The first round of the open singles was played last Saturday and as usual there were some interesting results.

In the highly-anticipated clash between former champions Robert French and Robbie Stanford it was Robbie who prevailed this time winning 31/18. 

The marathon match of the round went to Peter Cross and Ben Clark who walked off the green at 5pm some three and a half hours after the starting time, with Peter just getting the nod in to win 31/27, great effort "Beaver", maybe next time. 

Other results saw Kevin Rider defeat Danny Carnevale 31/14, Aaron Hutchison used his experience and consistency to defeat Aaron Clark 31 /21 in a good quality match. 

Boppa Daley also was too consistent for Don Gibson winning comfortably 31/17, whilst the youth and practise sessions paid off for Trent Jacobson who defeated Des Lincoln 31/13. 

The same couldn't be said in the three other games where the guile of the older opponents came to the fore in their respective matches which in turn resulted in wins for Arnold Gillespie 31/28 over Bruce Maher, Steve Buttsworth 31/14 over Geoff Bohm and Don Sullivan 31/13 over Alex Sambrook.

So next weeks quarter-finals look like this; game one: Don Sullivan versus John Edwards, Aaron Hutchison versus "Puddy" Gillespie, Steve Buttsworth versus Robbie Stanford, Henry Buttsworth versus Mark Hilder, Steve Riley versus Jimmy Daley, Trent Jacobson versus Geoff Anderson, Kevin Rider versus "Boppa" Daley and Jay Stephenson versus Peter Cross.

Defeated first-round players are required to mark a match in the second round, so therefore the following gentlemen are needed for this task: Danny Carnevale, Ben Clark, Aaron Clark, Robert French, Bruce Maher, Geoff Bohm, Alex Sambrook.

Pennants

Our grade two squad under the management by Jay Stephenson had a stirring 8/2 win over Dubbo City last Sunday and whilst that win opens the door for an interesting finish, nothing short of more of the same will suffice this coming Sunday at home against West Dubbo.

Lovely to see Frenchy's rink perform as expected, but Aaron's quartet continue to struggle, but all may change next Sunday time will tell.

The squad for next week at this stage will be Mark Hilder, Steve Riley, Kevin Rider, Aaron Hutchison, Aaron Clark, Sam Crook, John Edwards, Robert French, Trent Jacobson, Henry Buttsworth, Adam Morrissey and Robbie Stanford.

Not too sure who will be the manager, but the bowls directors task there is to find someone "fit" enough to get through the strenuous trials and tribulations this squad keep throwing up.

Social bowls

Winners on the day were Mal "remote" Dawes and Danny Carnevale who scored a handy 15 points along the way to a tidy 19/12 win over Robert Bateman and Des Lincoln. 

Good to see David "Kerkow" McNair back on the green, the stick certainly helped the knees and balance.

David along with Gordon McIntyre and Clifton Harris had a tuff 22/20 win over Don Gibson, Bob Ashdown and Steve Buttsworth, whilst in the other encounter Bob Davis and Peter Cross just nudged out Geoff Bohm and Don Sullivan 20/18.

Sunday morning saw Gordon McIntyre, Robert Bateman and Bill Wilkie atop the podium courtesy of a well-crafted 13/11 win over Gordie, Betty and Kelvin.

Other results saw Barb Lincoln and David Price just get the nod over Sticker and Heather, whilst Vaughan Ellen, Bob Ashdown and Des Lincoln played a 16/16 draw with Bill West, Bob Connelly and Clifton Harris. 

Lovely to see three ladies enjoying the conditions and competition, and also good to see Bobby Connelly back on the greens.

Well not much more to report on; hope to see you up at the "Bowly" during the week.