A very good day for Louis Neethling with a score of 34 on a countback from Nic Appruzese 34 and Len Booroff 33.  

The ladies struggled a bit in the conditions with Jenny Hounsell 26, Tiina Randmae 25 and Lyn Muller 23.

Pin shots went to Len and Louis on 2, Vic Feldman and John Oates on 13 and Barry Mortimer and Louis Neethling on 16.  

The ladies, Jenny Hounsell on the hole on 2, Lyn Muller on 13 and 16.  

Contributed with thanks to Paula McQuat.

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Louis Neethling and Jenny Hounsell

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The Mackay Tennis Association (MTA) is a community-based tennis club located in the heart of Mackay. The club, which celebrates its centenary this year, provides opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to play tennis and enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle.

MTA is renowned for its high-quality playing surfaces and friendly community of players. The club offers various levels of tennis coaching and fixtures, including pickleball, making it a great option for players of all skill levels. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, MTA has something for everyone.

In addition to its many tennis programs, MTA also offers a fully air-conditioned clubhouse that is available for hire by local businesses, which can accommodate groups of up to 100 people. With ample parking available on site, the Mackay Tennis clubhouse is the perfect location for your next business meeting, seminar or training session. To book the clubhouse, please contact us on 0435 524 985.

As the MTA celebrates its 100-year anniversary, there has never been a better time to become part of this welcoming and inclusive community.  To celebrate 100 years of tennis in Mackay, MTA is hosting a centenary dinner on Sat 9th September.  Please contact the club if you are interested in attending.

The club is passionate about promoting an active and healthy lifestyle and is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable environment for all members.  Whether you are looking to play tennis, pickleball or hire the clubhouse for your next business function, the Mackay Tennis Association is the perfect choice. With its excellent facilities, convenient location, and friendly community of players, the MTA is the ideal place to get active and make new friends.

To become a member or find out more about the Mackay Tennis Association, please visit our website www.mackaytennis.com or contact 0435 524 985. We look forward to welcoming you to our tennis-loving community!

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Tennis in Mackay in 1920

Official opening of Mackay Tennis Association in 1923

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On Thursday at Mackay Bowls Club, Scroungers were played with Kees Stuick def Steve Cassidy  in the final. Good close bowls were played throughout the arvo.

Tuesday Social Play was cancelled due to rain.

Friday Social Play Winners

Janice Nelson, Val Edwards, Col Stevens

Runners Up

Leanne Jenner Barry Jenner, Robyn Schatkowski

Sunday Barefoot Social Bowls

Arthur Nayler, Col Marks, def Janice Nelson, Squiggles

Competition Results

E Wynd, A Shepherd, D Wootton, B Bridger def G Collum R Mroz, R Blanchard, P Taaffe 23/8

Players are reminded that the West Tiger Challenge is on Saturday March 11 starting at 1:00pm.

Nominations form is on the notice board in the clubhouse.

This weekend Club Championships Continue with games being played from Friday afternoon with the Ladies Championships Fours.

Saturday: Ladies Championships Triples, Men’s Open Fours, Men’s Open Pairs.

Sunday: Men’s Open Pairs, Men’s Open Singles.

Players are reminded to support Monthly Raffle

NRL Footy Tipping begins this weekend.

Contributed by Mike Irving

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Tuesday night fixture results February 21, 2023:

Division 1:

Donic (Andrew McHugh, Barry Patterson, Graham Drury) d Joola (Robbie Richards, Emma Widdup, Neil Brown) 7-4. Barry d Robbie -8, -4, 8, 5, 4.

Tibhar (Allan Edwards, Mick Ruhl, Vince Boeske) d Victas (Anne Sheridan, Steven Whiting, Geoff Denman) 6-5. Vince d Steven 7, -7, -9, 9, 7.

Division 2:

Andro (Janice Kent, Mark Sleeman, Will VanDeKaa) d Stiga (Graham Brake, Steve Mathieson, Matthew West) 7-6. Will d Matthew -11, 9, 9, -7, 12.

Yasaka (Ian McKay, Duncan Treloar, Peter Goodson, Lily Boland) d Radak (Lee Brake, Andrea Nicholson, George Camilleri, Delma Knight) 10-4. Duncan d Lee -9, 6, 7, -5, 13.

Division 3:

Nittaku (Steve Crocker, Coral Morgan, Duncan Sheridan) d Butterfly (Val Austin, Trent Day, Virginia Clayton) 8-3. Steve d Virginia 7, -8, 8, -13, 11.

Gewo (Victor Zhou, Tiffany Camilleri) d Xiom (Leo Gilbert, Ollie Hamelink, Donna Abbott) 6-5. Tiffany d Ollie 6, -6, 1, -9, 9.

Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday morning fixtures February 21, 2023:

Division 1:

Cockatoos (Andrea Nicholson, Steve Mathieson, Peter Goodson, Don Boettcher) d Magpies (George Camilleri, Delma Knight, Charles Hamlett) 8-6. Delma d Andrea -10, 2, 4, -5, 8.

Pelicans (Charlie Payne, Branko Vucurovic, John McGee, Veronica Shepherd) d Doves (Michael Ibbotson, Pam Joyce, Kevin Abbott, Coral Morgan) 8-6. Coral d John -5, -10, 6, 5, 8.

Division 2:

Ibis (Iris Grasso, Louise Gould, Fred Saliba) drew Parrots (Bryan Marshall, Judi Hicks) 6-all. Judi d Fred -7, 8, 7, -13, 4.

Owls (Kim Challender, Robyn Bushell, Helen Ware) d Kookaburras (John Hamelink, Ken Best, Kim Daffy) 9-3. Helen d John 8, -11, -7, 1, 5.

Division 3:

Pigeons (Ian Dodds, Bill Hey, Myles Dutton) d Storks (Madge Saunders, Allison Day) 7-5. Allison d Bill 9, 9, -5, -4, 3.

Eagles (Sharon Muller, Frank Caruana, Glenda Dutton) d Hawks (Pam Keune, Gloria Vella, Trish Zamparuti) 8-4. Sharon/Frank d Pam/Gloria 6, -8, -7, 9, 5.

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Former Tuesday morning table tennis player Margaret Ross, centre, caught up with old friends Iris Grasso and Pam Joyce when she visited the Mackay Table Tennis Centre with husband Geoff on Tuesday morning. Margaret and Geoff now live on the Gold Coast. Photo: Charlie Payne

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Madison Malagueno, Pioneer Dolphin, has come leaps and bounds and grown to be a strong and confident swimmer under the mentoring of Coach Igor.  

Her year has started off with a bang, having competed in three State level events in February and another to come at the end of March, swimming in not only pool but open water competitions.  

Madison represented Capricornia School Sport at the Queensland State Aquathlon in Hervey Bay on February 4.

The Aquathlon event for 11–12-year-old age group saw children from across the state tackle a 1km run, 200m swim, 1km run.

Madison placed 3rd in the 11-year-old age group and 20th in the age bracket.

The following weekend, Madison travelled to the Brisbane Aquatic Centre for the Queensland Sprint Championships on February 11-12.

Madison did the club proud, medalling in the freestyle event – 3rd in the state for her age group.

She ranked highly in a field of over 200 swimmers for her other strokes also.

She then competed in the Youth State Championships for Surf Lifesaving Queensland in Mooloolaba from February 16-19.

Madison was selected to represent the North Barrier Branch (clubs from Forrest Beach to Sarina, her club being Eimeo Surf Lifesaving Club) in both beach and water events.

Madison proudly sports two gold medals for her beach sprints in the mixed and all female relay teams.  

Madison has also been selected to represent Capricornia School Sport at the Swimming State Championships at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre to be held on March 26-28.

We are truly proud of you Madison and are equally excited for you and what your future holds.

Contributed by Pioneer Swim Club

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Madison Malagueno at the Queensland Sprint Championships

Madison also competed in the Youth State Championships for Surf Lifesaving Queensland in Mooloolaba. Photos supplied

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College netball stars Ainsley Carey, Rebecca Symons, Shaylah Pershouse and Tenille Cotter will fly the flag for Mackay at this year’s Queensland School Sport Netball State Championships in Brisbane.

The talented quartet impressed selectors with skilful performances at last week’s Capricornia representative trials at the Mackay Multi Sports Stadium to force their way into the respective 16-19yrs and 13-15yrs squads.

Outstanding wing attack Carey, shooter Symons, goalkeeper Pershouse and centre Cotter will be joined by Mackay State High School’s promising shooter Christa Nissen in powerful Capricornia representative line ups.

The State Netball Championship – to be held at Brisbane’s Nissan Arena from April 27 to 30 – is one of the highlight events on the Queensland School Sports calendar.

Carey, who will represent the Australian Indigenous team during this year’s Pacific Netball series, will spearhead the Capricornia 16-19yrs side alongside fellow Mackay natives Symons and Nissen.

All three produced dominant displays throughout the trials with Symons and Nissen confirming their status as two of the finest netball shooters in the region.

Emerging St Patrick’s centre Lillian Newland and goalkeeper Kaycee Ziegeler were named in the Possibles v Probables 16-19yrs squad but narrowly missed Capricornia selection.

Rising stars Pershouse and Cotter are two players to watch in the Capricornia 13-15yrs team.

The formidable duo are fierce competitors that thrive in pressure-cooker situations and show a maturity on court that far belies their years.

Unlucky omissions were Holy Spirit College duo Mia Slater, a dynamic wing attack and Alysse Atherton, a tyro goal defender/wing defence, who missed the cut despite figuring prominently in the Possibles v Probables selection trial.      

By Chris Karas

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Outstanding Mackay netballers Shayla Pershouse (holding ball) and Tenille Cotter (fourth left) will represent Capricornia at this year’s Queensland School Sport Netball 13-15yrs State Championships in Brisbane. Also pictured are Mackay Schools reps Ava Symons, Addison Dee, Lacie Clark, Mia Slater, Tahlia Anderson, Kiana Dunn, Alysse Atherton and Rhyanna Ape

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Have hockey stick and cricket bat will travel – that is the motto of Mackay’s 17 year old dual sports representative Haiden Mellifont (pictured).

When he is not cracking boundaries or unveiling his array of shots as a stylish top order batsman during the summer months, the gifted St Patrick’s College Year 12 student can be found plying his attacking skills on a hockey field.

All eyes will be on Haiden when he leads the Capricornia Boys 16-19 yrs representative cricket team into action at the Queensland Schoolboy Cricket Championships to be staged in Maroochydore from this Sunday March 5 to next Wednesday March 8.

The talented Mellifont is one of seven St Patrick’s College players named in a strong Capricornia squad that will line up against some of the finest schoolboy cricketers in the State.

Only six weeks ago versatile Hayden swapped his cricket bat for a hockey stick and gained selection in the Emerging Australian Under 18 Indoor Hockey squad after strong performances at the National titles staged at the Brisbane Sports Entertainment Centre.  

Mellifont scored three goals to help the Queensland Gold team finish a creditable fifth and caught the eye of national selectors with top displays at centre half and fullback.

The Emerging Under 18s will attend a training camp in Melbourne in preparation for an international series at home.

Earlier the gun midfielder led Mackay to victory at the State Indoor Hockey titles in Maryborough – inspiring team mates with his technical skills to earn himself yet another Maroons shirt.

Haiden first picked up a hockey stick at the age of eight while a student at Emmanuel Catholic Primary School at Mount Pleasant and has developed into a crack centre half since joining Norths Hockey Club as a fresh-faced 12 year old.

The lanky schoolboy was a key member of Norths’ premiership-winning second grade team in the Mackay Hockey Association in 2022 and is now fully entrenched in the club’s first grade line up.

Last year Haiden was named in the Queensland Hockey Under 19 Merit Team for a proposed ‘Test’ series against New Zealand and is on track for selection in the 2023 squad.

He will represent Mackay Schools in Rockhampton this week and hopes to lead Capricornia to back-to-back titles at the State Hockey Championships in Ipswich from May 18-21.

All-rounder Haiden is one of the young guns at Pioneer Valley Cricket Club and last summer was named Mackay Cricket Association’s Second Grade Player of the Year.

He started his cricket career with Brothers before linking with the Valley as a 13 year old and helping the club win four junior premierships.

The Mackay-Whitsundays representative has blossomed into a dashing top order batsman and handy seam bowler in the senior ranks and figured in the Valley’s triumphant second grade X1 that captured the 40 overs one day competition last summer.

By Chris Karas

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Haiden Mellifont is a representative player in both hockey and cricket

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The Mackay Cutters returned to BB Print Stadium on the weekend, facing up for their third and final preseason trial.

The gameday was originally touted as a double header, with the BMD Premiership Cutters scheduled to take on the Central Queensland Capras before the Hostplus Cup Cutters welcomed the Townsville Blackhawks.

The Central Queensland Capras, however, informed the club earlier in the week that they unfortunately had to withdraw from the trial match against the Cutters BMD Premiership squad.

The BMD squad hosted a Community Inclusive event with Mackay junior girls instead, giving girls an exclusive opportunity to train with our BMD Mackay Cutters before the Hostplus Cup game kicked off.

The Hostplus Cup Cutters later took to the field, starting the game with a bang and finishing the first half 16-4.

The second half was a scoreless affair for the Cutters, however, as the Blackhawks hit back hard, finishing the game with a 16-28 win.

The loss comes as the first from three preseason trials, with plenty of positives to take into round one next Saturday March 11 against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls at Manly.

Meanwhile, the Cutters junior squads all had success against the Northern Pride in Cairns with the Harvey Norman Under 19 Girls winning 26-6, the Mal Meninga Cup Cutters winning 24-4 and the Cyril Connel Cutters winning 20-4.

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Photo credit: Marty Strecker Photography

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Local Athletics Season Getting Underway

On your marks, get set, go!

The Mackay Athletics Club is gearing up for an exciting season of competition and camaraderie. From seasoned veterans to fresh-faced beginners, our club welcomes athletes of all ages, abilities, and skill levels. This has helped to build a strong base of competitive and experienced athletes over the years throughout all disciplines of the sport.

As the starting gun sounds on March 4th at 12.30pm, our athletes will be hitting the ground running, with competitions scheduled throughout the month in Brisbane and Sydney. But it's not all about winning medals – we're a family-friendly club that values development, support, and unity. That's why we're changing things up in 2023, with older members stepping up to mentor and assist our younger ones.

So, whether you're a sprinter, a jumper, or a thrower, come join the Mackay Athletics Club and reach new heights!

Commencing on March 4 at 12.30pm, the upcoming season is shaping up to be an amazing one.  

The month of March sees many of our athletes compete in Brisbane and Sydney in Queensland Athletics Championships March 9-12, Australian Masters Championships March 10-13, Queensland Athletics 3000m and the NQ Cross Country Championships.

Later in April, our amazing athletes will compete at the Chemist Warehouse Australian Open, Under 20 and Junior (Under 13 to Under 19) over two different weekends.

The Mackay Athletics Club offers coaching for club members with cost and details found on our website. As a general rule, if you are already coached by someone, it is best practice to discuss this with your coach.

In 2023, the Mackay Athletics Club will make some changes to how we run our season. We will split the afternoon into two sessions to better support our members.

The first session is for athletes aged five to 12, and events will run as normal. This session is designed to give younger members more opportunities for development, with support from our older athletes and their parents. We are inviting our older club members to join us at the normal time to help support our newer and younger members.

The second session is for athletes aged 13 to masters level, and will be run differently to give those who specialize in certain disciplines more opportunities to compete.

Visit mackayathletics.com.au or Mackay Athletics Club | Mackay QLD | Facebook for more information.

Contributed by Belinda Rule

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Bowen Seagulls Rugby League hosted its 12th annual Bowen Summer 10s Carnival to raise funds for cancer research last Saturday, with the carnival hosting a total of 22 teams from as far afield as Cairns and raising $12,000.

The chosen causes this year were close to the Club’s heart according to Club President Darren Piggott, who said Bowen Cancer and Ostomy Support group and the family of a club volunteers currently battling cancer would benefit from the fundraising.

“Knowing that we have the support of the community and that they have come together to raise these funds means a lot to us,” Mr Piggott said.

On the day, 15 men’s teams and seven women’s teams battled it out for the trophies.

The teams of Noel Yasso Memorial, 20 Prise Boys, and Boonti Buster got right on the fundraising band wagon, bringing in a $6000 contribution. Boonti Busters efforts alone in conjunction with Kevla Expresso and Health Food Bar Muffin Drive, Corey and Shannen Jensen Broncos Jersey donation, Wheelbarrow Raffle, and Karmon Powers shave for a cause raised $5000.

And the Baddies women’s team donated their $1000 prize back to the club to give to our chosen charities.

In the action-packed football, the men’s competition was strong with Club teams mixing it with exhibition, memorial, and family teams throughout.

The Grand Final of the men’s competition was fast and physical making with Fiji Time winning the final 24-10 against Samu Bala’s.

In the women’s competition NRLW star Shania Powers’ Coastal Neurs took home the trophy.

Players of the carnival were Karmon Power from Boonti Busters and Chelsea Munns from Baddies.

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The team Fiji Time were the winners at Bowen Seagulls Rugby League’s annual Bowen Summer 10s Carnival where spectators, businesses, and teams raised $12,000 for local causes

Bowen local Karmon Power raised funds by shaving his head at the event

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Congratulations to Charlee Morris, Cooper Robinson, Hamish Peel, Acacia Rock, Bryson Henshell, Lanie Hazelton and Leeshara Reynolds who have been selected for the Whitsundays to take part in Northern Region’s Touch Trials.  

Teams selected from these trials will go on to represent North Queensland at the State Championships.

WTA also wishes Bernard Woods all the best of luck as he travels to Coffs Harbour next week.  Bernard has been selected in the North Queensland Cyclones 60 years and over for the National Touch League.

The experience all these players will bring back from exposure to the higher standard of competition at representative level will be a boost to our own local competition.

This season, Family Grade has been recognised as an avenue for young players to have regular exposure to competitive touch, aged 8-12 years.

Not only is it an opportunity for families to play together, it also helps develop skills and involve all players.

New family grade team Mainlanders

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Round Three Results

Mixed A

Trusty (10) d Vipers (9)

Raiders A d Concrete Feet on forfeit

In the Crear (10) d Whitmonday Eagles (2)

Mixed B

Full Boar d G.E.T. Touch on forfeit

Slippery Salmons (9) d The Guinea Fowls (4)

Mixed C

Whitsunday Warriors (6) d Raiders C (3)

Stingers (11) d On Time (9)

Flametree Flames (9) d Touch It (2)

Mixed C (Family)

Mainlanders (8) d Escapees (3)

Untouchables (8) d Misfits Ham+o Rent (5)

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Airlie Beach Bowls Club was unable to field any games this week due to weather save for its Saturday and Sunday matches.

The first round winners were Col Morris, Russell Jackson, Peter Barratt, Ted Cullen, Karen Jensen, and John Brown.

Finalists were Russell Jackson and Karen Jensen with Russell narrowly winning. B Grade winner was club favourite Rick Galea.

Saturday afternoon saw a great Open A Grade Men’s Round against Club Champion and top 200 singles player in Australia Manny Isgro and new bowler to the Club but former Proserpine Division 1 player David Ling.

David was off to an early 3-11 lead before Manny got his eye in and won 25-16.

Ladies’ Open Pairs saw Lynne Skeen and Lu Rogan win 21-17 against formidable opponents Margo Stanley and Jill Mazlin-Petersen.

Sunday afternoon was a “great roll up” with the biggest winners of the day Bobby Spees and Lu Rogan, who maintained her splendid form to guide the team to a 29-13 against a luckless Tony Kelly and Lynne Skeen.

Jill Mazlin-Petersen played against Sandra Argo with Jill coming out the winner 25-21.

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Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson

Lyn Graham with Airlie Beach Bowls Club winners Bob Spees and Lynne Skeen

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The Bowen Bowls Club hosted a fierce competition game between Wayne Crowhurst and Ross Scanlon last week, with Wayne taking the out the win.

At the Club’s Wednesday Social Bowls, Joan Edwards, Jane Gilbert, and Gus Munro defeated Robyn Stitt, Lee Welsted, and Brett Lampard.

David Moodie, Ron Gould, and Ian Best won against Mary-Ellen Pratten, Ross Scanlon, and Jeff Tierney. Jan Randall, Peter Wilson, and Steve Roome defeated Eddy Neylon, Carol O’Connell, and Mark Rogers.

In the final matchup, Bev Smith, Gavin Charles, Paula Welsted, and Allen Williams defeated Helen Jacobsen, Lorraine McArthur, Peter Thomson, and Jill Brabon.

Sunday Scroungers Winners were Mark Rogers, Herb Dalton, Jan Randall, Gavin Charles, and Steve Roome.

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Contributed with thanks to Joan Edwards

Bowen Bowls Club’s Sunday Scroungers winners Mark Rogers, Herb Dalton, Jan Randall, Gavin Charles, and Steve Roome

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Proserpine Bowls Club player Alen Sanderson had “an absolute cracker” of a game on Sunday afternoon in the best match of the week at the local green.

Alen and Jim Quod defeated John Anderson and Bruce Uhe 18-11 in a game of  2-4-2 Pairs.

On the other rink, Peter Lawton played double second with Mary Hedgelong and Heather Brown, defeating Philip Brown, himself, and Sandy Daffara, 17-14.

The Club will be reverting to usual times for its bowls as summer ends – 1.00 PM for a 1.30 PM start on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons.

Contributed with thanks to Heather Brown

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Players from Alligator Creek, Suburban, Giru, Collinsville, and Airlie Beach joined members of the Wangaratta Bowls Club to celebrate its Opening Day on Sunday morning.

Six games of triples were played with the winners coming out on Rink Three: Merle Elphinstone, Lyn Danvers, and Greg Colquhoun defeated Gwenda Lydom, Denise Wallace, and Geoff Danvers.

Runners Up were Jocelyn DeFranciscis, Rhonda Lloyd, and Sugar Brunker, who defeated Robyn Stitt, Maree Brunker, and Pat Tracey.

Other winners were Robyn Engert, Penny Warren, and Graeme Read against Lindy Suann, Irene Laird, and Mark DeFranciscis.

Graeme Margaret, Wilson Kaye, and Cooper beat Bron Tolcher, Kent Moriarty, and Greg Duncan, while Bill Myers, Teresa Willshire, and Fely Duncan defeated J Taylor, C Engert, and Allan Rolfe.

The final winners of the day were Tess Walker, Linda Smith, and Kevin Daniels in the game against Sue Shearing, Deb Retchless, and Gary Stockham.

Ladies’ Competition games have been drawn and the first games called posted on the board. Men’s local Pennant will be played at the club against Bowen Bowls Club on Sunday – there is still room for social bowls.

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Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren

Opening Day Winners at Wangaratta Bowls Club Greg Colquhoun, Merle Elphinstone, Mark Drummond, Lyn Danvers, and Margaret Wilson

Runners Up on Opening Day Rhonda Lloyd, Jocelyn DeFranciscis, Presidents Mark Drummond, and Margaret Wilson

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