Record turnout for Northampton bowls comp, with local side taking out top prize

Last Sunday saw a strong field turn out for Northampton Bowling Club’s 2022 open Yuna men’s triples.

The day attracted a record-equalling field of 28 sides for the more than two-decade annual tournament — with this being the first event on the venue’s new synthetic green.

The club hosted a fabulous event which involved 15 individual sponsors, with the ladies in the kitchen tireless in providing meals and snacks throughout the day which saw six rounds of play on a game-on, game-off basis.

The hard work before the event resulted in a record attendance. Those efforts saw a player increase to 84, up from last year’s 72, which was the club’s last official event on its grass surface.

Upon the completion of play it was the Northampton side of Martin Parker, Kevin Hall and Peter Coleman who claimed the major prize with an impressive return that resulted in three strong victories.

The team won 23 ends, which ended up being the telling factor in declaring the overall winners.

Geraldton’s Kevin Robartson joined Colin Morgan and Warren Kennedy, claiming second placing with three wins and 22 ends won of the thirty competed. They placed ahead of fellow clubmates Joe Cukela, Graham McLeary and Peter Ireson in third position — the trio completing the podium of undefeated sides.

The event awarded the best combinations of the opening rounds, with the home-based side of Vic Forrester, Ross Johnson and Chris Caldwell claiming the first round with a plus-six return.

The composite Northampton/Geraldton combination of Dale Maver, Alan Cragan and Wes Jones claimed the second with a return of a positive six shots.

Friday mixed scroungers continues this week at both Geraldton and Wonthella with Geraldton running a drawn pairs event on Saturday afternoon with a 1pm start time.

Sunday afternoon, Wonthella will be running a drawn mixed event with visitors most welcome to participate.

This weekend the Denison club take centre stage with the club’s gala event of the season. The Kalis two-day fours has again attracted a capacity field with players from the metropolitan area set to join locals.

The Denison synthetic is said to be in top order with play expected to be close throughout the six-match open tournament.