December has been a busy month at GDSC. The Club Championship Mixed Pairs final was played on a hot morning, Allan Knox with Bev Murray v Ray Grant with Meryl Buckley. After the first six ends Allan & Bev had won five of the ends and went to an 8 to 3 lead. However, Ray & Meryl won the next 7 ends and went to a 6-shot lead. Allan & Bev turned the tables winning 7 of the last 8 ends and were crowned the winners, the final score being 27 to 19. Bev Murray assured the spectators there were 9 dead ends and at one stage the water she was consuming, I am told, was turning to steam. That’s bowls and that’s why we call Rocket ‘Rocket’. Congratulations to all four bowlers on reaching the finals.

TNT (Tuesday Night Triples) founder Ken O’Meara was delighted with the short story that was presented on Bowls Australia TV in his honour. The show gave him recognition for the insight he had in getting TNT off the ground some 28 years ago. Many thanks to GDSC for their hospitality at the Club when it went to air. TNT Spring competition wound up after 10 rounds, winners with 40 points being OZ KIWI with bowlers Tom Macdonald, Reg Robinson and Wendy Macdonald, who filled in for Paul Hyland who had to attend to an injured knee. The second placed team was PMJ with 39 points, Dovetails 37, Triple Trouble 36, Fresh Dental 35 and Humble Pye’s 34. The next comp is due to commence on February 9 and will run for 10 weeks. Many thanks to sponsors McKimms Real Estate, City Centre Apartments, Clarence Valley Wholesalers, Abbey Motor Inn and of course GDSC. All 28 teams have entered next competition. We are always looking for new bowlers so if you would like to place your name down as a spare player phone Allan Gough on 0429 497 400. The Presentation night, hosted by Derek Morgan was an excellent night, the unexpected centre of attention was ‘Christmas Carol’ Johnson. Everyone had what has been described by many as the best Presentation night for many years. We will make it bigger and better again next year. Congratulations go out to Clubman of the Year Gary Harrison and Most Improved Bowler no other than Darren Brown. Our next big event will be the Trenayr Rural Fire Service Charity Day, to be held on January 23 at 5pm, followed by a BBQ etc. We are hoping the combined RFS Brigades throughout the Clarence River will be able to nominate 84 bowlers which will leave the club bowlers to run the event and give assistance where required. We will place a nomination sheet on the noticeboard and will select bowlers to make up the numbers if required. The RFS co-ordinator is Harold Gibson, who can be contacted on 0420 340 815. Biggal