Bowls at the 'MAC'

Saturday – nice morning for rolling a bowl in the Fabulous Fours Championship. The contest were quite close as the best of the 8 teams showed why they were still in it.
Next Saturday will be time off for the Fours as the Pennant teams get together playing trial games to see if the selectors got it right. There will be confirmation of the who plays where and when in the next couple of days.

Ya all know I is a RAT

At the ‘MAC’ in the beginnings of 2020 – we are so fortunate as we only need to suffer from quite warmish days, sometimes the days are filled with dust, sometimes smoke and other times both. Yet there are some not happy, but – we are fortunate that we do reside here in Dubbo and have the opportunity to roll a bowl and forget all the dramas happening along our coastal areas – well for a couple of hours at least. Of course, we all do feel for those bravely fighting a battle nigh on impossible of winning, we do feel for those that have lost the battle completely.

Along with the smoke, the wind and a somewhat relief temperature-wise at the time of writing, we had better find out what was at the green of the ‘MAC’ during the morning of the day called Sunday. Almost 40 rollers rocked up and prepared for what we call bowling.

In a pretty even match apart from the score, Mick Pilon, Ian Moses and Mick Schofield showed that winning aint everything as they let Col Beazley, Bob Storch and Keith Fernando (yep – Keith Fernando makes his debut) do the scoring to win 20 shots to 12 although it was 8 ends each.
Eric Chamberlain teamed with Greg McEwan and Geoffro Kent to prove they are a team as they ended the hopes of John McDonald, Trevor Tink and Lyndsay Burden winning by posting 23 shots to 11 and 9 ends on the card – take that!
Seems that high scoring is the way, Ted Mortimer and John Schreiber got together but to no avail as Al Nutton (back from frolicking on some holiday thing) and Pete Kelly had their bowls zinging up and down the rink to record a 21 to 11, 10 ends to 6 win.
Aaah – that Chooka fella is back on the green, on this occasion he played with Aaron Hutchins and Rob Haigh. However, Shane Large (with a disfigured thumb) teamed up with Brendan Emery and Mick Williams to put to rest any thought the others might have had of winning. 27 shots to13 it was when the final whistle sounded and using the mat 10 out of the 16 ends available.
In yet another high scoring action, John Smith, Steve Davis and Noel Hogden could not match Dick Davis, Roger Webber and Maurie Cole. The latter only needing 10 ends to put 22 shots on the scorecard compared to 6 shots (yep – just 6 shots) of the others. Consistency certainly helped the winners.
What might have been for Ray Cross, Steve Ryan and Troy Mortimer was only a dream away as Aaron Semmler, Pete Ruzans and Jono Davis showed how to do it. Putting together a 4 shot end at the last made the score a lot more reasonable for the dreamers as they were forced into defeat 8 shots to 16 and using the mat only 5 times.
The money team on the day, Terry Althofer, Tony Coady and Rick Lane were way too good for Eric Fitzgerald, Ernie Tink and Digger Gray – and like way too good as they scored relentlessly over the 14 times they had the mat. Team Digger did okay to put 5 shots together in 2 ends, but as we all know – no mat no win. 25 to 5, 14 ends to 2 the result that gave them the cash for the day.
Some of the bowlers showed off somewhat by placing a bowl right against that little white thing known as the Jack. The Chook started it all off at 9-45, followed by Rob Haigh at 9-50, not to be outdone Geoffro Kent did it at 10-30, then John Schreiber put a pink bowl on it at 11-10, of course Col Beazley showed anyone can do it – him at 11-20, then Burdo – gosh anyone can do it and he did it at 11-40.
As the temperature continued to rise, all the bowlers were so happy to file back into the club for a well earned cooling off, refreshments and chin-wagging. The bottom green getting good after its refurb a few weeks back, makes for some very good bowling.

This coming Saturday the place will have the first of the Championships happening as the Fabulous Fours take to the green.
Later this week the initial Pennant sides will be revealed for a trial lot of games to be played January 25.
The Thursday social bowls start their year this week, one lot at 9-30am then the other lot at 6pm, anyone into bowling (which is supposed to be fun) can rock up half hour before to sign in.
Made up by the big RAT.

The ‘MAC’ is back – back into a new year and Happy New Year to all.
I would like us all to be giving the biggest PRAISE for those thousands and many that are placing their lives, their time and energies into battling something so very horrible and something almost impossible to conquer. Unfortunately for many, the battle has been lost, the battle continues without an end in sight. We at the ‘MAC’ send our deepest sympathy to those that have their lives, their livelihood and their treasures destroyed over the past weeks, and to those that are doing the fighting – our biggest THANKS to you all.
There is but one outcome from all this – a renewal of life, both for the bush and people. A tragedy it is, we are in Australia!

The ‘MAC’ is back into bowling with the first event sorted and posted. The Club Fours commences this coming week, please make note of your playing times and dates. With 16 teams taking part, the Rats are achieving already.
Thursday Social bowls commences next Thursday (both morning and evenings). Sunday Socials continue their merry ways each week.
Pennant teams have been selected for a trial Saturday 25th January, it was proposed to be against West Dubbo, but this is yet to be confirmed, and should be posted later next week.
The greenkeeper has done his job with the bottom green, it now needing to be played in. Now the top green is under the revamp thing and will probably be out of action for a few weeks.
The River Rat Easter Carnival tournament is now open for nominations, both for the Friday Pairs and the Saturday Triples. It will fill fast, so get ya names in and on the sheet as soon as or ya might miss out.
The Club Event booklet should be available by end next week and check the board for upcoming stuff happening on the hallowed greens of the ‘MAC’.

Til later - from a big rat!!

The ‘MAC’ has finally wound down for the year that was. For the most, it (the year) has been quite an adventure with the re-birth of one club in this here town of Dubbo. As much as it is a little club in size, it is showing a powerful punch with a great number of bowlers choosing to become the “River Rats” for the year to be.

Social bowls has been altered for the Xmas/New Year period – Sunday Socials will be played 29th December and 5th January (the first of the months of the new year to be), Thursday Socials will be stood down and begin again 9th January. Keep these dates on your memory thing, as you may be busting to have a roll by then.

The 2020 Pennant draw has been published, some surprises amongst. The River Rat selectors have done their job, having selected the teams for the trial games to be played against West Dubbo January 25th next year. The selections are being kept secret for the time being and will be posted in the new year. Pennants start February 29th with a Saturday/Sunday double header.

The first Club event – the Club Fours – has been filled and teams will be selected in the coming week or so and will be posted as soon as the selectors/match committee release their findings. The first round will start Saturday January 11th.

A booklet has been produced and will be handed out to all bowlers in the new year. This booklet shows all the dates for the 2020 year keeping everyone informed as to what is/will be.

The Zone Championship nominations are current, those wishing to enter can let me know as soon as so you can have choice of your preferred venue.

I would like to congratulate the Parkes lot for winning the right to host a State Pennant Final next year. This is great for bowls on this side of the Mountain, and hopefully more of our Clubs will nominate and conduct more State Pennants Finals in years to come.

Other than this, it was pleasing to be surrounded by the ‘Rats of the MAC’ – well for the most, and appreciation must be had for the volunteers that put in the work to not only keep the place going, but constantly make small improvements week by week. The keeper of the greens has done a great job in keeping the greens green even in the current times of dryness. The ‘MAC’ is definitely the best little Club about – it aint great yet, but it is the best! Facebook – well it is becoming a very informative medium now for bowls. Many Clubs are using it to promote and inform, that is good for all bowls in our areas, thanks to those that spend the time to post their stuff, it does take time and quite some work, keep it up.

So, Merry Xmas to all, Happy New Year, and stay safe in all you will be doing during your break. A big THANKS to those that are combatting the fires, takes a lot of nerve and effort to front the flames of destruction especially at this time of year.

Seeya!

Kinda designed/produced/edited & shared by the RAT writer

Another smokingly warm day ahead by the looks of it. The taste of fire is stronger this here morning, not a lot we can do about it. With summer coming on with a bit of a bite, the mind flashes back to the days when I was the youngen’, when I walked down to the pool each day of the school hols, the bitumen burning the feet, the sun doing what it is so good at. I am here now, must been okay to do all that stuff as a kid – like getting out in the sun, like being active, like having fun, and like being polite, respectful and frightened of consequences. These days – well technology has advanced and given us smart this that and the other, all the stuff available is now smarter than we are hence we need it all. Mind you – we did not seem to have as many drongoes back then, but I guess some of the smart devices let us know and see the mongrels within the bounds of society more often.

Anyways enough of that – living here and now! The year has kinda pushed itself towards it’s own demise, and as each day blended into the next we all did what we – well whatever! The first 6 months of the tour-of-duty as a bowls sec’ was enlightening to say the least. Enjoyable when stuff goes down good, and yeah – you know the other side to the saying. The good old Facebook has kinda kept me going – another smart thing to navigate around, but it’s the times!

The ‘MAC’ has been a great home to the bowlers, its been the best little club about. After a beginning to the year that caused a bit of a flutter to many (and worse for a lot of others), fortunes turned and the ‘MAC’ (as it is affectionally termed now) opened its doors, opened its hearts and let the rollers of Railway in. Since that fateful day in February, the lads and fellas have bonded well, and developed into what I say is the best little club about. The ‘River Rats’ – a name that will get known by those that fear defeat, a name that will resonate in bowlers’ minds.

The River Rats and bowlers from the other 2 clubs in town need to combine to promote Dubbo as the hub of Lawn Bowls this side of the mountain. The combined strength of all bowlers in our regions will eventually get what is needed – the departure from that Sydney and Coastal mega club mentality that deprives us all from also being recognised as good clubs with great bowlers – without being rich in $$$$$.

Thinks I have written enough – just a reminder for the River Rats, social bowls is still happening for the next week and more. The Club Fours will commence January 11th – that is in the new year that happens to roll around, and our Pennant trial against West Dubbo is set down for January 25th of the same year.
To all those I have come across through the year, to all the rollers (and some rockers), to those that grace the pages – thanks for the good times had and have a Merry Xmas and Happy New Year. (bu**er the happy holiday rubbish hey!!!)

Due to the warmth of the day, the Saturday Presentation is as ...

The last of the main matches has now been played and won. A kinda smoky day it was, but our bowlers are resilient and up to most adversities. Not really gonna write much as the score card does tell the story. A game certainly worth the watch, a game both sides will remember for some time.

While this game happened, the social variety of bowlers did roll a bowl and more along the green for something to do – or was it raise a thirst? Either way, they did enjoy both. Back in the club, the bowlers were surprised to learn that some hams were given away – some 20 of them in fact. And one would have to feel glum, 18 bowlers missed out, the other 20 were over-the-moon at being able to wander back to their joint with a ham offering. Not a bad idea! The other big winners for the day with a 13 end to 3 tossing, Al Nutton, Dick Davis and Mick Schofield did the tossing of Dan Pratt, Sonny Hall and John Skinner. And its is okay to be a second placed lot, Ian Moses, Jono and Johnny Schreiber just grabbed the dregs.

With bowls at the ‘MAC’ kinda winding down for the year like most other clubs, the main attractions are the Dubbo Men’s Shed annual bowls challenge being played Tuesday (tomorrow), the Club presentation day being held the coming Saturday with a good crowd already indicated their appearance. Should be a great way to wind up the year.

Social bowls will continue for a while yet, Thursday mornings and Thursday barefoot bowls, as well as the Sunday social bang.

But we are looking at the new year already with the nominations for the Club Fours on the notice board – noms will close December 31, play scheduled to begin Saturday January 11. If your name aint on the list yet – rumble down to the ‘MAC’ and put it on the list.

Anyone interested in the Zone Fours and Singles Challenges, again the nomination forms are on the board – only a few weeks left with the Fours closing Sunday January 9, the Singles closing Friday January 31. For those willing – hustle!

Anyone interested in playing Pennants next year – the noms sheet is on the board. The selectors will soon be picking sides, the River Rats looking at entering 6 grades. The first and only Pennant Trial games will be against West Dubbo, with some teams played at their venue and some at the ‘MAC’. Again – if ya interested ya better hustle and get ya names on the list.

Kinda designed/produced/edited & shared by the RAT writer

It’s a dream world …. The editor-in-chief decided to send this one fella down to the ;MAC’ to see what all the fuss is about on a Friday arvo/evening/night, and while the one fella is there, he may as well check out the bowls!! And he – the editor-in-chief – said that it was an important time for the folk that were playing as it is their semi-finals. “WoW” I thought, this could be good stuff. And yes, gotta admit, it was good stuff (not withstanding the aftermath happenings …. ).

The first of the semi’s – two of the gun sides lined up on the bank of the green, quietly contemplating what lay ahead. Jordan Davis – keeps to himself most of the time, a proud family bloke that can toss a bowl or two when needed, he was teamed with Dan Smith – the looka-aftera-of-the-greens, having rested from his toils of the day he was ready. Cooper McMullen, almost on holidays, bright and bubbly, he was teamed with Joshua – naa not that Joshua, THAT Joshua, the Andriske one. Josh is known for his quiet temperament and poker face when bowling, nerves of cool steel he has. Anyway, enough of all the crap, what happened when they were playing each other? It was a game of cut and thrust, Jordan getting there then Cooper matching, Dan getting there and Josh matching. The final score kinda does not really reflect the game, both sides putting what they could to edge out the other. End 12, it was 10 all, time for one side to shine. That team was the Josh/Cooper duo as they drew ahead with a couple of multiple scores. Dan and Jordan began to faulter, the pressure just too much or maybe that other team was too good on this day – in fact they were. Cooper and Josh will advance to the FINAL after the 10 ends to 9, 22 to 12 win. Look out anyone that tries – this team is pretty good!

The second and last of the semi-final games. Two teams that kinda kept themselves below the horizon but did enough in their past games to get this far. However, one team will be going away not a winner – or so it seemed. Bobby Storch – busy little tyke this one, doing the bowls thing before having to party on, Johnny Schreiber – the Schreibs, the master of the pink ladies (most of the time), willing and able. A youthful looking lad, Brendan Emery enjoys his bowls, he has come some ways to be a pretty handy kinda fella (and bowler) was playing with Craig Jeffery – Jeffers (not anything to do with jaffers), the bowler-of-the-year last year at the old Railway Club, a winner of many titles in his illustrious career in bowling, the CJ of the DJ stuff. Anyways – he was down to bowl on this evening. As we all know, the first few ends all players try to find a good track to use and experiment some so as to get the ultimate advantage. End 4 had the teams locked at 3 all, no real drama yet, or was there! Something happened to Brendo and Jeffers, could have been the wind or just great bowling by both Bobby and Johnny, but to be stuck on 3 for 6 ends in a row??? What must they have been thinking? Maybe they – Brendo and Jeffers did have a bit of luck though as the scores against them were singles, not the damaging multiples. End 9 and 9-3 to Bobby and Johnny. Oooh – look out, a 3 multiple score on end 12! Jeffers started to get his aim, his line, his length and all that good stuff, the 3 cutting the deficit to 2. Ooooh - not good, end 14 proved quite fatal for Bobby and Johnny with a 5 shot score against them, followed by a 2 to put them into a deficit – 4 shots. They were not done, they put together a 3 and a 1 to even the card up at 15 all on end 17. The end was drawing nearer, one team will have to go away, one team will bask in the glory – but who! The Bobby/Johnny show gritted their teeth and remained calm as they forged to a 17-15 lead on end 19. Gosh and the watchers said the same thing. Hey – a big kill, on end 20 Jeffers let one fly and he connected many of the bowls, hurling them all over the place – almost Jono-like, and the replay of that end netted them a 4 shot score to have them back in the lead 19-17 with one end to play. The tension was showing, the watchers chewing their nails down to the roots, and think of the bowlers – what pressure/tensions are they going through? A 2 shot margin, 2 shots to force a golden point scenario, and on the other side of the ledger, just gotta get close and in the count, not letting them get a multiple now. And so it was, another day at the ‘MAC’, another day – well it was night now, to enjoy the fruits of whatever. So with the bowls over and done with, refreshments, raffles, meat trays, hams, singing, dancing (for some), chin-wagging and all that good stuff that takes over at the ‘MAC’ on a Friday night.
Ooops, better mention that Bobby and Johnny fell short of putting the match into golden point by about 1.768mm. They managed to score a 1, but so terribly close to getting the required second shot. Jeffers and Brendo sighed in disbelief as now they have to give attention to their next match – the FINAL, against THE Cooper McMullen and THE Josh Andriske, to be played on the bowling green at the ‘MAC’ on Sunday (tomorrow) scheduled for a 1pm start.

Kinda designed/produced/edited & shared by the RAT writer

the 'MAC' goings on