A magnificent semi-final of our 2018 Club Fours Championships was the highlight from last week’s bowling activities. The window tappers certainly got their money's worth as the match went right down to the wire 18/16 in favour of the victors, the quartet of David McNair (sub for Alex Sambrook) Ben Clark, Sam Crook & Robert French who now advance to the final at the expense of the gallant four of Kerry Martin, Bruce Maher & Peter Cross.

As one of the aforementioned window tappers, I witnessed the entire match from go to whoa and while the standard of play wasn’t always top draw, there were some very important shots played at various parts of the game that kept the spectators on their toes for most of the afternoon.

The weather was kind too, and despite getting a thunder & lightning show late in the match, which brought with it some tricky wind conditions the rain held off enough to get the game in unimpeded. So this now leads us with just a final confrontation to complete our first championships of 2018, but unfortunately with the zone championships starting next Saturday the exact date for this final is a little murky, but as they say in the classics, watch this space.

Social bowls numbers weren’t too bad this week with some 20 players having a run on Thursday afternoon and despite Mother Nature jumping up and having her two bob’s worth, we managed to sneak in a dozen ends before she forced us off the green and into a Club House in the midst of a blackout, that made it interesting as well.

After a spot of sitting in the dark the lights came back on and Mr Daniel Carnevale, the designated controlling body for the day was able to proceed with presentations.

Atop the Podium was, young Rabz MacQueen & Aaron Clark, with Doug Potter, David McNair & Don Sullivan allocated the runners up spot.

Sunday morning’s chook run saw another tidy field of 18 go around with Clifton Harris, Lionel Ayoub & Eddie McPhee getting the bickies in front of Rob Bateman, Bob Davis & Aaron Clark.

Just a reminder that nomination for the consistency singles close in a couple of weeks and it would be great if we got a decent field for this novelty event, although at the moment the numbers are not as flash as I would have expected, maybe a late rush is on the cards.

The board recently met, and according to our regulation elected the skips for each of our pennant sides. I can now reveal the respective squads for the upcoming pennant season and also the selected sides for the pennant trial match against West Dubbo which will commence 9.00am Sunday morning February 11 at home.

Grade 3 pennant squad:  Alex Sambrook, Ben Clark, Sam Crook, Robert French, Aaron Clark, Mark Hilder, John Edwards, Aaron Hutchison, Trent Jacobson, Eddie McPhee, Glenn Miller, Robbie Stanford & Hopefully this squad will also be lining up as a unit in the Trial Match as well.

Grade 5 pennant squad: Codey Anning, Peter Cross, Steve Riley, Kevin Rider, Daniel Carnevale, Steve Buttsworth, Peter Payne, James Daley, Arnold Gillespie, Bruce Maher, Don Sullivan, and Terry McDonald.

The 6 Reserves who didn’t make either team are the nominated reserves for both squads and will also be playing in the trial match against West Dubbo, as they have requested an extra rink for this day.

So for the grade 5 trial match against West Dubbo the 4 selected rinks for that day will be: Codey Anning, Adam Jermyn, Peter Cross, Steve Riley, Ross Eddens, Daniel Carnevale, Steve Buttsworth, Peter Payne, Arnold Gillespie, Bruce Maher, Don Sullivan, Terry McDonald, Rabz MacQueen, Jimmy Daley, Geoff Bohm & Phil Harding.

Not much more to report but best of luck to all the boys in the Red Trousers going round in the Zone 4s this coming weekend.

MEN

Last Friday we had 6 starters in an Irish Stableford sponsored by the Club.  Alex Sambrook & Ryan Richardson won the day with 67 points from Dudley Alcorn & Mark Hilder on 65 points. Dudley Alcorn got the NTP.

On Saturday we  had 8 starters in a 4BBB sponsored by Robert Handsaker Ford. Bruce Mitchell & Alex Williams had 49 points to win the day from Steve Buckley & Mick McKean with 44 points. NTP 9th Rob Williams & 10th Scott Magill.

On Sunday we 16 starters in a 4 Ball Aggregate & Multiplier sponsored by Robert Handsaker Ford. Ash Bullock & Vicki Gainsford teamed up to win the day with 80 points from Steve Buckley & Mick McKean with 79 points. NTPs 9th Alex Williams & 10th Ian Taylor.

Last Tuesday in the Business House Comp we had 75 starters  and the winning team was Atlas Copco with 83 points. Best scores came from Andrew Mann 26, Brian Payne 24, George Mack 23, Toby Rush 23, Ash Bullock 23, Luke Hutchison 22, Chris Harding 22, Joan Collins 22, Ron Green 22, Gus Smith 21 & Bob Culhane 21. NTPs 9th Des Weir, 10th Peter Treseder & Heather Bootle 17th.

Next Saturday we have an Irish Stableford & Sunday  a 4BBB both sponsored by the club.

WINS TO HARMER AND MASLING

Last Saturday some 18 golfers attended for the weekly Gerries competition in very hot conditions.

The Narromine course is in excellent condition thanks to voluntary outdoor volunteer staff and some good scores were recorded despite the weather conditions.

Six ladies played the front nine on the day with Anne Harmer returning a score of 18 stableford points to defeat Vicki Gainsford by a single point.

There was no winner for the girls NTP and no NAGA prize was awarded this due to lack of numbers.

In the men's event, there were 12 players including Chris, Bob Culhane's son in law from Grafton, who appeared to enjoy himself despite the weather conditions. Brian Masling returned from the doldrums of the previous week to take the event with 24 points and he defeated his great mate John Butcher 24 on a countback.

There was drama on the course when one of our senior players hit the wrong ball on the 11th fairway which gave him a wipe for the hole, much to "Maso's delight. There was no NTP or NAGA winner for the men.

Next Saturday, the ladies will play the back nine and the men the front with the hit off at the usual time of 9am.

Following the golf presentations, attention turned to the pool table where  their appeared to be much frivolity from the large gallery watching the action. In the first match, visitor Chris and Tiger Berryman lined up against Mal Richardson and Bill Burke.

In a tight game, Tiger and Chris advanced to the final. The next match was between Ross King and Gus Smith ,who took on Bob Fletcher and Terry Willis and this is where the gallery became very vocal especially when Willis put the cue ball in the kitchen.

Eventually King and Smith won when Willis again erred by going in off the black when in a winning position. Ross and Gus went into the final full of confidence and they defeated Tiger and Chris to take the weekly champions title. It was an interesting end to the days competition which was enjoyed by all.

See you all on the tee on Saturday at 9.00 am.

GROUP 11

Fans will have to wait until round seven for the grand final rematch between the Nyngan Tigers and Dubbo CYMS.

The 2018 draw has been released, with Group 11 secretary Paul Loxley hopeful the Parkes Nines tournament on April 8 will be a perfect curtain-raiser to a new year of action. Two rounds of pre-season trials will be held on the weekends of April 15 and April 22, with the competition proper kicking off on April 29.

Loxley said the significant roster changes at many clubs would make for exciting viewing.

Narromine faces a tricky start to the season, with CYMS then Nyngan in the first two rounds, before taking on Dubbo Macquarie and Forbes.

There will be general byes on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend on June 10 and the weekend of July 29. The Nines will be the first chance for clubs to see some players in different colours, and will also give players a chance to impress selectors ahead of the April 21 representative clash between Group 11 and Group 10.