On Sunday the Club experimented by running the 1st Round of both the men’s and women’s Major/Minor Pairs Championship concurrently with the greens filled with alternate rinks of men and women parings. The conclusion is that the experimental format proved an overwhelming success with many participants, both men and women, enjoying the occasion and numerous observers stating how good it was to see the integration on the greens. The men then backed up and played their Round 2 games on the afternoon. Although the weather conditions were not ideal, all participants took to the greens with a positive attitude. There were many highlights with the contest between the pair of Steve Grodzki and Chris Muldoon against Jamie Gordon and Peter Forrester where Steve and Chris managed to etch out a 24-21 win. The combination Denis Ford and Graham Meany appeared to be cruising towards victory, leading 20-9 with only six ends to be played, only to be ambushed by Graeme Brown and Cliff Hinton who won five ends in the final stretch, including a three on the final end, to claim victory 24-23. Another great contest featured Dave Atkinson and Wayne Curtis doing battle with Ron Moore and Steve Kliendienst, David and Wayne had combined well all day and had managed to construct a narrow two shot lead over Ron and Steve leading 17-15 with one end to be played. However, Ron and Steve found a way to secure the necessary three shots and take the match 18-17. The quarter and semi-finals will be contested on Saturday 2nd July. The quarter and semi-finals of the mixed pairs where also decided on the weekend. The quarter-finals on Saturday morning saw Kaye Mason and Martyn Wood stop the inspired run of Chris and Graham Cole with a solid 29-11 win. Marjorie Thompson and Peter Forrester proved their championship quality with an impressive 24-16 victory over Judy and Norm Sinclair. Ruthie Fletcher and Stuart Bell began brilliantly in their match against Denise Burey and Graham Meany leading ten to one after five ends. However, Denise and Graham slowly gained control of proceedings and went on to win 27-15. Judy Abbott and Steve Kliendienst overcame the tenacious pairing of Judy and Roger Pryor 20-14. The semi-finals provided the throng of spectators with two outstanding games of mixed pair’s lawn bowls. The final bowl in both games had the potential of changing the result, however after 21 exciting ends it was Denise Burey and Graham Meany who prevailed over Judy Abbott and Steve Kliendienst 20-18; while Marjorie Thompson and Peter Forrester managed to overcome the indomitable duo of Kaye Mason and Martyn Wood 20-17. The date of the final will be determined in the near future. The Yamba Bowling and Recreation Club will host the Zone One Grade 4, 5 and 6 Pennant play-offs on the weekend of June 25-26. This event will lead into the Grade 3 State Pennant finals to be held at the Club at the end of July when all 16 zones will be represented bringing hundreds of competitors, support staff and supporters to the area for three days of high quality lawn bowls. Please check the notice board for details. A reminder that the next travelling bowlers foray is a trip to Urunga and Macksville on the weekend of July 9-10. A participation sheet, with all details, is on the Travelling Bowler’s noticeboard. This trip will be followed by a visit by the Queensland Veterans on Saturday 20th August and a reciprocal visit to Yamba by the Park Beach Pirates on Sunday 28th August. Social bowls continues with pairs 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 8th June: Winners: Alan Reed and Ray Schafer. Runners-Up: Ron Clay and Richard Grandison. Consolation: Stuart Bell and Ron Gildersleeve. Friday 10th June: Winners: Joe Graham, Peter Glover and Frank Pate. Runners-Up: Len Grimes, Vern Gheller and Greg Johnson. Consolation: Vern Nielsen and Bob McKibbin (pairs game). Don Freeman