Sports News
 Bowled Over
Problems with Being Single?
I have mentioned before that bowlers usually only get to play singles when they enter a championship event or in the case of women bowlers, the consistency competition.
Having had no practice in the singles game from one year to the next means that players enter the event short on match play experience.
One solution, which I have described in a previous column, is to play a modified singles or consistency game and most people who have tried it like it.
From the Helensvale Club comes another suggestion, which is, apparently very popular with their members.
They have developed a format playing four bowlers to a rink, with each player playing three games of seven ends so all players on each rink play one another.
The order of play is described as follows and although it may seem confusing at first, I am assured it only takes a couple of ends to become familiar with the format.
Assume play is north/south and in the first game, A is playing B while C is against D.
A and B start play from north with C or D marking for that end. Players change over, C and D play their first end from north while A or B mark.
A and B then play their second end from south while C or D mark.
Players then change over so C and D can play their second end from south while A or B mark. So it continues until the designated number of ends is completed.
Starting both games from north avoids confusion at the change over of games. At the completion of all odd numbered ends all bowls are at the same end, so only players have to change, no bowls have to be moved. Unless a long jack is rolled there is no need to place the bowls of A and B on the bank while C and D play - just move them to a neat pile to the rear and side of the rink.
There are three house rules which are designed to prevent time wasting:
- The markers declare the head.
- No dead ends. If the jack goes dead it is re-spotted on the 2m mark.
- There is no walking up to inspect the head.
This seems like an interesting and innovative format to me and any club which tries it might like to give fellow bowlers some feedback through this column.
Coaching tip
With the warmer weather upon us, it is probably timely to remind ourselves of the safety factors regarding dehydration and sun damage.
Applying a sun screen before going out to play will help prevent more damage to the skin (most bowlers have bits and pieces removed already so it is important to protect what is left of our skin). If playing all day, it will need to be re-applied.
Drink plenty of water before, during and after the game. We can lose up to 2 litres during play and this must be replaced. Dehydration leads to loss of concentration and can result in heat stroke and exhaustion.
Umpire's corner
Law 28B Displacement by a participating player - of a bowl in motion (iii)
If a bowl in motion be displaced by a player then the opposing director has the option of:
- placing the bowl where it would have come to rest and replacing any part of the head displaced after the bowl had been touched, or
- having the end replayed.
Until next week,
good bowling.
 Hook and Slices
with Stan Bendall
Lismore
The bus will leave Lismore Workers Golf Club at 7.30am on Sunday for the social club trip to Coraki.
A 2BBB stableford will be played this Saturday.
The Lismore Pro-Am is on this Sunday.
There will be a dinner this Saturday night - bookings only. Book by ringing the club.
On Sunday, November 11, (Armistice Day) the club will host the annual St Vincent's Hospital Charity Golf Classic. It will be a four person ambrose with brunch served between 10.30-11.45 with a midday tee off. Positions are filling quickly and the fee is $25. The major sponsor is Southern Cross University.
There are more than $4,000 worth of trophies to be won at the annual Building Trades golf day on Friday, November 16. The event will be a single stableford in three grades with non-golfer trophies. Nomination fee is $30 which includes golf, lunch, afternoon snacks and beer tickets. It is restricted to those employed in the building industry and allied trades.
Bill (Oogie) Wotherspoon shot his age, 78, to win the backmarker challenge last Thursday on a countback from top cop Nev Graham, one shot ahead of veterans' preso, Brian Hayes, who had a fantastic day, including an ace on the par 3 eighth. Blake Jamieson won the first nine by a shot from Phil Luckie. Tom Somerville took out the second nine from Don Walmsley and Steve Morrissey took out the gross with 2 over 72 with balls won with 69 or better. You have to be good on Thursdays!
Bill O'Sullivan and Bob McLelland took the honours in the club foursomes last week from Brian Deegan (big form reversal) and Jock McPherson. Craig Austin and Greg Hickey won the net. Mark Sharpe and David McLelland took out the Bradman's.
Work is to commence shortly on the third green which will be raised and should look good!
Don't forget, members - nominations close for committee on November 9 for positions of president, captain and 10 committee positions. So with the golf course in general taking shape, jump on board and assist with various jobs to be done and utilise your skills and share with the ongoing success of the golf club.
Mullumbimby
Brad Ollis is the new club champ after recording a fine 4 over par for the 72 holes. Matthew Hardy took out C grade, Barry Moore B grade; Lex Browning won the 72 hole net event and young talent Bradley Mott won the junior champos. Well done fellas, especially with the new nine hole layout.
Woodburn-Evans Hd
The November mug will be played in three grades.
There will be a single stableford on Saturday, November 10.
The ladies played an 18 hole stroke event for trophies donated by Shoppe-One 17 last Wednesday for the medal of medals play-off. Kerrie Fletcher won the medal of medals; Irene Crampton won A grade; Veronica Kelly won B grade.
Les Paynter took the honours in last Thursday's veterans' 18 hole single stableford.
Russell Dent won the single stableford last Saturday from Geoff Watt; Irene Crampton took out the ladies section from Shirley Payne.
Jim Perkins won the RSL stroke event last Sunday.
Alstonville
Robert and Cheryl Hicks took the honours in the two person ambrose which the members played in Tenterfield last Saturday from Tony Melbourne and Ross Woolfe on a countback from Ross Emerson and Greg Cross.
Ross Emerson enjoyed victory for the first time when he won the 18 hole stableford on Sunday; winning by a point from a good striker of the ball, Robert Hicks from Ross Woolfe. The Bradman's went to Dave Haley with 22 points.
The next game will be at Ocean Shores this coming Sunday with tee-off at 7.30am.
Ballina
Round three of the club champos is on this Saturday and will also be the November medal and the medal of medals play off. The ladies will play a single stroke on the same day.
The final round of the men's champos will be played on Saturday, November 10.
The RSL will visit Woodburn-Evans Head for a round on Saturday, November 10.
My tip to take out the champos is last year's winner, Neil Bullen, as the champos are fought out over 72 holes and that's his style. Greenkeeper Shawn Bishop won't be far away, so good luck next week fellas!
Coraki
An 18 hole stroke event will be played in three grades this Saturday.
The annual Harry Beck Memorial Coraki Golf Club versus Lismore Workers Social Golf Club is on Sunday. Men and women both play. Bus leaves Lismore Workers Club at 7.30am.
Spare a thought for Club legend, Jim Ormond, who suddenly had to undergo surgery last Monday for a triple bypass. He is currently at Allamanda hospital Southport and we all wish him a speedy recovery.
Casino
The monthly medal will be played this Saturday.
The first round of the junior champos is on this Sunday.
There will be a single stableford on Saturday, November 10.
Kyogle
The very popular Brown and Hurley tournament is on next Wednesday and Thursday, November 7-8. Nominate as soon as possible because it fills up quickly.
The young brigade featured in the stiff breeze last Saturday. Tony Shaw recorded the best score of the day in B grade, taking the honours by a point from Simon Jones. Ben Benn won A grade by a point from Dave Beaumont, and Stephen Formaggin took out C grade, winning on a countback from John Breretpm.
Mark Cornelius won by 2 from ian Wotherspoon last Thursday.
 What's My Line
with Ian Clark
Reeling Them In
Summer is just around the corner with daylight saving time starting last weekend, as well as a taste of what to expect temperature-wise.
The fishing was not that bad although the early morning sessions seemed to be the more productive.
A few blokes have been in the rivers chasing the bass but I have not heard of any reports back on that side of things. This is not uncommon as the freshwater angler is a bit more reluctant to hand out info compared to their saltwater friends.
I don't blame them, as I feel the bass is a prize catch and one that can be very finicky and easily spooked at times.
Thanks to work commitments I have been talking fishing more than doing it.
So I have been busy tuning the baitcaster reels in so that they are ready for a quick morning or afternoon bash.
I usually set them up so that when holding the rod tip about a metre from the water surface. With the reel out of gear a floating lure drops to the water surface. The spool should stop spinning and leave only a small amount of slack in the line.
For heavy lures I do the same as above but I loosen the brake so that the lure will sink about half a metre before water pressure slows the rate of spool rotation.
The reason I do it this way is to reduce the chance of the bass smashing the lure and heading back in under a snag with it. There is a lower amount of loose line in the water and less chance of overruns.
So unless the barometer drops between now and the weekend the rivers would be worth a shot.
For the salties out there the jew are still poking around the Richmond and some are being caught at very odd times of the day with live bait.
The beaches are quieter than normal although dart and whiting are out there taking bloodworms and some nice bream are around Flat Rock and Boulder beaches.
Evans is still quiet at the moment but there are some bream along the walls on the beach sides and at the mouth of the river.
Up along Lennox are whiting and dart with the dart easier to find than the whiting.
That's all for this week. Hope you can get out there and catch a feed and until next week, fun fishing.
Melbourne Cup
You Can Bet On It
 Greg Sullivan will be the feature comedian at the Laughing Lizard Comedy Lounge's Melbourne Cup special at Maggie Moores next Tuesday.
A great way to have a laugh and a punt on Melbourne Cup Day, while also helping out a worthwhile local charity, is to attend the Melbourne Cup Luncheon at Maggie Moores next Tuesday, November 6.
The day kicks off in traditional Melbourne Cup style - with a glass of complimentary chilled champagne on arrival just to wet the appetite.
A delicious two-course meal will then be served before the main feature of the day, the Laughing Lizard Comedy Lounge show, which will run throughout the afternoon.
The comedy show is a regular monthly feature at Maggie Moores and the special Melbourne Cup show is the final for 2001, so if you're a fan of the Lizard gang get in now for one last laugh.
The show will feature Brisbane-based comedian Greg Sullivan in his third performance with the Laughing Lizard Comedy Lounge as well as the usual Lizard gang - MC S Sorrensen, The Doug & Biskit Cabaret plus the $50 joke competition, Antonio's Funny Money, which anyone can enter if they're game (for more details on the Laughing Lizard Comedy Lounge show see The Scene).
The day will also feature heaps of raffles and sweeps, a best and worst dressed fashion in the field, a phantom race call with Bob Lane and to add to the excitement, you can watch the race on a big screen TV.
All proceeds from the event go to the Life Saver Rescue Helicopter.
'It's not exactly Flemington but it's a great way to have a fun day out and enjoy the Melbourne Cup in style, while also helping out a really important local charity,' Maggie Moores manager, Chris Haywood, said.
'There's simply no better way to spend Melbourne Cup day!'
The luncheon starts at 12pm.
Tickets to the Maggie Moores Melbourne Cup Luncheon are $30 a head. Places are limited so bookings are essential. Phone 6622 1888.
Other Melbourne Cup events
The St Vincent's Hospital Blue & White Auxiliary will host a Melbourne Cup luncheon on Tuesday at the Lismore Workers Heights Bowling Club.
The days will include a fashion parade, featuring clothes from the House of Horton and Summerland Sports Scene, as well as prizes for the best dressed lady, best dressed casual lady and best hat.
Local musicians Robert John and Iain Alexander will provide musical entertainment throughout the day. A variety of raffles and sweeps will also be held during the day, before the viewing of the race on a big screen TV.
All proceeds from the event will go the Palliative Care Unit at St Vincent's Hospital. Tickets are $15 a head. To book phone Joyce on 6624 4342 or the club on 6624 3040.
A Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Melbourne Cup Luncheon will be held on Tuesday at the Bellowing Bull in Wollongbar.
The day, featuring MC and racing guru Garry Kliese, will be loads of fun with a giant fashion parade, raffles, lucky door prizes and sweeps.
For ticket details and bookings phone 6628 0715.
Casino will host a Melbourne Cup luncheon with a difference next Tuesday at the Cecil Hotel. As well as the usual activities like a fashion parade, raffles and sweeps the luncheon will also feature a huge patchwork quilt display from the local quilting group.
There will also be a special demonstration on the basics of making Christmas cards and for those who enjoy a bit of healthy competition, there's a selection of trivia games to be held.
A special morning tea will be held at 10am before the luncheon at 12pm. Tickets are $15 a head. To book phone 6662 1047 or 6662 7800.
Swing for St Vinnie's
If you're after a way to feel better about the world after election day the St Vincent's Hospital Southern Cross University Charity Golf Classic is on Sunday, November 11.
The competition is for groups of four who will play a four person ambrose at the Lismore golf course. There's an 11am shotgun start and the cost is $25 per player, which includes lunch and green fees. For enquiries or further information call Rosemary Price on 0417 244 645 or 6623 3520.
Indoor soccer returns to Lismore this summer
Soccer Far North Coast is set to launch a new season of indoor soccer in Lismore after a long absence.
No viable competitions have been run in the area for some time, a trend which has prompted teams to travel to Ballina or Alstonville to get a game.
Following the success of SFNC outdoor twilight soccer competition and continued enquiries regarding indoor soccer, SFNC General Manager Mathew Kelso feels it is time to re-establish the indoor code.
'Indoor soccer allows for players to continue their skill development during the off-season in a modified game giving them more involvement and thus greater opportunities to develop. We see the indoor competition as a natural addition to our normal competitions and are pleased that Lismore Skating have offered their facilities to help promote the game,' Kelso stated.
The competition will be a five-a-side affair and will cater for all players through a grade 12, grade 14, men's and women's competitions. All matches will be held at the one venue in Lismore Skating Arena and will be on a Wednesday night, beginning November 7.
Costs are $50 per match for a senior team and $40 per match for a junior team. There are no team nomination fees or fees for trophies etc. unlike other centres.
Juniors will play from 4.30 to 6.30pm while the senior comp will run between 6.30 to 9.30pm, depending on the number of teams in each category.
Players of all standards are encouraged to participate from beginners to premier league.
Nominations for teams are now being called. Anyone interested should contact the SFNC office on 66 21 5593 or grab a copy of the nomination form off the website at www.soccerfarnorthcoast.com.au
Fitball workshop for Alstonville
The NSW Dept of Sport and Recreation will be coordinating a Fitball Workshop in November.
A Fitball is one of those big pastel coloured rubber balls that look like enormous Kool Fruits.
Wendy Richmond will conduct the workshop at Alstonville's Leisure and Entertainment Centre on Wednesday, November 14 from 6 - 9pm.
The $55.00 fee includes gst, venue entry and 3 hours of practical and theoretical information.
The workshop will also provide current fitness leaders with three continuing education credits.
Fitballs are available for purchase on the evening at $65.00 each, however all enrolments must be received by November 8.
For bookings, further details or application forms, phone 131302.
Target practice
The Lismore RSL Social Darts club is on target to raise money for disabled children.
The club is holding a charity day this Sunday, November 4, at the Lismore RSL for the Summerland Early Intervention Programme, an organisation which helps children from birth to school age with a diagnosed disability.
Everyone is welcome - whether you can hit the bull's-eye or not - but you must be over 14 years to play.
Names need to be in by 9.30am on the day and the darts will kick off at 10am.
Local businesses have donated prizes for a raffle.
It costs $3 to enter.
Doing swimmingly
Local kids will be doing their best to help the crisis in health funding this weekend.
Children aged between 2-12 will participate in a swim-a-thon to raise money for the Nurse in a million competition.
The kids will be swimming at the Kalina pool, Caroona from 8.30am until 5.30pm this Saturday and have organised people to sponsor them for every lap they swim under the supervision of qualified swimming instructor Kerrie Wawn.
The money will go to help Georgina Manson, an entrant in the nurse in a million competition which raises money for cancer research.
'Everyone knows or has friends who have cancer. The kids are just swimming for them,' Manson said.
If anyone would like to sponsor a swimmer or donate to the cause please contact Kerrie Wawn on 6622 6636.
Surf safety message
By helping your pet stay parasite free you can increase our Surf Life Saving Clubs' chances of receiving new rescue equipment.
As the weather starts to get warmer and our beaches busier, Surf Life Saving New South Wales (SLSNSW) is encouraging residents in Lismore to be even more vigilant about surf safety.
More than 6,000 rescues were carried out during the 2000-2001 season in NSW including 250 on the far North Coast.
SLSNSW and surf clubs on the far North Coast plan to continue to raise beach awareness this summer in the hope that tragic fatalities can be avoided.
Understanding the ocean is extremely important: recognising danger signs and awareness of surf conditions is an essential part of lifesaving.
SLSA has recently introduced Rescue Water Vehicles into their fleet of surf rescue craft to provide additional rapid response capability.
Merial Australia is donating three of these Rescue Water Vehicles to Surf Life Saving Australia to giveaway to three states.
Local residents can increase NSW's chances of winning a Rescue Water Vehicle by visiting their local vet clinic, purchasing Frontline and nominating their State Surf Lifesaving Association to enter the Rescue Water Vehicles prize draw. Further details are available at your local vet.
Alstonville look for 3 in a row
Alstonville will be to continue their unbeaten beginning to the season when they take on Ballina in the LJ Hooker cricket league this Saturday and Sunday at Fripp Oval, Ballina.
Alstonville went close to taking an outright victory over Lismore Workers last weekend after declaring at 3-330 then dismissing Workers for 90 in their first innings and sending them back in.
Workers managed to hold on to avoid the outright loss by knocking up 9-220 in their second innings, giving Alstonville a first innings victory.
Workers will now take on the Casino Cavaliers at Nesbitt Park this Saturday and the following Saturday.
Casino managed a tight first innings victory over Souths last weekend, having scored 119 in their first innings and dismissed Souths for 113, Mark Bratti and Lee Jones each taking five wickets for the Cavaliers on their way to victory.
Souths will have a chance to redeem themselves when they match up against Eastern Districts at Nielson Park over the next two Saturdays.
Easts scored an easy first innings victory over Brunswick-Byron last weekend after declaring at 7-112 in reply to Brunswick-Byron's 85.
Brunswick-Byron finished their second innings at 4-44, avoiding the outright loss without too much trouble.
Brunswick-Byron now take on neighbours Lennox Head at Saunders Oval, Ballina this Saturday and Sunday.
Lennox suffered a first innings loss at the hands of Marist Brothers last weekend, when Brothers declared at 8-225 and Lennox could only manage 154 in reply.
Brothers will see if they can continue their winning run when they play Norths-Goonellabah RSL over the next two Saturdays at Heaps Oval, Lismore.
Norths put in a dismal first innings showing against Tintenbar-East Ballina last weekend, managing only 72 in response to their opponents 8-272.
Norths did manage to pull together for their second innings thanks to the middle order of Jim McLaughlin (39), Steve Mead (48) and Nathan Bonamy (42 not out), and finish the day's play at 7-143, giving Tintenbar-East Ballina the first innings win but managing to avoid the outright loss.
Become a fitness leader
The NSW Department of Sport and Recreation has announced that a Fitness Leaders Course will be conducted at Lennox Head in November.
The course is to be held at the Lake Ainsworth Sport and Recreation Centre from November 12-22, excluding the weekend.
The course will be conducted by FIA (Fitness Institute Australia) and is the first step towards becoming recognised as a qualified Aerobics Instructor, Aqua Aerobics Instructor, Gym Instructor or as a Personal Trainer.
Designed to enhance basic health and fitness knowledge, successful participants from the course will gain a basic knowledge of the structure and function of the human body. They will also possess the ability to plan and conduct safe exercise programs for groups and individuals.
The course fee is $565.00 per person which covers all lectures, practical workshops, morning and afternoon teas, manual, certification and a course t-shirt.
For further details and application forms, phone 131302.
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