The Swanettes won by just two points, taking the game 26 to 24 whilst Warren 24 claimed second position on the ladder with a 24 to 6 win over Trangie at Trangie.

The remaining league tag contest was played at Gilgandra and it saw an incredible finish with the Gilgandra Pink Panther’s Kaitlyn Brown scoring two tries in the final two minutes.

This give her side a 16 to six win over Baradine after the game seem destined for a six all draw which may have been an appropriate result given the fine effort put in by the Baradine team.

At the same venue the Panthers rugby league side continued on their winning way, seeing off the fourth placed Magpies 62 to six, scoring 12 tries in the process and further reducing their odds for back to back premierships.

The Dunedoo Swans slender chance of sneaking into the semi finals evaporated when they went down 38 to 20 to the visiting Coonamble Bears and at Coolah the home side was defeated 58 to 16 by the Gulgong Terriers.

Attention now swings to the minor semi finals which will be played at Gulgong this Saturday, featuring Gilgandra and Baradine in the Youth League followed by Gilgandra and Coonamble in league tag and Gulgong taking on Baradine in the senior league.

The league tag contest could well be an even one, with little between the two sides. Previous matches between the two sides has seen victory going to the host club, with Coonamble winning 22 to 12 at Coonamble in Round 2, whilst in round 11 Gilgandra took the honours 20 to 16 in at Panther Park.

On paper the Gulgong Terriers might seem to have the upper hand in the senior rugby league fixture having won both the previous encounters, registering a 50 to 12 victory in round one and then just getting away with a 20 to 18 win at Baradine in round 10

However the Magpies have been the big improvers as the season has wore on, and despite their sizeable loss to the Gilgandra Panthers last Saturday, they are not the only club to have suffered such a defeat, and they will be keen to show their capabilities, armed with the knowledge that there was little between the two sides the last time they met.

All the minor semi final action will get under way at Gulgong’s Billy Dunn Oval at 12pm with the kick off for the Youth League game between Gilgandra and Baradine.

Christie and Hood Castlereagh League round 18 scores.

Youth League

Gilgandra 25 defeated Baradine 0.

Competition Ladder

Coonabarabran 22, Gulgong 20, Gilgandra 18, Baradine 12.

League Tag

Gilgandra 16 (Kaitlyn Brown 2, Jamie Sutherland tries, Shian Chatfield 2 goals) defeated Baradine 6 (Haylee Dunn try, Lauren Green goal).

Dunedoo 26 (Georgia Lane 2, Kylee Callow, Lucy Guan, Gabrielle Lane tries, Channy  Burgess 3 goals) defeated Coonamble 24 (Tori Canham 2, Emily Ryan 2, Canham 4 goals).

Warren 24 (Christie Chapman 2, Karen Harris 2, Meaghan Seymour, Katie Poidevan  tries) defeated Trangie 6 (Lakeisha Hull try, Tegan Hamilton goal).

Final competition table;

Dunedoo 32, Warren 30, Gilgandra 29, Coonamble 26, Baradine 21, Coonabarabran 16, Trangie 14, Gulgong 8.

Rugby League

Gilgandra 62 (George Alchin 2, Jamie Towney 2, Curtis Carr, Evan Ryan, Josh Nixon, Rorey Milgate, Luke Ritchie, Adam Hazelton, Owen Batten, Daniel Pracy tries, Brandon Hammond 7 goals) defeated Baradine 6 (Travis Houghton try, Anthony Harris goal).

Coonamble 38 (Marshall Williams 2, Derek Robinson, Josh Gershon, Adam Cohen, Aaron West, Nathan Walker tries, Jake Fernando 5 goals) defeated Dunedoo 20 (Kerrin O’Malley 2, Josh Flippo, Blake Taufa tries, Dan Lane 2 goals).

Gulgong 58 defeated Coolah 16.

Coonabarabran bye.

Final competition table:

Gilgandra 36, Coonamble 28, Gulgong 26 Baradine 22, Dunedoo 20, Coonabarabran 19, Trangie 17, Coolah 8

Next Saturday, August 19 minor semi finals at Gulgong.

12pm Youth League, Gilgandra versus Baradine followed by League Tag Gilgandra versus Coonamble, Senior League Gulgong versus Baradine.

Saturday, August 26 the major semis will be played at Gilgandra.

12pm Youth League; Gulgong versus Coonabarabran. League tag Dunedoo versus Warren, Senior League, Gilgandra versus Coonamble.

Two great games in the B grade singles highlighted a busy week of bowls action, and hopefully this coming weekend will see more of the same.

First to those “B” grade Singles confrontations which saw “Rabz” Macqueen win a marathon 39 end match against Geoffrey Anderson 31/24.

Marker Danny Carnevale even noted on his score card a very entertaining game, and the window tappers certainly got their monies worth as well.

So “Rabz” is through to the Final where his opponent will be Ben Clark, who also had an enthralling battle against Codey Anning before “eeking” out a very hard fought 31/29 Result.

Most Pundits had the “Beaver” over the line, but Codey has been playing excellent bowls of late and last Sunday saw more of the same.

The usual slow start by Codey saw him behind 06/13 after teb ends, but a terrific dozen ends later had the match in his favour 20/17 and from this point onwards it was game on.

Codey managed to edge out to a real handy 28/24 lead but just couldn’t get those last couple of shots in the bag.

So when Ben won three ends in a row and got in front 29/28, it was just a case of who got the lucky breaks the last couple of ends and this time around Ben’s experience proved the telling point, and allowed him to go on and win 31/29. 

So as I said at the beginning two terrific matches and a great final to look forward to next week.

Whilst all this was happening on our home turf, Robbie Stanford was playing in the district Champions of Champions event at Dubbo City.

To date Robbie has had a stellar year and last weekend proved to be more of the same as he won both his matches on Saturday to advance to the final, where his opponent will be West Dubbo Champion Joshua Andriske. This final will now be played on Sunday, August 27 and we wish him all the best.

Next weekend also sees Robbie compete in the Zone triples Championships. Hosted by Coonabarabran. Robbie along with teammates Aaron Clark and Sam Crook will represent the Far West District and again we wish them happy hunting.

Along with the final of the B grade singles, next Saturday at home. We also have the final of the A Grade pairs championships with Jeff Schloeffel and Don Sullivan up against Alex Sambrook and Mark Hilder.

Social Bowls this week saw better fields along with the warmer weather, made for an enjoyable day in the sun for those having a roll.

Thursday’s winners were the trio of Des Lincoln, Adam Jermyn and Terry McDonald, whilst the runners up cheque went to Peter Kelly and Danny Carnevale.

Sunday’s social bowls saw some 18 keen chaps and lassies take to the green with Bill West, Heather McIntyre and Sam Crook getting the lion’s share of the loot on offer. Just a shot back in second spot were the trio of Kerry Martin, Clifton Harris and Glen Miller.

Nominations for the B grade Triples go up this week. Gub Thorne Day is just around the corner, Saturday, August 26 and with only a couple of spots left, is almost assured to be another great day.

The time honoured “Fino” day has been gazetted for Saturday, September 16 and already a couple of sides have posted their nominations.

So with it all happening, I hope you can find time to come along and watch or play some Bowls, I know I’m hoping to do so either this week or next, and with the weather getting nicer, who knows it could happen sooner rather than later.

Wednesday, August 9 a very warm winter’s morning saw 15 players’ contest second and final round of Burgess Cup and 16 players Marie Bishop’s kindly donated Trophy.

Burgess Cup winner (Trophy delivered Presentation Night) was Wendy Jeffery with 142 Stableford points and Runner up was Susie Richardson with 146 points (a massive effort). Marie Bishop Trophy and A grade were won by Vicki Gainsford 68 nett. B/C grade was won by Carole Paddison 69 nett.

Optional Ball winners; first Sue Richardson 72 nett, second Peta Ferrari 73 nett, third Marj Kelly 73 nett winning on a count from Wendy Jeffery 73 nett.

Nearest pin, ninth Heather Bootle, 17th Vicki Gainsford. Drawn card went to Terese Haley who also won the Marie bishop Raffle.

August 12 a perfect warm winter afternoon, saw a very pleasing field of 15 players contest 5th round of Monthly Medal. A grade medal winner was Michelle Ashdown with a splendid 67 nett. B/C grade medal winner was Bev Woods 70 nett.

First optional ball winner went to Wendy Jeffery 71 nett, second opp ball went to Heather Bootle 72 nett winning on a count back from Betty Green and Robyn Jones both 72 nett. Nearest pin winners, ninth Loyalty Roberts, 17th Wendy (Eagle Eye) Jeffery.

Today will see Round 1 Foursomes Championships and that will be followed by a committee meeting. Friday, August 18 Gail White and Dale Harding will travel to Parkes for WDLGA Four ball final and back up team of Heather Bootle and Robyn Jones we wish them all the very best.

Saturday, August 19 Stableford event with Neta Edson’s kindly donated Trophy. Mixed Foursomes Championships of 36 holes will take place August 20. The second and final round of Ladies Foursomes will take place August 23.

August 26 4BBB drawn partners and opponents mixed draw with Anne Harmer and Jeanette Redden’s Trophy.

Please keep in mind that our Open Tournament is on 30th September. The Committee and Captain would like as many Lady Members as possible to play in such.

Ladies please note some Program changes, September 6 WDLGA Spoon. Round 6 Monthly Medal changed to September 20. October 11 Round 3 Narromine Bowl with Pat Mitchell’s Trophy and Putting comp with Joyce McCutcheon’s Trophy ALL DAY.  October 25 Stroke event mixed draw with Sue McCutcheon’s Trophy.

Weekly Ponder: Imagination is the highest kite one can fly!

Granny Golfing Guru

Double to Morgan

Ian Morgan had a wonderful day when the Gerries played their weekly nine hole competition on Wednesday last. Only nine payers faced the starter in the golf competition due to the fact there were a number of regular players away.

Winner in the golf was the wonder man of golf who really put his game to-gether, Ian Morgan. From all reports Morgs played really well with some wonderful shots to record a magnificent score of 28 points. Runner up was the consistent Gus Smith with 26 points. Rumour has it that the handicapper will have a field day adjusting the handicaps of the winners. Unfortunately there were no winners of the NTP Comp or the NAGA due to bad shots and insufficient players.

Attention then turned to the pool table where only one match was played. This was between Terry Willis and Gus Smith against Norm Lewis and Ian Morgan. Players who were away and missed the spectacle of seeing Morgs playing brilliant pool to lead himself and Lewis to a brilliant win against all odds and collect the daily double of golf and pool at huge odds. It was great to see Morgs lead his partner to a much needed win and the weekly champions trophy. Well done Morgs.

This afternoon, the Gerries will be playing the front nine for a Stableford competition with the hit off at the usual time of 2.30pm. At is hoped the change in the weather will attract larger field as it is very pleasant on the golf course this time of the year.See you all on the tee.