Conditions were more settled compared to last week though the wind still managed to catch us out on occasions.

A  birthday cake was had to celebrate John Smoothy’s 89th birthday. John had a pretty good shoot as well top scoring in F Class.

Other members including Ben Goodwin, Neville Lyons, Dave Xuereb, John Dixon and Graham Crowe (Sunday) attended the two day shoot at Ungarie.  (Held at the same time as the Ungarie Big Footie unveiling.)

Next weekend will be 1000Y.  Jack Biscay Cup.

Results as follows: Target Rifle Scott Brindley TRA – 146.9 (Out of 150). F Class   John Smoothy-FO-145.3, Graham Crowe-FS-140.1, Paul Golden-FS-137 (Out of 180).

MINOR Singles Championship first round: Rod Cramp def Harrison Conroy 31/18; Jeff Post def Kerry Welsh 31/12; Nathan Willis def Peter Lord 31/18; Phil Howarth def Alan Jacobson 31 /15. Henry Sperrin def Jim Sloan (forced to retire).  

Monday’s Over 50s Pairs Tournament sponsored by The Settlers Group saw 22 teams competing for the $1530 prizemoney.

There was six teams with three game wins with first prize of $600 won by Gary Brookes and Rod Cramp with three wins plus 30 shots up; 2nd prizemoney of $400 was won by Ron Rynehart and Peter Reid with three wins plus 21 shots; 3rd prizemoney of $200 went to Larry Stitt and Ray Chaffey with three wins plus 18 shots and 4th prizemoney of $100 went to Dennis Knight and Ron Myers with three wins plus 17 shots. $60 best game winners were: Paul Fenwick, Jeff Post plus 11; game two Graham Rutherford, Brian Asimus plus 15 shots; game three Bill Butz, John Salter plus 16 shots.     

Wednesday blind draw Triple winners: Barry Belt, Keith Gill 21 points; runners up Gary Brookes, "Johnno" Johnston, Steve Brown 20 points; 3rd place Bernie Benson, Wayne Smithers, Owen Cotterill 19 points.

Friday Nominated Pairs winners: Zac Gabrielsen , Rod Cramp 21 points; runners up John Cowper, Max Simmons 20 points; 3rd place John Hetherington, Jack Jolley 19 points.

Sunday Mixed mufti blind draw winners: Barb Cotterill, Anne Purcell 21 points; runners up Col Smith, Elaine Larkin, Helen Tyrrell 20 points; 3 rd place Fran Mahon, Ollie Henderson, Owen Cotterill 17 points. Friday Fully Loaded three Bowl Pairs returns March 23. Two games 14 ends, draw for Partner and Card; prizemoney $220 with barbecue and lucky draw to follow.

Coming Events

Welcoming the Riverina Travelling Bowlers – good news  we are an incorporated group and hold recognised identity, officially known as Riverina Travelling Bowlers Incorporated, with confirmation received from Department of Fair Trading dated February 19.

Holbrook Bowling Club situated in Swift Street is the next venue for the Riverina Travelling Bowlers Inc on March 25 for a 10am start.

Phil Swanson and his team have put together a new exciting format for Riverina Travelling Bowlers, we have been assured by Holbrook Return Serviceman’s Bowling Club everything will be ready, as we make the journey to Holbrook.

We anticipate a bus (unconfirmed as yet) as all member and friends will be  informed as  the date of the trip closes in, on morning Saturday, March 25, for those wishing to attend and travel by bus could you please contact Michelle Henderson on 0409 048 148 as soon as possible, to confirm seats and arrangements.

Hopefully the weather will be fine for that weekend and we can all enjoy the great hospitality of the Holbrook club.

I understand a great menu starting at $14 for mains is available. Bowls is $6, jackpot $1.

Holbrook Return Serviceman’s Bowling Club – I understand  is really looking forward to our visit.

Bowls on the day - we may introduce a new format –  (players’ decision). We could play the traditional 12 ends before lunch and 12 ends after.

Or we could introduce a new format or game called Scrounges. Suggestion – playing 15 ends before lunch and further 10 ends after lunch.

Scrounges consists of  the nearest three bowls close to the jack claiming shots, nearest bowl earns three shots, second closest earns two shots, third closest one shot.

The shots tallied at the end of the game to find a rink winner. Rink winners play of in semi finals over five ends and finalist play off over three ends to decide a winner and runner up. Trophies awarded.

This is an exciting concept and great to participate and watch the finals, during which you could experience the great hospitality of the Holbrook Return Serviceman’s Bowling Club.

Scrounges a new game equally rewarding all players –  playing in their drawn positions Lead, Second and Skip.

The score card will record the closest three bowls for each end. Highest points or shots accumulated determines the rink winner.

Semi finalists or rink winners play off over five ends to get to the finals then the finals play off  over three ends to find the event winner and runner up. Trophies awarded.

This game can be very exciting and each player has an equal chance of being a winner or finalist.

 We welcome all members to be a part of this new game and welcome all bowlers to this event.

Phil Swanson, president of the Men’s Bowling Club, assures a great day out with an exciting event planned.

There will be the usual raffle and a jackpot winner to add to the atmosphere.

This event follows on from the  success and enjoyment of the previous event at Adelong.

Many thanks to our valued members Bonnie and Graeme Carroll; David Wren for contributing their loyalty to Riverina Travelling Bowlers Inc. where 30 bowlers from the locals and Riverina Travelling Bowlers members from Gundagai Tarcutta and Wagga made the trip – all enjoyed the bowls and barbecue lunch.

Riverina Travelling Bowlers supports the game of lawn bowls and through  our monthly events  to smaller clubs invites social visits and events.

Our mission .... to  bring the Riverina Travelling Bowlers inc to your club keeping the game of lawn bowls alive and thriving through our region and beyond.

Following Holbrook Return Serviceman’s Bowling Club event on March 25 we are all invited to Yerong Creek Community Bowls Club on April 22.

Another valued member, Paul Flinn President of Yerong Creek Bowling Club, plans another great event.

Monthly: May’s event will be at Henty Bowling Club and Gary Kerr and Mick Brougham will be our host for that event – please note on your bowling calendars.

Worth a mention is our Riverina Travelling Bowlers Inc special meeting scheduled for Saturday, March 17, 10.30am at the RSL Club, Wagga.

For details contact Michelle Henderson on 0409 048 148.

All is well for the coming months at Riverina Travelling Bowlers; and a special  invitation to our bowling friends who would be interest in joining our group.

ON SUNDAY the club held the final round of the Gerogery Hotel nine-hole championship.

The championship was sponsored by Jimmy and Allana from the Gerogery Hotel and we thank them for their generosity.

A barbecue and presentation was held at the Gerogery Hotel on Sunday to complete the successful championship.

Thank you to Stuart from the Culcairn Butchery for donating the meat tray for the raffle which was won by Stuart Lowe.

The format was a nine-hole stableford over four weeks with the three best scores taken for the championship.

The winners were: Week 1: Clayton Scott 22, week 2:Steve Kishere 21, week 3: Joe Warren 23, and week 4: Phil Frost 24 points. The overall champion on 64 was Clayton Scott and runner-up on 61 was John Scott.

Next Sunday is our 2018 Opening Day and will will be holding a two-person ambrose starting at 11am for an 11.30am tee off.

All golfers are invited to play and enjoy a barbecue afterwards. Hope to see you there!