BOWLS: After 10 days of brilliant bowls at Ettalong Bowling Club, the  Bowls NSW Open State Championships have come to a close. 

The Reserve Fours Championships finished off the event, and the competitors did not disappoint with Gunnedah’s team of Jo Briggs, Fred Pryor, Ella Cameron and Caleb Cameron winning their way through to the final against the Gilgandra team of Alex Milgate, Garry Raines, Dylan Marchant and Noel Raines. 

“Before the match had even started, the Gunnedah team was the pride of the town,” spokesperson Scott Thorning said.

“Not only had they played well enough to qualify for the final, but they competed with a level of spirit and enthusiasm that made their matches a pleasure to watch.” 

Gilgandra jumped out to a 7-2 lead and maintained a decent buffer throughout the match. At the 14-end mark they were 16-6 in front and forcing Gunnedah to manufacture multiples to stay in touch. 

“Unfortunately for Gunnedah, their attempts to keep pace with Gilgandra didn’t work out, with Gilgandra running away 24-9 victors,” Thorning said.

“Despite the loss, it was a championship to remember for the Gunnedah players who incredibly had four members from the same family competing – Skip Caleb Cameron had his sister Ella at third,

Uncle Fred at second and mum Jo leading. 

“It is fantastic to see the team making the most of the open championship format and turning the event into a family affair.”

The weekend saw the club host the monthly Cash Skins Bonanza Day with 28 players taking to the green.

Winners Cain Eather and John Clark picked up $90 each, winning three ends in the final, with Mike Szabo and Scott Thorning collecting $60 each after winning two ends in the final. In third place,

Chase Hubbard and Lou Flett claimed $80 each winning four ends in the play-off, with Graham Penny and Mick Hull in fourth place handed $20 each after winning one end in the playoff. The next Skins

Day will be on Sunday, June 26, and officials are hoping to see good numbers on the green again in a month’s time.

On the weekend the club hosted a section of the BPL cup with five teams entered for the event. The winners from the day were Scott Thorning, Paul Lodge and Tim Thorning who will now progress to the regional play-offs at a venue and date to be advised.

Nominations are now on both notice boards for the major and minor singles with the minor singles starting on June 11-12 and the major singles from June 18-19. Both events will be played on stand-alone weekends and the ‘play, sub or forfeit’ rule will be enforced. Nomination sheets are on both notice boards and members are urged to nominate as soon as possible or run the risk of missing out.

Nomination sheets on both notice boards for an expression of interest for the men’s pennants from August 13 to September 24. 

Congratulations go to Tim Thorning and Ella Cameron on being selected in the NSW junior trials. 

Both players were chosen in the squad of 12 with eight players to be picked to play a test against Queensland later in the year. The club wishes both players all the best at the selection trials.

Upcoming events, June 5: Sunday social meat tray bowls 9.30am. Wednesday, June 8: Millionaire bowls 9.30am.  June 11: Minor singles. June 12: Minor singles continue and Sunday meat tray bowls. No matches scheduled this week. 

 

To order photos from this page click here