Sports

ABOVE: 2016 CRDBA Senior Triples Champions: Allan Parker, Bob Ballantyne and Graham Meany.

Senior Triples title to Yamba trio

ABOVE: 2016 CRDBA Senior Triples Champions: Allan Parker, Bob Ballantyne and Graham Meany.
ABOVE: 2016 CRDBA Senior Triples Champions: Allan Parker, Bob Ballantyne and Graham Meany.
  The Yamba Club has again tasted success in the Clarence River District Bowling Association 2016 Championships with the experienced trio of Allan Parker, Bob Ballantyne and Graham Meany capturing the prestigious Senior Triples Championship after a weekend of keenly contested and high quality team bowls at Brooms Head. The Yamba combination had to overcome several well credentialed teams on their path to the championship including the Maclean combination of Mick Fuss, Leo Wood and Jim Shannon in the final. Although Jim’s team fought hard and bowled with determination it was the experience, consistency and solidarity of the Yamba trio that proved the difference as they conquered their opposition with a well-deserved 23 shot to 18 victory. In the Open category, Yamba was represented by Greg Dickman, Greg Johnson and Martyn Wood. Martyn and his team played excellent bowls in the morning for a convincing 27 shot to 13 win over the fancied combination of Greg Maxted, Gary Harrison and Allan Knox from Grafton. Unfortunately, the Yamba combination was not able to recapture their earlier form in the afternoon against Jim Johnson’s Maclean team. Martyn and the two Greg’s were well down early but showed character to fight back strongly to get within three shots in the middle stages of the game. However, they were not able to maintain their effort and went down 29 shots to 15. David Atkinson, Allan Marr and Alan Turnbull contested the Reserve category and triumphed over their opponents from Maclean in the first round. The Yamba line-up played brilliantly and the game was called off after 16 ends with the Yamba ensemble leading 29 shots to one. Alan and his team were required to change greens for their second match and had difficulty adjusting to the different conditions. Although bowling with great endeavour, the Yamba team were down 13 shots to one after only six ends against their more experienced Grafton opponents. Alan and his team managed to hold their own from this point of the contest but were finally defeated by 10 shots with the final score being 27 shots to 17. The 2016 Yamba Major Pairs Championship will commence on Sunday February 21 with rounds scheduled to commence at 9am and again at 1pm. The draw was made on Wednesday and is displayed on the bowl’s notice board. Also on the notice board is the nomination sheet for the 2016 Senior Singles Championship open to all club registered male bowlers over the age of 75 years. Nominations close on Friday 11th March with the first round to be contested on the evening of Tuesday March 15. Please check the notice board for details. The Grade 6 and 7 Pennant sides commence their 2016 season on Saturday February 20 with Grades 3, 4 and 5 hosting a trial with Park Beach on the same day. Bowlers are reminded to check the Pennant board for selections and further details. Thirty bowlers graced the club’s greens on Sunday for the inaugural Valentines Mixed Social bowls. A great time was had by all with prizes being won by 13 bowlers. Special thanks to Woolworths for their sponsorship of this event. Social bowls continues with pairs played on Wednesday and triples on Friday. All games commence at 1pm and names need to be on the respective nomination sheets by 11.30am on the day of play. All nominations are guaranteed a game and visitors are most welcomed. Results from last week are: Wednesday 10th February: Winners: Laurie Thompson and Bill Cox; Runners-Up: Wayne Curtis and John McKenna; Consolation: Bruce Blanch and Greg Johnson. Friday 12th February: Winners: Bob Mansfield, Neville Beck and Steve Burns; Runners-Up: Mal Henderson, Jim Groom and David Coupland; Consolation: Glen Franklin, John Parkinson and Alan Reed. Don Freeman