Cardinia Waters played a friendly pre-season practice game against Garfield last Tuesday.
These two clubs have a great relationship with village players regularly supporting social games and tournaments at Garfield.
Garfield filled four rinks at Cardinia Waters and both teams had a good workout followed by a pleasant social interaction afterwards.
On the bowling green it was Cardinia Waters who flexed their muscles and played to the home-ground advantage to win on all four rinks.
Three rinks won comfortably by decent margins, but the fourth was a real nail biter.
Cardinia Waters champion Ray Naylor skipped this rink against one of Garfield’s best in Alan White.
‘Whitey’ held sway for most of the early part of the game, but it was the home foursome who finished best winning by just two shots.
Ray played with Jill Naylor, Robert Mitchell and Jim Barrie.
Their final score was 15-13…which followed Alan’s rink holding an 8-0 lead after just four ends.
An outstanding result was the game won by Bill Hite’s rink, consisting of Denis Patmore, Donny Gibson and Terry Nye.
In this game of 21 ends Bill and his mates won 17, and the final score was a thumping 33-6.
John Van Vugt, Del Dance, Len Judge and Cathy Swinkels also recorded a decent win, beating their Garfield opponents by 17 shots.
After leading 12-0 after five ends, John Moore’s rink coasted home for a 26-16 victory against Lexi Taylor’s four.
John was assisted by Michele Bondfield, Jeni Edmonds and Lorraine Devine.
Next Tuesday the village players will play an away practice game at the Narre Warren dome.
For many Cardinia Waters players this will be their first experience on the under-cover Narre Warren complex.
Those who have experienced these new facilities say they are a great place to bowl.
The Cardinia Waters Bowls Club Opening Day is set down for October 7 commencing at 9:30am.
Club identity Tom Gogan will roll the first Jack, and reigning club champion Ray Naylor will roll the opening bowl.
Ray will no doubt use his new Henselite XG bowls on this occasion.
After a social bowl all attending will enjoy lunch in the village clubhouse.
Cardinia Waters has two more practice games before the season opens.
One is on October 10 at Kooweerup, and the latter at Lang Lang on October 14.
Players are reminded that October 14 is also referendum day.
The first Saturday Pennant game for Cardinia Waters is a home game on October 21 against Upwey Tecoma.
Midweek Pennant starts on the following Tuesday.
-John Moore-
