The 2022 competition for the Shirley Watson Memorial trophy was held on Tuesday, October 25.

The competition is to remember and acknowledge our long term past member and patron who is much loved and admired.

Shirley Watson was a very active member of our club for many years. Shirley passed away in 2017 and this competition for affiliated bowlers was commenced later that year and has been run each year since.

Shirley held many positions in the Iluka Women’s Bowls Club and was always very proud of her club and its members. She was a very strong selector who willingly passed her expertise onto newcomers. She was also a coach for the ladies for many years and followed her players’ careers with interest. Shirley took a strong interest in the club and had very definite ideas about the correct etiquette and made sure that rules of play were adhered to.

The format has changed in the last two years, however the basic equitable game which was attributed to Shirley’s game ethic is the main objective to the event.

This year the competition again was run as a two-game format. Each game was twelve ends of two bowl triples. There were no trial ends, no dead ends and no walking to the head. Scoring was 10 points for a win and one point for each end won. 

Selectors managed to match up the players extremely well, forming teams that were fair and competitive. All games were played in good spirit and professionalism. 

This year only one team won two games, they were the winners: – Gillian Wakefield, Lyn Briggs and Margaret Gosper. The runners up were Janny Franke, Di Hadlow and Mary Arthur.

After the competition, the presentation was made, followed by nibbles of cheese, cold meats and other savouries.

The winners were presented with their certificates and medallions and their names will be engraved on the perpetual trophy.

Our next big event for 2022 will be our Consistency Singles competition to be run from November 3.

Please come along and join us as visitors and new members are very welcome.

Kaye Becker