After a thunderstorm 20 minutes before game time and with a stiff northerly breeze, play began as scheduled. The final saw two strong teams facing off: Di McBryde, Chris Carey and Rod Silber against Margaret Ledbury, Greg Smith and Jackie Wilmshurst. Team Silber raced out of the blocks and after 7 ends were up 10-0. However, Jackie's team fought back and with Greg Smith putting the jack in the the ditch on a long end, the score was 10-6 after 10 ends. But Rocket Rod was not happy and demanded more from his team who accommodated. Winning the next 7 ends including a two 2's, a 3 and a 4 raced away to 20-7 and it was slipping away from Team Jackie's grip. Final score 26-10.

A great effort from Marg, Greg and Jackie and congratulations to Di , Chris and Rod Silber.

Summary provided by Chris Carey

Carol Whitehead and Barbara Woodfield played an exciting final in the Women's Minor Singles on Tuesday. It was a hot and stormy day but the ladies managed to finish before the terrible weather came through. Carol got off to good start, taking the first few ends. Barbara then got into her groove and won 7 ends in a row, taking the lead with a score of 13 to 6 after 12 ends. Carol started to catch up but Barbara was still in the lead 18 to 16 after 21 ends. Carol then stormed home, winning the next 4 ends to take the match 25 to 18. What a great game! Well played ladies, you should both be proud of your efforts.

Very different conditions for the Semi-Finals of the Men's Fours championship. A grey, mild day after overnight rain had left Green No. 2 running considerably slower than we've been seeing of late.

On Rink 9, the four of Peter Tonoli, Tim Walton, Laurie Wilson and Chris Wood faced off against Tony Pope, Andrew Murphy, Peter Larcombe and John Cumming. Chris Wood's side couldn't have asked for a better start as they took the first seven ends to lead 10-0. John Cumming's four were able to cut that down to a six-shot gap before Chris & co. landed five shots in two ends to lead 15-4. From there the teams traded ends but John's side could never close the gap. Finally Chris' four took ends 17 through 20 and ran out deserving winners at a final score of 23-9.

Next door on Rink 10 the other semi-final was a match-up between Lawrence Barolsky, David Gill, Geoff Rose and Mike Heath up against Wilson Cheng, Fred Alexander, Chris Carey and Rod Silber. In contrast to the other match this game was nip-and-tuck at the start producing a narrow 7-5 lead to Rod's side after 10 ends. The next five ends all went Rod's way and the lead built to 15-5. Rod's side had the advantage now and ran away with the game, finishing on end 20 with a final score of 21-9.

The Final will be played next Saturday, November 30.

The semi-finals of the 2019 Men's Handicap Pairs were played today.

David Bottomley and Gerry Hurdwell took on Trevor Whitehead and Peter Shlager on Rink 11. With a headstart of 8 shots, Gerry's team kept ahead until the 10th end.  Then Peters team got on a run to lead 22 -19 by end 17.  Gerry's team clawed back the deficit to level at 22-22 on end 20.  However a 5 on end 21 took Peter & Trevor over the line and into the final.

On rink 9 Greg Smith and Chris Bergman took on Andrew Murphy and Mike Heath. Both teams were on 15 handicap so no advantage to either.  Chris' team got off to a flyer and were 7-4 up by end 7.  Then Mike's team went on a run, winning 5 ends in a row to go 14-7 ahead by end 12. A 6 on end 15, when Mike took out the only opposing bowl in the head, gave his team a lead of 20-9. From then on Mike's team were in charge,  winning 26-18.

The final will be held on Sunday 1st December. Trevor Whitehead/Peter Shlager v Andrew Murphy/Mike Heath

St Ives triumphed in today's Bicentennial Trophy contest against West Pymble. With three rinks in action at each venue an exciting match was in prospect. At St Ives we welcomed a old stalwart in Jock Currie who gave a most welcome set of introductory remarks before play commenced. St Ives jumped out to an early lead but had to withstand a late fightback by the visitors. St Ives also came away victorious away from home and the overall big board score was 123-110.

Greg Smith accepted the trophy on behalf of SIBC. Well done to all who participated today.
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Well the Saints nearly came marching in but a tricky breeze and a bowl or two flopping the wrong way changed the day.

We started up against a strong Asquith team all called Mark and skipped by Mark “Boof” Devern. A very even game saw us down 13-8 and not looking good on the long ends as Boof was converting everything. So we went to short to the middle and won the next 4 ends then dropped a 1. It was now the 17th end Saints are down 14-13. Jimmy was having a good day and drew some great shoots. We hit the 18th and dropped a four with Scarey just missing a conversion to 1 up by hitting the outside of the shot down and sliding through. 18-13 down and three ends to play. But the Saints weren’t finished scoring a 2 on the next end back to short ends and another 2 to be 18-16 down going into the last. A great draw each from Pete and Jimmy got us a 2 and it was extra end time.

Saints won the toss and kept the mat went short to the middle and were holding 1 when the Asquith third “Consey” trailed the jack for a 3. Scarey drew positively but scrapped of the side of the shot bowl with no result. Boof draw a metre short. Scarey again tries the positive draw only to be hit by the breeze and cutting the head. Game over and into the bronze playoff.

A few cold ones and some sandwiches and we were off to play Manly. Saints jumped out to a 19-2 lead after 5 ends and the rest was history. We all played very well and converted strongly on te next rink Belrose played Asquith for the gold and a strong Belrose team of Steve Lowe, John Ventamen, James Brown and Doc Smith won the day 23-17.

Thanks again to my teammates Rocket Rod Silber, Pistol Pete Shlager and Jimmy “Midgey” Barclay. Great to play with you and maybe we go one better next year.

Report by ​Christopher Carey

The 2019 mixed triples got underway on Sunday 3rd November.  Winners from round one were, Rod Silber, John Cummings and Jackie Wilmshurst's teams on a hot and humid morning at St Ives.  Rod and Jackie had comprehensive wins, with John's team edging Freds team in a tight contest. Sid Caganoff's team had the bye. The updated draw is shown below.