For the first time in a while the weather was kind to us and it was good six rinks in use.

Twenty-four bowlers turned out and it was a pleasure to welcome two new bowlers to the Club.

Samantha Dennis and Brett Davis recently moved to town and have joined the Club as playing members having had a couple of games as visitors.

On behalf of all the members I hope you both enjoy your time at the Club.

Six games of pairs were played with some very close results.

Ray Jones and George Bradley started well and had a lead of 7-1 after five ends but after thirteen ends Rob Irving and John Watson had levelled the score at ten all.

With two ends to play Ray and George again had the lead 14 -13.

On the second last end Ray and George were holding three shots but, with his last bowl, Rob moved the jack and scored on shot to level the scores.

On the last end Rob and John scored two shots and for the first time took the lead and won the match 16-14.

Graham Dixon and Greg Huggins had the better of Col Mudie and Bob Freeman for most of the game and lead 19-11 with two ends to play.

Col and Bob won the last two ends but couldn't quite bridge the gap and Graham and Greg won the match 19-16.

After eighteen ends, Geoff Freeman an John Wright were in front 17-14 against Brett Frame and John Dunn but on the last three ends Brett and John scored 7 shots to 1 to win the match 21-18.

In another close one Gary Mcphee and Ron Hornery had the lead 16-11 against Col Hayward and Mal Porter before Col and Mal scored eight shots on the last three ends to win 19-16.

In the other two matches:

Martin Tighe and Steve Ryan 21 - John Ward and John Carr 14

Steve Turner and Gordon Dickson 23 Samantha Dennis and Brett Davis 13

The Lucky Rink was Rink 15 and Greg Huggins brought up the magic no. 7 to win the $160 prize.

Twilight Bowls

It was a disappointing turnout with only eight teams turning up.

I don't have all the score cards so can't comment on any of the results.

With the weather improving we hope to have a better turnout this week.

All new players will be welcome - all you need are flat soled shoes or you can play barefoot - al equipment is provided.

The cost is $10 per player with three players per team. Come along with a couple of mates or we will do our best to fit you into a team.

Be at the Club by 6pm for a 6.30pm start.

General

The Badge draw was not won last week and this Friday it will be worth $1300. As usual it will be drawn on Friday night after the raffle.

BBQ facility available at our club along with barefoot bowls. Function room with easy access to bar make this a great place for any event.

For more information visit Facebook and look up Parkes-Bowling-and-Sports-Club.

The Rookie

First week of darts is done with Josh Townsend hitting the first 180 of the year.

Results from last week

Royal 1 defeated Royal Chicks 5-2 with players player going to Jake Pike for Royal 1 and Paul Lucas for Royal Chicks. High scores were Josh Townsend 180, 140, 6x 100.

John Townsend 3x 140, 100. Doug Miller 140, 105. Jake Pike 120. Paul Lucas 140. Dimity Bishop 105.

Top Flights defeated Budgies 6-1 with players player going to Keith Rogan for Top Flights and Belinda Boardman for Budgies.

High scores were Mick Herft 140, 2x 100. Keith Rogan 2x 125, 6x 100. Dave Rogan 4x 100.

Strikers defeated Twist Tops 4-3 with players player going to Teona Wakefield for Strikers and Bob Green for Twist Tops.

High scores were Teona Wakefield 116. Beryl Watson 111. Peta Barnes 100.

This Wednesdays draw:

Leah Roberts

Pennant results for today Division 1, Robert Hey down 2 and 1 Tim Burke down 5 and 4 Myles Smith down on the 19th Brad Scott down on the 20th Aaron Wilkie up 2 and 1.

Division 2 , Parkes 5. - 0 winners, Riall Harrison and John Green won on 19, Luke Clarke , Joe Vanopynen and Brendan Chambers all won.

Division 3, Parkes won 3 -2, Yabi Kemp won 5 and 4, Jake Hodge won 5 and 4, Rod Kiley won 4 and 3, Ron Hetherington lost on 19th and David Brown lost 3and 2.

Division 4 lost 3-2 individual results not currently at hand Great effort all thank you for turning up and supporting the Golf Club.

For more information on current competitions visit www.facebook.com/www.parkesgolfclub.com.au/.

Twenty-eight veteran golfers met at Forbes last Thursday.

We welcomed Parkes newcomer, John Fowler to our motley group. Forbes just won the Mick Miller Shield by a margin of two, 140 to 138.

Graham Cooke (Parkes) brought home the bacon, again, from Neil Duncan (Forbes) 27 points to 24.

Alan Affleck received the encouragement award.

It is good to see you back, Alan. The nearest the pin winners were Alf Davies, Graham Cooke and Steve Edwards.

This week we play at Parkes. All players are reminded that the AGM of the Lachlan Valley Association will be held at Forbes on February 27 at 9.30am.

Mcl

Purchased last year by the Molloy family from Cowra, the seven year old gelding Welcome Art more than recouped the outlay when winning on Saturday the $27,000 Gilgandra Sporting Club Gilgandra Cup.

Welcome Art won the 2019 Cowra Cup for trainer Andrew Molloy and remained in his stable after the then owners decided later to sell.

In a real family affair, Welcome Art is raced by Andrew Molloy's wife April, his father Bill, his sister Katie, his brother Bob, the family doctor Dr John Mclaren and stablehand Rory Nelson.

Fifteen minutes before the running of the Cup, trainer Andrew Molloy received the news his brother Allan Molloy had just driven a winner at a harness racing meeting in Vancouver, Canada where Allan has been a successful trainer-driver for 12 years.

Allan has driven over 100 winners, many of them at the Fraser Downs track.

Penny's Bonitas and Outta Space set the pace from A Magic Zariz in the 1550 metres Cup with Welcome Art racing in a midfield position for Dubbo jockey Ken Dunbar.

Carrying the 61kg top weight, A Magic Zariz ( Clayton Gallagher, $5 ) took the lead turning for home and although fighting hard was overhauled and beaten a half length by the $7.50 chance Welcome Art.

Greg Ryan who had already ridden an incredible 10 Gilgandra Cup winners finished third on Chuck 'N' Paul ( $7 ) however he managed a winning double on the Brett Cavanough, Scone trained Pure Faith ( $1.55 favourite ) and the locally trained Bid To Fame.

Veteran trainer Bruce Parker from Gilgandra puts the polish on Bid To Fame which led throughout for a convincing win over Kiwicod ( Michael Heagney,$7 ) and Happy Partner( Tiffany Jeffries, $5.50 ) in the 1550 metres Gilgandra Services Club Coo-EE Cup Class 2 Handicap.

The 1280 metres Tooraweenah Cup ( Benchmark 50 ) proved a triumph for Gilgandra trainer Bryan Dixon and his track specialist Sugar Lane.

Brilliantly ridden by the Bathurst based Chelsea Ings, Sugar Lane ( $11 ) overcame the outside barrier to lead all the way when beating Squared ( Jake Pracey-Holmes, $9.50 ) and the $3.20 favourite Drummed Out ( Clayton Gallagher ).

Sugar Lane has now recorded four wins and two placings from eight starts at Gilgandra.

Chelsea Ings was also responsible for a top ride when from the outside barrier she led from start to finish on the Graeme Brooker, Coonabarabran trained Bowie's Boy( $10 ) to win the Bryson Luff Citizen Of The Year Class 1 Handicap ( 800 metres ) from Red Russian ( Tony Cavallo, $7 ) and Poppy Field ( Daniel Northey,$14 )

Legendary racecaller Bob Foran was remembered with a Memorial race over 1000 metres which resulted in an all the way win for the Graham Watts, Coonabarabran trained Tully Ho ( Yvette Lewis, $2.70 fav.) over Baby Merlin ( Michael Heagney,$11 ) and Plectrum ( Ken Dunbar,$7.50 ).

Gilgandra is renowned as one of the best wet weather tracks in NSW and despite very heavy rain the day before and again on race morning any doubts about the meeting going ahead were cast aside when the Les Roberts, Muswellbrook trained Fonda ( Michael Squires, $6 ) breezed home in the opening event the 800 metres Maiden Plate.

At one of the prettiest racecourses in the State the annual Bedgerabong Picnics will be held next Saturday with Dubbo hosting a TAB meeting on Sunday.

Colin Hodges