Sunday Bowls, with ‘Pistol Pete’. 

Matt Quill and Ruby Stockings stood out on a drizzly morning at Sporties as they joined 17 others who were not put-off by the misty precipitation.

Matt and Ruby took the mat with Steve Kelly and John Cole in a Pairs game for the ages. The first-time pair against two blokes who have played many times together engaged in a war of attrition in the first half - four ends each; five shots apiece. Something happened at “drinks” and Steve and John are still trying to figure out what it was! Matt and Ruby began with a double on nine followed by another five of the same as they steam-rolled to victory!

A good four count on the second end gave John Kennedy, Allan Stratford and Pete Ruzans a great start against Sue McCuley, Roger Sherwin and Graham Ross but it was the latter trio who proved consistently steadier and with a triple on the eighth they led 10-6.

Not to be outdone, a triple on the ninth plus a single on the 10th by Pete and his side, evened it up, but then Graham and his lot replied with another triple count to again take a lead and blew it out by six after end 13. The fortunes swung again as Pete’s crew bagged a double, and then a big five and a one-shot lead with one to play.

Holding three shots John, Al and Pete breathed a huge sigh when Graham’s last bowl missed “by a paper width”, allowing the J,A,P combo, to win 20-16!

Pat Sherwin, Shirley Marchant and Pete Sinclair took five of the first eight ends from Ron McCauley, Chris Strojny and Rob Pfeiffer, but still trailed by one. Ron rolled many bowls to the Jack leaving Chris and Rob a much easier job to consolidate his good work.

One-up and with confidence high, they had good expectations of securing a win, however, a nice quadruple on the ninth boosted Pat, Shirley and Pete to a three shot lead. 12 shots each on end 11, the game was wide open. Pete’s side made the first move with a triple on 12, then constructed a huge five on 14 to all but put paid to the chances of Ron, Chris and Rob. After that quintuplet on 14 they were seven shots behind with only two ends to make the final score 22-14 and second place for the morning.

Chris Castlehouse became the Swinger for the day, bouncing between Vicki Hummel and Bryan O’Sullivan and Mel Giddings with Ian Humphries. Showing no favours, Chris observed Vicki and Bryan compile seven shots and, although Mel and Ian gathered more ends, they were one behind at the turn. Vicki and Bryan got most of the chocolates after levelling at 8-all on the eleventh. Chris played her role without fear, as “V&B” bagged nine, leaving Mel and Ian pondering after their 17-9 loss. Vicki and Bryan were awarded third for the day