The Hills BOWLS BUZZ 
Issue 13 February 2008
Men’s Bowling Club News
The Men’s Club Championships have got off to a slow start with most of the first round of matches being delayed either due to rain or players’ Zone representation commitments. The persistent recent rain is also having an effect on our social bowlers with numerous social bowls events being washed out across the past few weeks. You may have noticed that a few of our bowlers showing signs of strange behaviour over recent days, but I am assured that this behaviour can simply be attributed to the bowlers suffering from withdrawal symptoms.
Some Pennant sides were able to take part in a Pennant trial at the start of the month (while some others were washed out). Our Grade 3, 5 and 7(2) teams visited Riverstone and came away with wins in the 3’s and 7’s while the Grade 4 team had a victory down the road at Northmead. The trials continue through mid-February against Terrigal (9th) and Avoca (16th), along with a couple of internal matches. The State Pennant season begins in earnest on Saturday 23rd February – in the opening round, we have our top two Pennant sides (Grades 1 & 2) both playing at home on the ‘new’ Green No. 3.
Women’s Bowling Club News
The Women’s Consistency Final for 2007 was played on the 15th January. There was only four points the difference in the final score made for an exciting match. The winner was Wendy Byers and the runner up was Norma Bratz.
The 2008 Club Championships commenced on the 4th February, with the first round of the Women’s Fours.
Congratulations to Wendy Byers and Pat Greene who have been selected to play in the Lorna Atkinson Trophy, on the 19th & 20th February at Carlingford Bowling Club.
Vale – Jack Ackling (1927 – 2008)
The month of February begun on a sad note with the loss of The
Hills Club’s No. 1 badge holder, Jack Ackling. John Charles Ackling, born in
June 1927, son of Foundation Member Vic Ackling, had been a member of the Club
since 1970 (and for a number of years before that during a short absence from
the Club). Jack was the local barber for almost half a century occupying a
store across the road from the Club in Ackling House. He was not only
passionate about the sport of bowls, he was renowned for his selfless nature, a
happy demeanour and his razor sharp wit. In recent times, he loved a pleasant
Sunday morning roll with his brother Bob (as pictured early last year).
Our thoughts and deepest sympathy are with the Ackling family during their time of loss.
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Issue 13 Page 2
Friday Nights at The Hills Club – Live Entertainment
The Hills are alive with the sounds of live music each Friday night his year. Over the coming weeks, the Club is hosting PJ & Chappo (15th Feb), Roe Zone (22nd Feb) and Lance (29th Feb). So be at the Club from 7:30pm and enjoy the company of friends along with great live entertainment. Two more reasons to be at the Club on Fridays are our Happy Hour from 5 to 6pm and the huge ‘Pack The Freezer’ raffle drawn from 7pm.
’Cock of the Walk’ Mens Singles Update
Ron Balfour remains the current ‘Cock-of-the-Walk’ singles champion after five matches. Eammon McElduff will be Ron’s next challenger.
Junior Learn to Bowl Day – A Success
The Club held a Learn to Bowl Day for Juniors on Wednesday 23rd January. Around 30 boys and girls turned out for a fun morning on the green and a sausage sizzle. Thanks to Don Hazeltine, Ted Lean, Jim Byrnes, Col Wedderburn, Jenny Smith, Dave Malcolm, Dennis Halford, Richard Cafe and Alan Gauci who provided assistance and helped make the day a success.
2008 Bowls World Championships
The 2008 World Championships wrapped up in Christchurch at the end of January with the Australian team completing a successful campaign. Led by National Coach Cameron Curtis, Australia medalled in seven of the eight events. Australia won the Taylor Trophy for the best performed Women’s team in the world and were Runners-Up to New Zealand for the Men’s Leonard Trophy. A full summary of results are below and most of these Finals are being shown on ABC1 on Saturday mornings from 11am.
MENS
· Singles: Gold – S. Said (Mal.); Silver – A. Sherriff (Aus.); Bronze – R. Bester (Can.); A. Forsyth (NZ)
· Pairs: Gold – R. Meyer, G. Lawson (NZ); Silver – (Scot.); Bronze – A. Sherriff; N. Rice (Aus.); (Mal.)
· Triples: Gold – W. Hogg, W. Wood, D. Peacock (Scot.); Silver – (Fiji); Bronze – (Canada); (Malaysia)
· Fours: Gold – A. Todd, R. Girvan, R. Meyer, G. Lawson (NZ); Silver – B. Cornehls, W. Turley, N. Rice, M.Casey (Aus.); Bronze – (England); (South Africa)
· Player of the Tournament – Gary Lawson (NZ) – 2 Gold Medals & Leonard Trophy winner
LADIES
· Singles: Gold – V. Smith (NZ); Silver – E. Faulkner (Eng.); Bronze – K. Cottrel (Aus.); S.Z. Ahmed (Mal.)
· Pairs: Gold – V. Smith, J. Edwards (NZ); Silver – (Eng.); Bronze – L. Armitage, K. Murphy (Aus.); (Ire.)
· Triples: Gold – S. Burns, L. Victor, L. Trigwell (Sth.Afr.); Silver – K. Cottrel, J. Keegan, C. Duke (Aus.); Bronze – (New Zealand); (Wales)
· Fours: Gold – L. Armitage; C. Duke, J. Keegan, K. Murphy (Aus.); Silver – (Wales); Bronze – (Ireland); (Malaysia)
· Player of the Tournament – Val Smith (NZ) – 2 Gold Medals
With the World Championships now complete for another four years, we look forward to Adelaide hostinga great event in 2012.
Upcoming Bowls Calendar
o Easter Weekend – Good Friday Pairs (Open Men); Easter Saturday event (The Hills Women); Easter Sunday VIP Transport Triples (The Hills Men); Easter Monday Mixed Pairs (The Hills Mixed).
Rain, Rain, Go Away…
Interesting rain statistics (as of 8th Feb.) – Total year-to-date for 2008: 262mm; Total ytd for 2007: 24mm; Average ytd all years: 229mm; Total ytd for 2008 in Melbourne: 43mm; Total ytd 2008 in Brisbane: 272mm.
Long range forecast (per BOM): Drier in third week of Feb, rain will be back early Mar., clearing mid-late Mar.