The finalists for the 2015 Minor Pairs Championship have been decided after a weekend of bowls that entertained the spectators, thrilled some competitors and demoralised others. The preliminary rounds were contested on Saturday with the quarter-finals and semi-finals decided on Sunday. The Saturday games feature several very close contests. Dave Atkinson and Alan Turnbull got their campaign off to a great start winning by 22 – 14 over Steve Grodzki and Norm Anderson; Neil Franey and Garry McCabe found the going against Paul Lozelle and Greg Dickman a bit tough and were eliminated 31 – 10; the father and son combination of Bob and Chris Gunning pushed Allan Marr and John Luchetti all game before being defeated by 26 – 16; Graeme Quick and Ron Moore had to wait until the final end to claim victory over John Telfer and Neil McKenzie 19 – 18; and Bob Mansfield and David Coupland persevered over Keith Smith and Andy Duke-Yonge 21 – 18 in another tight match. In the quarter-finals, Bruce Blanch and Harry Ward overcame Dave Atkinson and Alan Turnbull 19 – 15. Paul Conley and Don Freeman absorbed early pressure from Paul Lozelle and Greg Dickman before winning 25 – 17. Ivan Bell and Denis Ford defeated Allan Marr and John Luchetti 17 – 16 in a nail-biter. Graeme Quick and Ron Moore suffered a narrow defeat to the combination of Bob Mansfield and David Coupland 28 – 22. The afternoon’s semi-finals saw the ‘veterans’ Ivan Bell and Denis Ford completely dominate their match against Bob Mansfield and David Coupland to book a place in final with a 23 – 9 demolition. In the other semi-final Bruce ‘The Basher’ Blanch and ‘Hitman’ Harry Ward ensured that Paul Conley and Don Freeman had little to smile about during a bleak drizzling, wind-swept afternoon. Harry and Bruce ensured that, for the second Sunday in succession, Don went home empty handed and still in pursuit of his first title in 2015. In a high standard game of lawn bowls, ‘Hitman’ and ‘The Basher’ made every opportunity count and won convincingly 26 – 13. Harry Ward and Bruce Blanch will meet Ivan Bell and Denis Ford in the final next Sunday with the game commencing at 1pm. Thirty hardy souls ventured onto the greens on Sunday for the annual Father’s Day Mixed Social Triples in what can only be described as testing conditions. However, the music, supplied by Bob McKibbin, and the reward of a port or chocolate for any ‘toucher’ soon had the participants not caring about the weather and deeply immersed in the camaraderie and enjoyment of the day. The support from the event sponsors Mitre 10, Yamba; BWS, Yamba; and the Yamba Bowling and Recreation Club was greatly appreciated with eight lucky ‘fathers’ going home with an additional gift. A great day was had by all with the frivolity spilling over into the club raffles later in the afternoon. The nomination sheet for the 2015 Major Triples and Mixed Fours Championship are on the notice board. These events will be followed by the Men’s Handicap Fours Championships with the nomination sheet for this event to be on the notice board this week. The Tweed Heads Bowling Club will be visiting on Saturday 12th September for a day of mixed bowls fun on our great greens. Visitors are most welcomed to participate. A participation sheet is on the notice board. Social bowls continues with pairs played on Wednesday and triples on Friday. All games commence at 1.00pm 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 were: Wednesday 2nd September: Winners: Alan Reed and Joe Graham. Runners Up: Bryan Dunne, Paul Conley and Denis Ford. Consolation: Peter Dockery and George Howell. Friday 4th September: Winners: Keith Smith, Greg Dickman and Martyn Wood. Runners Up: Ray Brown, Mike Hansen and Ian Lambert. Consolation: Joe Attard, Andy Duke-Yonge and Lew Saliba. Don Freeman