BOWLS: Sullivan betters Edwards

Don Sullivan got the better of John Edwards in what most pundits would have considered the first of the upsets.

It was a similar story in the Jimmy Daley versus Steve Riley battle which saw Jimmy claim a 31-30 win and advance to next week's quarter-finals.

Keeping the theme going was Peter Cross who defeated Jay Stephenson surprisingly comfortably 31-14 and perhaps to the same sort of degree was "Boppa" Daley's win over Kevin Rider.

But that's where the "perceived" upsets finished as Trent Jacobson's good form of late continued in his comfortable win over Geoff Anderson and Aaron Hutchison just had too many answers for "Puddy" Gillespie in their clash.

I did say there were eight scheduled matches listed for last Saturday but owing to a postponement and a forfeit only six games were played. 

However that hasn't stopped the progress of this event and therefore next Saturday will see the four quarter-finals set down for play. 

In game one: Mark Hilder will play Peter Cross.

Game two features Aaron Hutchison up against Trent Jacobson.

Game three will see Jimmy Daley and Don Sullivan do battle, while the fourth clash will be dependent upon the postponed match between Robbie Stanford and Steve Buttsworth which needs to be played before Saturday afternoon so the winner can advance to their scheduled clash with James Daley.

Last Sunday the Narromine grade two squad took on a determined West Dubbo outfit at home and unfortunately for "us" hosts we were "clobbered". 

The final score of 41-87 saw the visitors win comfortably on each rink and although our "fellas" played the occasional good bowl, that didn't happen often enough.

This now completes our commitments for 2016 in the pennants arena in what has been a disappointing season right across the park.

Without trying to analyse what went wrong, I think it's suffice to say the level of practice and or simply more time on the greens needs to increase by some of our players, whether that happens in 2017, time will tell. 

On a positive note those players who did put some effort into practice sessions finished the season better players and it wouldn't be surprising if same said players garner some championship or tournament trophies before season end.

Katt's Karaoke will form part of the entertainment this Saturday night during a weekend of zone pennant play-offs for the various successful district winners.

We will host Coonamble, Wallerawang, Parkes and Manildra bowling clubs who will play a round robin tournament commencing Saturday morning.

Some 50 bowlers plus supporters will descend on the club Friday afternoon and hopefully if everything goes according to the script one of these clubs will win through for the right to represent zone four at the state finals in August. So if you would like to see some great bowls action this weekend, or dance along to some fine music, the "Bowly" is the place to be, hope to see you there.

Numbers weren't that special again this week, don't know why but those that did turn up for a social game of bowls enjoyed their outing judging by the happy faces in the clubhouse afterwards.

It was all smiles for the "Peyton Close" team of Peter Kelly and Des Lincoln who collected the major share of the loot on offer, with Trent Jacobson and Clifton Harris the recipients of the runners-up cheque for their stellar play. On Sunday just 11 players greeted the starters' box, with Barb Lincoln, Robert Bateman and Clifton Harris the best performed team on the day.

Well that's it for me for another week, or two depending on my travelling computer, and the grapevine service.