a stableford competition sponsored by Blush Organic Beauty in 1 Division. It will also see the commencement of eclectics, birdies and gobbles competition for Wednesdays. Cards for this week will be Julie Hurkett and Fleur Wells.

Saturday March 4 also sees the official commencement of ladies’ weekend competition with an 18 hole stroke competition sponsored by Bown’s Sportspower in 1 Division. It is also the first round of the Golf NSW Medal as well as the start of weekend eclectics, birdies and gobbles. Cards will be Jill Cripps.

It was great to see a good turnout of 13 players in the Par 3 Championships held last Saturday. Winner was Ethel Coombs 37 ¼ and runner-up Robin Lyell 38 ¼ in the handicap while Julie Hurkett won the scratch event with 63.

For those wishing to participate in the Shoot-out and the Golf NSW Medal the cost will be $6 per event. Someone will start collecting money for these two events on Wednesday. For the Golf NSW Medal you have the choice of either Wednesday or Saturday. With the weather being a little cooler it is hoped most lady golfers will be able to make it out onto the course next week. Good golfing.