The 2016 Yamba Four’s Championship was decided on the weekend with all teams demonstrating a high level of bowling ability and skill in very difficult and challenging conditions. The preliminary round and the quarter-finals were played on Saturday and after two gruelling periods of competition it was Allan Parker and his team of David Crawford, Peter Cawdrey and Trevor Bardsley who were the first team to secure a position in Sunday morning’s semi-final. They were subsequently joined by the combination of Greg Dickman, Martyn Wood, Tom Morrow and Alan Abbott; Bruce Angel and his team of Mark Scobie, Don Freeman and Steve Kliendienst; and finally the ‘comeback kids’ Bill Cox, Laurie Thompson, Brad Johnson and Peter Forrester completed the quartet of teams. The conditions on Sunday were a little easier, but still a long way from perfect. Allan Parker and his team began brilliantly against Bruce Angel’s combination establishing a commanding 11 shot to one lead after only five ends. Allan’ team closed out the match in convincing style winning 23 shots to 14 and adjusted their sights onto the afternoon final. The duel between Peter Forrester’s team and Alan Abbott’s well credentialed combination was of the highest standard with an excellent display of precision draw shots and weighted on shots being demonstrated. However, it was Greg Dickman, Martyn Wood, Tom Morrow and Alan Abbott who persevered and advanced to the afternoon’s final with a 25 shot to 17 victory. A vigorous band of spectators gathered for the much anticipated final and witnessed an entertaining and keenly contested battle between two very worthy teams. However, contrary to the proceedings of the semi-final, it was Allan Parker and his team that found themselves significantly behind on the score board early in the contest after Alan Abbott’s team commenced with a sequence of strong ends to establish an authoritative advantage. David Crawford, Peter Cawdrey, Trevor Bardsley and Allan Parker tried valiantly to get back into the game; however it was the superb leading by Greg Dickman, the consistency of Martyn Wood and Tom Morrow and the dynamic skipping of Alan Abbott that triumphed on the day. The final score of 26 shots to 20 was a true reflection of the balance within the contest. The next club championship to be contested is the Major Triples which will begin on Sunday, January 24. The draw and specific timings will be placed on the notice board during the week. 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 13th January: Winners: Greg Forbes and Graham Meany. Runners-Up: Martyn Wood and Alan Abbott. Consolation: Greg Dickman and Bob McKibbin. Friday 15th January: Winners: Ron Buchholz, Bruce Kilby and Frank Pate. Runners-Up: Don Grant, Vern Gheller and Norm Sinclair. Consolation: Keith Smith, Allan Marr and Martyn Wood. Don Freeman