MURRAY DOWNS
BAREFOOT bowls recently concluded its nine-week program with a barbecue dinner for all bowlers.
An average of 60-plus players took part each week, with the winning team being the Saffas Team, comprising of Eugene, Russell, Riaan, Marlene, Phil and Shorty.
The Swan Hill RSL Edinburgh Shield Team (with Murray Downs members) travelled to Mathoura and had a very enjoyable and successful weekend, organised by Greg Whitla. Members enjoyed a dinner at the RSL club last Wednesday night.
Congratulations to Buck Lehmann for playing in the State Singles Championships in Bendigo and making it through to the semi-finals.
Congratulations also to Josh Thornton and DJ Weaver (Racecourse) who won the Para State Open Pairs in Bendigo, another superb achievement.
Social bowls was not played last week due to it being Anzac Day, with the members on duty on Thursday next week being Greg Whitla and Connie Rovere.
Our presentation night was held last Saturday night at the Swan Hill Club, with club awards presented to the following winners.
A Grade men’s champion Josh Thornton, runner-up Brian Lehmann.
A Grade ladies champion Lisa Critten, runner-up Judy Wilson.
B Grade men’s champion John Caldwell, runner-up Phil Mangano.
B Grade ladies champion Dawn Deighton, runner-up Josie Boyd.
Men’s 100-up champion Chris Power, runner-up Garry McCaig.
Ladies 100-up champion Josie Boyd, runner-up Teresa Furnell.
Ladies pairs champions Teresa Furnell and Alana Bookham, runners-up Dawn Deighton and Connie Rovere.
Men’s pairs to be played at a later date.
Mixed pairs champions Brian Lehmann and Josie Boyd, runners-up Kerry Power and Cath Parry.
A big thank you to the tournament committee, Dawne Holland for her wonderful photos and Chris Power for the trivia he organised for the night. Thank you too all for another very successful season breakup for Murray Downs Bowls Club.
Our AGM is being held on Monday at the Swan Hill Club at 7.30pm. There will be a general meeting following the AGM for members to discuss topics relevant to this area.
RACECOURSE
OUR Anzac Day bowls was a great success, with 26 teams participating, including visitors from around the Murray Valley division, as well as from Woonboolba in Queensland, Keith and Christine Tonkies.
The winners on the day were Peter Furnell, Teresa Furnell and Alana Bookham (Murray Downs) with three wins and 83 points.
The runners-up, with three wins and 81 points, were Brian Quaife, Graeme Bennett and Diane Millsteed (Swan Hill), while in third place was a team from Swan Hill in Alan Marshman, Graeme Clark and Ralph Dorigo.
Congratulations to DJ Weaver and Josh Thornton (Murray Downs) on winning back-to-back State Para Pairs.
On Saturday, due to a COVID outbreak at Lake Boga, Racecourse held social bowls as a one-off, with 33 bowlers playing.
Winners for the day were Brian Quaife, Arthur Threadgold and Stuart Thompsett with two wins and +18 shots, while the runners-up, with one win and +7 shots, were Dawn Doran, Kevin Vivian and Sally Meehan.
Jackpot bowls on Wednesday was played in perfect conditions, with 36 players playing.
Rob Hayes, Graeme Clark and Phil Parry were the winners, with two wins and +22 shots, while the runners-up, with one win and +20 shots, were Brian Quaife, Peter Scott and Max Renney.
Our next tournament will be the Tasco Triples, to be held on Sunday, May 26, with the event being casual dress.
The Racecourse ladies held their annual general meeting on Wednesday, with Mary Hooper elected president, Carol Smith elected vice-president and Helen Frame elected secretary. The Midweek Pennant selectors are Faye Devereux, Carol Smith, Lorriane Loats, Lyndal Taylor and Dawn Doran.
SWAN HILL
THE Swan Hill Bowls Club’s 58th Autumn/May Carnival starts at noon Saturday, in what looks like being perfect weather, with the greens in top condition and all ready for a flying start.
Swan Hill Rural City Council Mayor Stuart King will welcome over 100 bowlers, including many visitors from various parts of Victoria. Cr King will roll the first bowl down, with all keen to begin 10 days of friendly, competitive bowling.
Visitors started arriving in Swan Hill on Thursday and some were on the green for a practice by the afternoon.
Saturday is a men’s and ladies fours event, with a mixed fours event to be played on Sunday. If you wish to see the full 10-day program, they can be picked up from the club, or by contacting carnival secretary Bill King on 0428 324 083. All events will close by noon the day prior to the event.
At this stage, the 1pm men’s pairs is filled, with late entries going on a waiting list.
A two-course meal will be available this Saturday night for $25 per person, with a hot roast chicken, vegetables and gravy, with sweets to follow. Please put your names on the list on the noticeboard for catering purposes. Members are asked to assist during the carnival in any way they can, both outside and inside the clubhouse.
Swan Hill Bowls Club thanks our many sponsors for their support of our Autumn/May Carnival.
All are most welcome to enter Friday Frolic to get the feel of the greens, with names to be in by 2.30pm for a 3pm start, 10 ends of friendly bowls for $5 and every winner receives a prize, with happy hour drinks, a light snack and try your luck for one of Mick’s many raffle prizes.
LAKE BOGA
WE welcomed four visitors to Wednesday social bowls, with the winners being John McCormack, “Bones” Smith and Cloe Davis, while the runners-up were Ken Hamill, Leigh Kingsbury and Russell Hawkins. On duty next Wednesday is Ian Ross.
Our jackpot will be on again on Saturday, with the jackpot now at $327. Names to be in by noon for 12.30pm start, with only single entries accepted and all welcome.
A reminder that our annual meeting will be on Wednesday, May 15, with a 7pm start.
Saturday, May 18 is our president’s day, with names to be in by noon for 12.30pm start, followed by our presentation night with a casserole dinner.
