Another great week of bowls at the Yamba Bowling and Recreation Club. The semi-finals and final of the 2016 Yamba Triples Championships were contested on Saturday with bowlers having to brave some rather testing weather conditions. The morning semi-finals had Allan Parker, Norm Sinclair and Graham Meany up against Wayne Curtis, Ray Schafer and Alan Abbott. Alan’s team established a commanding lead midway through the match however a spirited fight back by Graham’s team inspired by Allan Parker closed the gap with the score at 23-21 with one end to play. However, it was Alan’s team that managed to advance to the final on the back of a 25-21 victory. In the other semi-final Brad Johnson and his team of Don Freeman and Bill McDonald started well to have favourites Mark Scobie, Trevor Bardsley and Bob Ballantyne under a little pressure with the score 5-7 when the skies opened forcing the bowlers from the greens. After the break it was all one-way traffic with Mark, Trevor and Bob dominating play and advancing the score board with monotonous regularity. Try as they may, Brad and his team could not find a way to hold the mat for longer than one end at a time. Trevor Bardsley bowled particularly well throughout the game, in spite the conditions, and it was Trevor, Mark and Bob who claimed the well deserved and prevailing 27-11 victory to progress to the final. The boisterous crowd who braved the conditions were treated to an outstanding match in the final with six talented bowlers on the green. Wayne Curtis, Ray Schafer and Alan Abbott fought hard to establish a narrow but significant lead mid way through a low scoring match. Mark, Trevor and Bob played well and frequently held shots only to see Alan deny them away in his unique but skilful style. On the final end of the game Mark, Trevor and Bob required a minor miracle in scoring a six to force an extra end. Strangely the opportunity, albeit requiring a truly magnificent shot, was presented to Bob with the final bowl of the day. Spectators held their breath as the bowl hit its target only to witness the disappointment as a little too much weight forced a number of bowls out of the head. The result being the 2016 Yamba Major Triples Championship going to Wayne Curtis, Ray Schafer and Alan Abbott with a final score of 20-16. On Sunday 7th February, four of the club’s Pennant grades had a successful trial against Maclean. The Grade 6 and 7 sides commence their 2016 season on Saturday 20th February with the remaining grades hosting a trial with Park Beach on the same day. Bowlers are reminded to check the Pennant board for selections. The district triples championships will be contested at Brooms Head on 13 and 14 February with Yamba again well represented in all three categories of play. We wish all Yamba teams the best of luck. Sunday 14th February will also be the day for the Valentine’s mixed social bowls commencing at 1pm. A nomination sheet is on the notice board. The nomination sheet for the 2016 Yamba Major Pairs Championship is also on the notice board with nominations closing on Wednesday 17th February at 4.30pm. 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 are: Wednesday 3rd February: Winners: Trevor Bardsley and Bob Ballantyne. Runners-Up: Ron Clay and Darryl Beadman. Consolation: Adrian Bender and Graham Meany Friday 5th February: Winners: Glenn Franklin, John Parkinson and Alan Reed. Runners-Up: Vern Nielsen, Bill Cox and Peter Forrester. Consolation: Gordon Anyon-Smith, Ivan Bell and Allan Marr. Don Freeman