Sundee morning bowls, contributed by Pistol Pete

While panthers and Eels fans were waking up to the reality of a first “western Sydney NRL Derby”, Dubbo’s Combo Bowlers were rubbing their eyes at the sun.

Our correspondent Pistol Pete was up with the chooks to down a coffee and head onto the synthetics at RSL Sporties North Dubbo!

A new record – 46 bowlers, all happy and wanting to be winners on such a nice morning.

Ron Morrison, Steve Kelly and Pete Sinclair on rink 1 started strongly and let Helen Emblen, Doc Livingston and Greg Brown by five before they coughed up two on the eighth end.

The second half ebbed and flowed, both teams trying to gain a decisive advantage. Ron and Co sealed it with four and three on the last two to claim victory 19-12.

In a game that had quite a few multiple scores, Mary Perry, Roger Sherwin and Tod O’Dea, were rolling against Leo Balstad, Gaye Cottee and Col Dover. The latter struck the first blow but Tod’s side rolled a triple on three followed by a huge five on the next. Their seven shot lead was pared back when Col and his team grabbed their own quadruple and then added three more on End 9 hots on end 9 and a massive six on end 13.

A bit of pressure applied by Mary, Roger and Tod almost caused a boil over, scoring five shots from ends 10 to 14. In a tense finale, Col and his partners closed it out with a triple on the last – 20-17 final score.

Ray Strawhan, Julie Brown and John Davis were no match for Vicki Hummel, Frank Armstrong and Eric Satchell. The first dagger came from Eric’s side – a four on end 4 handed them a six shot lead. Another quad on the next and it was to be end Six before their opponent’s rolled in a triple to gain a glimmer of hope. Unfortunately, John’s side could not recover, closing their last ends with just four shots, while Vicki, Frank and Eric carded another triple and a single to record a decisive 24-11 win.

Shirley Marchant was the lead for Chris Strojny and Paul Goodstat added a big five on End 4 to lead Allan Andriske, Gordon Lummis and Chris Cristante. The chasers recovered somewhat, scoring on the last four ends of the first half.

Paul’s team’s lead stayed at three until end 12 and they were beginning to think “win”. Allan and Gordon and Chris had other ideas, scoring a count a double on 13 and a triple on the next to grab the lead for the first time.

It was a ‘see-to-be-believed’ effort by Allan, Gordon and Chris on the last end, combining for a game-taking eight shots and an incredible 22 shots to 13 result. Joy for Chris’s side; headshakes of disbelief from Shirley, Chris and Paul.

Ron Millgate, Pete Bennison and Mick Strawhan versus Doug Aldis, Pat Sherwin and John Cole. Result not clear.

Sue McCauley, Mel Giddings and John Hayden against Sue O’Dea, Karen Greenhalge and Debbie Hayden. Hubby John side shocked “the others” with a 7 shot count nearing the turnaround but wife Debbie was not settling for this, urging her side to do better. They did – a triple and a couple of singles to get them near the lead.

But John’s side led comfortably by four shots at the turnaround. Game of two halves... Debbie and her team rallied, putting in a double and then a 4 on ends 9 and 10 to take over the lead; John’s side followed up with a single, but the sun was shining over Sue, Karen and Debbie and End 12 they rewarded themselves with a six shot haul. Despite some clawback, “the wife” and her partners downed “hubby” 21-16.

Playing against Sue Armstrong, Dave Davis and Col Cottee, the team of Ron McCauley, Pete Ruzans and Ricky See rolled off to a bright opening with a five shot lead after two ends, however Col’s side replied and added one with their six on six! They added two more by halfway. Rick’s team hit back with a five; Col’s team did the same plus three and held off the opposition to win 18-15.

Cooper McMullen and Gordon Scott paired up against Allan Stratford and Greg Hough. After an even first eight, Cooper and Gordon clicked into gear, adding three shots to lead after 10 and another 11 with two ends remaining. Coop and Gordon took the game 23 shots to 9; 11 ends to 5.

Winners and runners up are in the hands of “the bunker” at time of writing.

Resters – Col Dover, Mel Giddings, Karen Greenhalge, Ron McCauley and Allan Stratford.

Lucky numbers – Chris Strojny, Allan Stratford and Sue McCauley.