Players came from as far afield as Sydney, Junee, Canberra and Melbourne to name a few.

A field of 28 teams competed and the rinks were filled with close contests where one missed shot could make or break your weekend. The closeness of many of the matches and the ability of some of the bowlers in the Tournament ensured that the spectators enjoyed every moment.

The final placings were not decided until the last round was completed with a couple of teams falling at the last hurdle and others showing their best form at the end of the tournament. The winners were Ross Foran from Albion Park Rail, Troy Ford from Dapto Citizens, Corey Thompson from Albion Park Rail and Ben Ford (skip) from Wisemans Park who showed great form throughout the Tournament to remain undefeated with five wins and a margin of 95 shots.

Second place with five wins and a margin of 87 shots went to Andrew Hurst, Jaidyn Cartledge, Wade Turner and Robert Craven (skip) from Queanbeyan RSL Bowling Club.

Third place with five wins and a 65 shot margin went to Adam Schofield, Murray Sheather, Steve Wills and Brad Rossiter (skip) from Kiama.

In fourth place, with five wins and a 63 shot margin were John Callaway and Dave Kember from Dapto Citizens, Phil Reynolds from Corrimal and Matty Miles from Dapto Citizens.

The fifth placed team was John Desmet, Matt Dart, Jeff Rankin and Shane Quinlivan (skip) from Moruya with four wins and a 48 shot margin. Well done to all the teams who helped make the tournament so competitive. We look forward to seeing you back next year.

A tournament like the Blue Water Fours could not be held without the generous sponsorship of the Narooma Sporting and Services Club which is much appreciated. Merrie, Pam and Sue did all the work in the background helping to make the tournament run smoothly.

Thanks to the umpires for their diligent service and thanks again to to Dawn and Clare and the Women’s Bowling Club who provided the wonderful salads and helpers at the BBQ. Thanks to Col and Neville who made sure the succulent Rapley’ Midtown Quality Meat’s hamburgers and steak sandwiches were cooked to perfection and to Gail and Tony who were up early to cook the bacon and egg breakfasts.

Thank you to Brendan and the office and bar staff who catered for all the needs of the bowlers. In particular a big thank you to Robbie and the very able staff for producing the greens in such great order.

Ken Lee Memorial Trophy

As part of the Blue Water Fours a trophy in memory of big Kenny Lee was played for by teams with Narooma or Junee players in them. Ken was a well known and much liked Narooma Club member who loved to participate in the Blue Water Fours and it was fitting that his family and friends decided that his Memorial Trophy should be played for in this event.

The winners of the Memorial Trophy were the Narooma team of Graham Cummins, Tony Palmer, Greg Ryan and Ray Gale (skip) with three wins and a 13 shot margin.

Well done to your team Ray. I know Kenny’s family and friends were very happy with the result.

Despite it being a grey, wintry morning last Tuesday the light drizzle in the air was not sufficient to deter 21 bowlers from the green for two games of pairs and 2 triples where birthday girl Lorraine Mitchell shared the lead duties with Maureen Findlay in their game.

Dawn Kenny produced the winning ticket to collect the raffle prize of a lovely meat tray donated by Rapley’s Meats.

Rink three was drawn for the lucky rink, where Denise Holman and Gail Palmer (skip) combined well to lead early in their game against Sue Bender and Kerry Ferguson (skip) and then consolidated the lead for a good win and the day’s prize.

Clouds and a very cool breeze didn’t deter 40 Monday bowlers including the long awaited return of a “fitter” Marty Turner where the points system was the game decider and a fine score of 22½ saw the winners in violin playing comic’s boy Ken, the “fitter” Marty and Peter the Pom from the runners-up on 21 points in John Stove-man, Danny Boy and Paul Ute-der.

The conditions making it too hard for a resting toucher and the $343 jackpot didn’t go off. Wrong bias sinners were Bruce Cover-kins (2), Ex.PM Neil, Punter Alan, Pat, Ron Jim or Harold and Danny-boy while the raffle prizes went to Windy Ray, Browny, John Oar-ley and Ken Bennie. Bob PD gave a fine speech which received a rousing farewell applause wishing him and Ina well in their Tea Garden. Our thoughts are with Bill Cartwright as he undergoes a triple by-pass in Canberra and also with Scarf-man Jack Harris who we hope will be back on the green soon.

Thursday’s sunny conditions were slightly warmer than Monday but as the afternoon wore on it turned out cool and maybe caused numbers to be down to 20 where once again “secret ends” decided the winners on 11 points - Hookara Wort and Punter Alan from the runners-up on 10 points in visitors Ron (Apple) Orchard and Geoff (miler) Landy.

The conditions didn’t stop our Pat, Ron, Jim or Harold from scoring the first resting toucher but the $283 jackpot was not claimed. Wrong bias sinners included visitor Geoff and Ex.PM Neil who was awarded an honourary resting toucher prize that he could donate it straight back while the raffle prizes went visitor Geoff, back-room boy George, number caller Marg Joiner, Pete Mur-100, Jimmy H and Mayor Brian.

Due to lack of entries the team sheet is still out for the major triples so names down please for the start of proceedings a week later on June 17.

There was intermittent rain, which our gardens and farmers loved, but we did manage to make it on to the greens for a game. Winners, chosen by lucky rinks, were lead Judy Betts, second Olwyn Mayer and skip Margie Brown with Gail Farrell and Pat Barklem as runners-up. Pat Barklem was closest to the spider. Congratulations to all bowlers.

Maureen McKenzie and Kath Ryan took home the raffle prizes and Chris Hansen celebrated a birthday. Marg Laker was awarded a 10-year badge. Lyn Goldsmith was welcomed home and back to the writing desk.

The final of the Championship Pairs was postponed due to wet weather but should be completed as we go to press. The Championship Triples is scheduled to begin June 19.

The Annual General Meeting of the Dalmeny Women’s Bowling Club will be held on July 25 at 10am. Nominations are open for the Committee and Executive positions. Please consider how you could contribute to your local club and encourage other members to nominate for positions. 

Stan Peck, at the fine age of 84, is the 2018 Tuross Head Men’s Bowling Club Champion after a gripping Major Singles Final against John Monks.

This was a wonderful game with incredible swings in momentum. However, while the advantage fluctuated throughout the 40 ends played, the one constant was the very high standard of play from both players.

Peck held the advantage in the early ends – Monks didn’t score his first shot until the 6^th end. This made the score 6-1 and was the beginning of a period where the players shared the ends. Monks gradually narrowed the gap and by the 15th end the scores were locked at 11-all.

Monks then had a period of domination – on the scoreboard at least. He won 10 of the next 14 ends with some outstanding play. He needed to play some excellent bowls to counter Peck’s good play. He did this and set up what looked like a matching winning 27-15 lead after 29 ends.

Those spectators who left at this stage missed out on some very special play. While the standard of play from both players continued at a high level the momentum swung In Peck’s favour. He played several memorial bowls as he grabbed the advantage. On the 30th end, and again on the 35th end, he played beautifully weighted shots to move Monks’ closest bowl to give him three shots. In the context of the game these shots were crucial as there were only five scores of 3 in the 40 ends. Despite his best efforts Monks could not turn the momentum. He played several wonderful bowls to limit the damage but he was only able to win one of the last eleven ends. Peck had control and he was able to keep the pressure on with very few stray bowls. Peck grabbed victory on the 40th end, winning 31-28.

Congratulations to both men who played extremely well. It is the second time Peck has been crowned Club Champion and is a wonderful achievement in his 85th year.