With a large number of members absent at the Regional Pennant playoffs at Coffs Harbour last week, member numbers were a bit down at Yamba Women’s Bowls, but were bolstered by a number of visitors, some returnees and some newies, and all most welcome. And there was some spirited competition.
In fact, it could not get much closer in the match of the day on Tuesday 21st June when for the second week in a row Lorraine Ashbury figured in a drawn game. This time Loraine teamed with Jan Stamp to draw 16 all with Beryl Neilsen and visitor Sue Lindsay.
A withering finish of 8 shots in the final 3 ends saw Beryl and Judy snatch the game on ends from Jan and Lorraine who had played very steady bowls to lead 10-8 after 11 ends, but then picked up two threes to lead 16-8 before their opponents hit back so dramatically.
Neither team finished in the lucky bowlo bucks though, for which the winners were Bev Lawson, (visitor) Judy Herbert, and the often lucky Jane Pearson. Consolation bucks went to another visitor, E Neal and her skip Kerry Pedder.
One of our visitor prize sharks, Jennifer Gill, was again in the winners’ circle on Thursday 23rd when she teamed up with another visitor, Coral Taylor to be drawn for the bowlo bucks in what was that day’s game of the day. They had a battle royal with Gwen Hoskin and visitor Jill Murphy right through the second half of the game when there was no more than 2 shots the difference right up until final two ends.
With scores at 12 all, indicating the small numbers being scored in this close game, Jennifer and C sealed a win with a fine 3 on the final end. They then snared the winners’ prize. Jennifer and sister Sandra might need an armed guard to take all their winnings back to Laurieton when soon we sadly have to say goodbye for this year.
Kerry Pedder must have had some of Jennifer’s luck rub off, because she took home the consolation bucks for the second time in the week, teaming up this time with Margaret Durante.
While we soon have to bid farewell to the Gill sisters, it is wonderful to be welcoming many of our other regular winter “visitors”, who are such an important and valued part of our bowling family here in Yamba. Among the recent returnees, Beryl and Audrey were too late to get an entry in for the Blue Pacific Pairs held this week, but immediately volunteered to come and work on the day – what fantastic ladies!
Fantastic also are the players in our Grade 2 and 4 Pennant teams who represented us at the Regional playoffs at Coff’s Harbour on 21 and 22 June. Our sides battled in very difficult conditions against some very highly credentialed opposition, and acquitted themselves well, each finishing third with one win each out of their three games, and representing our club with dignity and pride. Well done too to our mates from across the Clarence, Iluka’s Grade 3 side.
It was also wonderful to see the support given to all the locals by the officials and supporters who travelled down and braved freezing, windy weather to be there for the players.
Wendy Ballantyne Sports
Yamba acquitted themselves well at Regional Pennants
With a large number of members absent at the Regional Pennant playoffs at Coffs Harbour last week, member numbers were a bit down at Yamba Women’s Bowls, but were bolstered by a number of visitors, some returnees and some newies, and all most welcome. And there was some spirited competition.
In fact, it could not get much closer in the match of the day on Tuesday 21st June when for the second week in a row Lorraine Ashbury figured in a drawn game. This time Loraine teamed with Jan Stamp to draw 16 all with Beryl Neilsen and visitor Sue Lindsay.
A withering finish of 8 shots in the final 3 ends saw Beryl and Judy snatch the game on ends from Jan and Lorraine who had played very steady bowls to lead 10-8 after 11 ends, but then picked up two threes to lead 16-8 before their opponents hit back so dramatically.
Neither team finished in the lucky bowlo bucks though, for which the winners were Bev Lawson, (visitor) Judy Herbert, and the often lucky Jane Pearson. Consolation bucks went to another visitor, E Neal and her skip Kerry Pedder.
One of our visitor prize sharks, Jennifer Gill, was again in the winners’ circle on Thursday 23rd when she teamed up with another visitor, Coral Taylor to be drawn for the bowlo bucks in what was that day’s game of the day. They had a battle royal with Gwen Hoskin and visitor Jill Murphy right through the second half of the game when there was no more than 2 shots the difference right up until final two ends.
With scores at 12 all, indicating the small numbers being scored in this close game, Jennifer and C sealed a win with a fine 3 on the final end. They then snared the winners’ prize. Jennifer and sister Sandra might need an armed guard to take all their winnings back to Laurieton when soon we sadly have to say goodbye for this year.
Kerry Pedder must have had some of Jennifer’s luck rub off, because she took home the consolation bucks for the second time in the week, teaming up this time with Margaret Durante.
While we soon have to bid farewell to the Gill sisters, it is wonderful to be welcoming many of our other regular winter “visitors”, who are such an important and valued part of our bowling family here in Yamba. Among the recent returnees, Beryl and Audrey were too late to get an entry in for the Blue Pacific Pairs held this week, but immediately volunteered to come and work on the day – what fantastic ladies!
Fantastic also are the players in our Grade 2 and 4 Pennant teams who represented us at the Regional playoffs at Coff’s Harbour on 21 and 22 June. Our sides battled in very difficult conditions against some very highly credentialed opposition, and acquitted themselves well, each finishing third with one win each out of their three games, and representing our club with dignity and pride. Well done too to our mates from across the Clarence, Iluka’s Grade 3 side.
It was also wonderful to see the support given to all the locals by the officials and supporters who travelled down and braved freezing, windy weather to be there for the players.
Wendy Ballantyne