The welcome rain this week has been unfortunate for the annual Autumn Bowls Carnival held at Tuross Head. Two of the planned four days had to be called off due to the rain. It is the first time in many years that the Carnival has been affected by rain. Two of the events were completed with the mixed pairs and the open pairs played in the wonderful weather before the change arrived late on Tuesday evening.
Twenty sides competed for the Tuross Pharmacy sponsored mixed pairs with local sides dominating the results. Alan and Karen Skelton won the event with two wins and a healthy shots margin. Regular visitors from Canberra, Mort and Kate Schipp, were the runners up while Peter and Irene Macdonald came third. Ray and Margaret Downey had the best last game margin and took home the final prize
Twenty two sides competed for the Hallmark Real Estate Open Pairs with visiting teams taking out the major prizes. The event was very evenly contested with only four teams managing to win all three of their games. Chris Godwin from Ulladulla teamed with Michael Corby from Canberra to take out the major prize. They survived a big scare in their final game against locals Doreen Monks and Sue Fahey where they trailed until picking up 5 shots on the second last end. Overall they had 3 wins and a margin of 28 shots to take first prize. Canberrans Dale Budnick and Shaun Allen finished strongly to take second prize with 3 wins and a margin of 25 shots.
Third place went to the local side of Bill Birch – playing in his first ever bowls carnival – and Mick Atkinson. They won their 3 games and had a points margin of plus 17. This was a great result for the duo with Birch flourishing on the guidance he is receiving from Atkinson. The best last game margin went to the pairing of Melbourne visitor, Gary Baker, and local John Fahey.
A big thanks to all of the local businesses who supported the Carnival either through sponsorships or donations for the daily raffles.
Meanwhile the 2021 Pennant season has finished on a disappointing note with both of the Tuross sides suffering big defeats by the sides that have taken out their respective grades.
The Grade 5 side travelled to Malua Bay still with the chance of grabbing the title. They needed to take all of the 10 points available to ‘pip’ the locals on the post. However, the Malua Bay side continued their dominance over Tuross in 2021 winning the encounter 9 – 1 after winning 2 of the 3 rinks. Rita Downie, Sue Fahey, Denise Lidbury and Carol Williams continued their very successful year recording the only Tuross success on the day.
The Grade 6 side hosted Braidwood and found the competition leaders far too strong. Braidwood won all three rinks and won 10 – 0. When Braidwood heard that in another match Malua Bay defeated Tomakin 10 – 0 they found that they had managed to win this grade. Unfortunately losses in their last two games cost Tomakin dearly.
Attention now turns to local Championship events with the Major Pairs to start on Saturday May 15.
Open pairs winners Michael Corby and Chris Godwin with Marlise Woodford from Hallmark Real Estate
Mixed Pairs winners Alan and Kaern Skelton.
