No Joy for our Teams competing in the Zone Pairs Championships at Forbes over the weekend, with both eliminated in the semi-finals. Steve Riley & Kevin Rider won their first round match in the senior pairs, defeating Steve Ryan & Col Haywards from Parkes, but found the Lithgow City duo of Ian Townsend & Jeff Madden a bridge too far in the afternoon. For Rabz Macqueen & Steve Buttsworth in the President’s Pairs event it was a similar story with a comfortable win over the Condobolin pairing of Mick Waller & Brett Brynes, but they too had no answer for the form of the Lithgow Workies duo of Colin McDonald & Ken Poppett in their afternoon clash. This now concludes Narromine’s commitments for the year and whilst the best we could manage this season was some district wins, all in all not a bad season for the lads in the RED trousers.

Meanwhile back at home base we had the first round of the .B-grade Triples scheduled for play and as usual the results were interesting to say the least. Game 01 featured the defending Champions Brian Payne, John Woolfe & Geoff Cape up against a new look team in Codey Anning, Geoff Bohm & Ben Clark and whilst the result might not have been a bit of a shock, the manner in which “Beaver” & his troops dominated from the get go certainly was. The match was virtually over before it started with Ben & Co leading 15/02 after just 8 ends, and whilst “Capey” managed to square up the ends the back half of the match that early margin remained in tact with the final score being 29/12 in favour of Codey, Geoff, & Ben. In the second match which featured the very experienced trio of Clifton Harris, James Coen & Bill Wilkie up against Paul Hilder, Bob Davis (Sub for Legs Hartas) & Jimmy Daley, most pundits would have thought Bill & Co would have too many “guns” for the new look combo, but as always you don’t play the game on paper and thus for a few hours the window tappers certainly got great value for money. For Bill and Co the script was going according to plan with the score reading 18/10 after 15 ends, but from that point on it was “Horror Movies” as Jimmy & Team scored 12 shots to 1 and claim a remarkable win 22/19.

This sets up next Saturdays semi-finals for this event this way. Game 1 will feature last weekend’s winners Codey Anning, Geoff Bohm & Ben Clark up against Paul Hilder, (Not to be confused with Paul Hunt), Jimmy Daley & Legs Hartas, whilst in the other semi-final Tom Newlands, Trent Jacobson & Riley Cape will tackle Mick Wright, Geoff Anderson & Rabz Macqueen.

Social Bowls this week saw some 14 players go round on Thursday, with a dozen on the paddock Sunday morning in the chook run. A full wrap of both days play went something like this. Thursday rink 01. Des Lincoln, John Heterick & Robbie Stanford defeated Clifton Harris, Trent Jacobson & Terry McDonald 20/08. on rink 2 it was the duo of Bob Davis & Don Sullivan who prevailed 21/17 over Noel Delboux & Steve Buttsworth, whilst rink 3 featured another pairs clash in which Neighbours Bob Ashdown & David McNair teamed up to defeat Robert Bateman & Danny Carnevale 20/16 in what was an entertaining match. Presentation time saw Des, John & Robbie atop the Podium, whilst the jackpot prize pool was nowhere to be seen. Sunday Morning we welcomed a couple or three visitors, namely Gail & Colin Cobden along with Dennis Shirlaw who joined us for what was a glorious morning to play bowls, well it looked that way early? Anyhow what happened was on rink 8 Col Cobden, Peter Payne & Ben Clark had a comfortable win over Gail Cobden, Bob Ashdown & Terry McDonald, whilst in the other triples encounter Robert Bateman, Dennis Shirlaw, & David Mcnair just nudged out Bob davis, Trent Jacobson & Bill Wilkie. Presentation time saw Col, Peter & Ben collect all the Chocolates, whilst once again we couldn’t find that elusive jackpot number.

Just a reminder that we have a couple of few things happening in and around the Clubhouse the next few weeks, with the time honoured “FINO” Day scheduled for Saturday September 16, and with some 6 teams already nominated I wouldn’t be “Mucking” around if I was you and looking for a start in this event, as numbers are limited to just a dozen teams.

Sunday the 17th September has been gazetted as the day for our 2017/2018 Annual General meeting and therefore Nominations for the board of Directors are now being called for. Hopefully we will get a full complement and more for all positions vacant. The meeting starts at 10.00am and for those who haven’t had a look at the Balance Sheet (Which is available at the Bar) it makes for pleasant reading.

Our Next Trivia Night is on Tuesday 19th September and the local charity to benefit from this night is the Narromine Cancer Support Group. In the past this organisation has put on a terrific bunch of prizes & a supper to match. So if you would like to be part of what is always a fun night get your team together, or if you’re on your own just wander up to the club around 6.30pm on Tuesday 19th and enjoy the occasion.

Thursday 21st September promises to be another big night in the Club house with a bonus raffle being conducted in conjunction with our normal Meat Trays. Over $1000.00 worth of additional prizes will be there for the taking but only if you’re in the clubhouse from around 7.00pm onwards.

Nominations for the .A-grade Triples are now being called for, and to date it looks like I might be playing in the final, as only 2 teams have nominated, but no such luck I’m thinking as we will surely get a few more “noms” before they close on FINO Day.

Nominations for the Club Challenge close this week, and I know a few of the Grade6 Squad have indicated a willingness to form a team, so if you would like to be part of this squad it will cost you $20.00 and you must be available to play on Saturday 14th October.

If you wish or can meet both those criteria see Rick ASAP and depending on Numbers he will enter a tam in this event. Our Silver team (Grade 3 Players) are under the Care of Captain coach Aaron Clark.

MEN

Last Saturday we had 13 starters  in a 4BWB sponsored by Greg Kearines & Rob Gainsford. Rob Williams & Kale Bock won the day with 34 points from Toby Rush & Ben Coen with 32 points.

The best individual score came from Bruce Mitchell with 42 points, NTPs  9th Ben Astill & 10th Rob Williams.

On Sunday we had 20 starters in a 4Ball Aggregate sponsored by Landmark. The winners on the day were Tony & Duane Mann with 79 points from the team of Alan & Duane Mann with 78 points. The best of the non golfers were Glen & Brody Monaghan on 73 points NTPs 9th Michelle Ashdown &  10th Brian Masling.

Next Saturday we have a Monthly Medal sponsored by Ron Powell & Bill Burke & Sunday the 4 Person Holden Scramble.

WIN FOR MITCHELL

Last Wednesday 14 players took part in the weekly Gerries golf competition at Royal Narromine course. The course must have been in good condition as there were five players tied on 25 points with the count back being used to decide the winner.

Bruce Mitchell who had a little trouble early on holes 1 and 2 but then played his best golf by making par on the remaining holes to record his 25 points. A great round Bruce.

Runner-up was Gus Smith followed by Chris Harding, Bob Richardson and Ron Green all on 25 points. Brian Masling won the NTP trophy of one golf ball while our favourite golfer Ian Morgan was successful in winning the NAGA trophy with 18 points.

An interesting afternoon of golf with tremendous scores being returned.

The Pool competition was next with first game between Terry Willis and Gus Smith against Charlie Burrowes and Ian Morgan.

This went to Willis and Smith after Morgs sank the cue ball  whilst after the back. Willis and Smith then met Chris Harding and latecomer Norm Lewis in the final. Smith played a "Charlton Like" game to help he and Willis to an easy victory and the champions title for the week.

Veteran Golfers re reminded it is not too late to nominate for the State Veterans Championship Men's Fourball event to be played here on 16th and 17th September. See Club Captain Lewis after to-days event.

This afternoon the Gerries will be playing their weekly competition on the back nine with a hit-off at 2.30pm.See you all on the tee.

TERRIERS BUNDLED OUT OF FINALS

The Gulgong Terriers did not enjoy a great day out at the 2017 Christie and Hood Castlereagh League preliminary finals staged at Coonamble last Saturday with both their Youth League and first grade outfits biting the dust against Baradine and Coonamble respectively.

Gilgandra’s McGrane Oval will be the focal point for all Castlereagh League enthusiasts this Saturday when the grand finals will be played in front of an anticipated monstrous crowd

The day will feature six of the Castlereagh League clubs in action with some exciting encounters expected, kicking off with the Youth League game at 11.30am between the Coonabarabran Unicorns and the Baradine Magpies.

The Unicorns finished on top of the competition ladder and may be entitled to favouritism for the title but the Magpies have really hit some outstanding form of late and have a never say die attitude that has carried them in recent times

The League Tag game will feature two very well drilled sides in the Dunedoo Swannettes and the Warren Bulldogs and there is little between the two teams, with both enjoying victory over each other throughout the year.

Results September 2

Youth League

Baradine 34 (Lane Hawkins 4, Braydon Doolan, Sam Molyneux, Ethan Andrews tries, Silver Bunner 2, Hawkins goals) defeated Gulgong 30 (Logan Ruming, Dan Crane, Zac Warwicker, Mitch Sheather, Will Hawkins tries, Crane 5 goals)

Ladies League Tag

Warren 22 (Taylah Brown, Reighan Peckham, Brittany Darcy, Meegan Seymour, Nikki Fuller tries, Peckham goal) defeated Gilgandra 16 (Kaitlyn Brown, Trista Raines, Crystal Williams tries Tenesa Welsh, Shian Chatfield goals)

Senior Rugby League

Coonamble 38 (Marshall Williams 3, Nathan Walker, Josh Gershon, Jarrad Rae, Aaron West tries, Williams 5 goals) defeated Gulgong 6 (James Morrison try, Brad James goal)

Grand finals to be played at Gilgandra Saturday 9th September 2017

11.30 am Youth League; Coonabarabran Unicorns V Baradine Magpies

Ladies League Tag

Dunedoo Swannettes V Warren Bulldogs

Senior League

Gilgandra Panthers V Coonamble Bears

GROUP 11

TIGERS IN MAIDEN GRAND FINAL

By Nick McGrath

Nyngan has romped to its first Group 11 first grade grand final appearance after securing a dominant 26-12 victory over Parkes in Sunday’s preliminary final at Caltex Park. The Tigers roared to a 16-0 half-time lead before extending that advantage to 22-0 early in the second period. Parkes hit back late to give the massive Tigers contingent that traveled to Caltex Park somewhat of a scare, but a flick pass from Crete Waaka to winger Daniel Stanley to score late sealed the club a slice of Group 11 history.  Both sides botched chances in the opening 20 minutes of the clash, but the second quarter of the grand final qualifier was all Nyngan. Parkes fought back in the second half with Jake Porter and Joey Dwyer scoring back-to-back tries in quick succession but it was never going to be enough with Stanley’s match-winner in the corner for the Tigers coming in the 77th minute. Nyngan Tigers will now meet Dubbo CYMS in the decider.