Why participate in bowls carnivals around the state — and even interstate?
Sonia Matteucci provides some answers in her entertaining report on how she and Diana Frankcom fared at the Sunraysia Classic Prime Series late last week.
There are plenty of reasons: to test yourself against different opposition, meet other bowlers, experience new clubs and conditions — and, perhaps most importantly, have fun.
Sonia and Diana enjoyed the experience so much they are already planning to go back for more next year.
Sonia Matteucci’s Report
Last week Diana Frankcom and I participated in the Sunraysia Classic Prime Series conducted by World Bowls - honestly … what were we thinking!
We played in the women’s pairs at the Mildura Bowling Club and somehow got through to the Quarter Finals.
In the Quarter Finals we wanted to at least win an end and try to not get bowled over with an embarrassing score.
Well, we managed to lose by a small margin of seven and were absolutely delighted as the women we played, who were both from Ballarat, were really experienced bowlers.
They actually wanted us to know that it was the most fun they had had throughout the whole tournament because Diana and I were still bowling to enjoy rather than having pressure to perform and win.
They told us to try and keep that fun aspect of bowling because too many fall into the trap of getting frustrated and disappointed at high level bowls - but I guess, that’s what makes a champion…
Diana and I were so excited to win an end and only lose by seven shots! Too funny!
We also played in the women’s fours with two lovely ladies, Leah and Trish, from Bendigo Bowling Club and Ivanhoe Bowling Club, respectively. See the photo of the four of us in the link below.
The game was held at a lovely club in Coomealla, 20 kilometers from Mildura, and although it was windy we played some great ends but our overall score was not enough to get us through to the final rounds.
Just to prove a point at the high level of play, Leah made it through to the women’s singles and won.
We were there on the Friday cheering her on as she defeated a local player from Mildura Bowling Club and took gold.
It was a great game to watch and all the final matches were telecast on the World Bowls TV YouTube site.
Next year Mildura Bowling Club is hosting a Carnival in May and I am planning to recruit a few more from SBC to participate.
Stay tuned.