RUSSELL ISLAND FOURS ATTRACTS TOP NUMBERS By Michael Verry
Russell Island Bowls Club held its annual Fours tournament on November 13-15. The event attracted a total of 16 teams of four (64 bowlers in total) from as far south as the Gold Coast, North to Caboolture and west to Tannymorel. For the first time this year we had more entries than rinks available. The tournament commenced on the first day (Friday 13th) with an informal pairs game in the afternoon. The event got under way on Saturday with three games followed by two games on the Sunday. Visiting teams stayed on the island as we have no road access to the island from the mainland. All access is by water transport. We had an entry from teenagers who have won national age group titles over the last two years. This team kept the older bowlers on their mettle, being third overall winners! Zayah Morgan is a local island resident who began bowling at 14 years of age. Unfortunately, to play amongst her peers, she had to join a mainland club. Members of this team have won state and national under-18 titles and Zayah is a member of the current best
Winners: Victoria Point skip Rob Kelsey receiving cash from club President Laurie Gurr (2nd from R)
Youngest team on the day was Z Morgan, K Morgan, M Davis & D Sparkes
female team in Australia. The results showed bowling is for persons of all ages. The weather was beautiful and the event was enjoyed by all. The overall winners were the Victoria Point team skipped by Rob Kelsey. Second was the Caboolture team skipped by B Cough. Third was the teenage mixed team skipped by M Davis. Already 22 teams have indicated they would like to have one of the 16 spots available in the 2021 event.
Runners-up Caboolture skip B Gough Zayah Morgan (far right) receiving (3rd from left) receiving prize from prize on behalf of skip M Davis from club President Laurie Gurr (1st L) President Laurie Gurr (2nd from R)
JEANIE BELL AT 101 Jeanie Bell (age 101) recently joined Kerry Cassin and John Wright’s team and played bowls at United Bowls Club, Ipswich. Kerry said that she certainly showed them (the younger ones) how to play. Jeanie’s team were winners on the day. The Bowler covered Jeanie’s 100th birthday celebration in the February 2020 edition, when more than 300 people attended the party, including BQ representatives. Jeanie and her late husband George were avid lawn bowlers. Jeanie started playing bowls in 1972 and has served as the president of both Booval and Ipswich Bowls Clubs. Keep bowling Jeanie! L-R: John Wright, Jeanie Bell & Kerry Cassin
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