Bowls NSW and Women’s Bowls NSW had issued a directive suspending all bowls activities including social bowls.  Subsequently Bowls NSW has issued another directive stressing that the suspension applies to all bowling activities and expanded it to include roll ups/practice. 
 
At St Ives we believe that our members must follow this directive and if you come to the club for roll up/practice YOU DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK.
 
We face unprecedented circumstances and these measures are aimed at preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus and avoiding the lock downs we are now seeing in other countries.  So we ask all members to follow the directives issued by Bowls NSW and Women’s Bowls NSW.

Kevin Latham

Bowls NSW and Women’s Bowls NSW have jointly advised today that “all association events, competition events, club events and tournaments and this includes social bowls” are suspended effective immediately.  See the announcement attached.
 
This means that both men’s and women’s Pennants are suspended and organized social men’s bowls tomorrow and women’s social bowls on Thursday are cancelled.  However, on both days green 2 will be prepared and jacks and mats put out so that if you want to come and roll up you can.  It is a personal decision.  Please remember the advice we have been given regarding keeping a social distance (1.5 metre) from other people.

Kevin Latham / Sue Byrne

Rain, rain go away! Unfortunately it didn't and three of SIBCs four sides didn't get off the ground yesterday afternoon- Grades 3, 4 and 6 had a no-result.

Grade 5 did complete their match at Forestville RSL but fell short, losing their unbeaten record by a score of 45-73 (1 pt to 9). 

Zone 9 sprang the upset yesterday afternoon knocking out the three-time champions Zone 12 (Sydney South-West) in a rain-shortened quarter final 54-45. Zone 9 had topped their section with a morning victory over Zone 3 (North-Eastern NSW) 64-51.

Zone 9 will now play their Semi-Final on Sunday at Grandviews BC against Zone 13 (Sydney Central/South).

STOP PRESS: Zone 9 were beaten in their semi-final by Zone 13 74-55.

Defending champions, Zone 9, went out in this year's semi-final losing to Zone 16 (Illawarra) 58-47. Illawarra went on to win the Final, played at Grandviews BC, beating Zone 7 (South-Eastern NSW) 63-47.

With the Senior event completed, the Open event began on Friday. Zone 9 had a won 1-lost 1 record on Day 1. That leaves Zone 9 with a must-win match Saturday morning against the unbeaten Zone 3 (North-Western NSW) to qualify for the quarter finals.

Congratulations again to our two SIBC representatives: Chris Carey in the Open side and Wilson Cheng in the Seniors.
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Wilson Cheng is representing St Ives as a member of the Zone 9 Senior Interzone team in action at the Bowls NSW Championship at Olds Park BC. Zone 9 are defending the senior title they won last year and Wilson is playing lead in a rink comprising Ral Lewis (North Sydney), Tony Taylor and Steve Ashdown (both Belrose).

In their sectional matches Zone 9 came through with three wins out of three. The first match was tight against Zone 11 (Manning) but Zone 9 came through 58-50. The second match against Zone 15 (Central Coast) was one-way traffic as Zone 9 cruised to a 82-46 win. The final sectional game saw Zone 9 have to come from behind against Zone 3 (North-Western NSW) to win eventually by a score 65-50. Wilson's rink, skipped by Steve Ashdown notched up three wins to contribute to Zone 9 topping their section.

In the Quarter Final, played on Wednesday afternoon, Zone 9 came up against Zone 6 (Hunter) and ran away for a most impressive victory 80-19 with all three rinks coming out victorious.

Now Zone 9 face a semi-final on Thursday morning against Zone 16 (Illawarra) to be played at Grandviews BC.

Mixed fortunes for St Ives in Round 2 of the 2020 Pennants competition. Pride of place goes to the Grade 3 side who notched up an impressive victory at Asquith 83-42 (10 pts to 0). That leaves them unbeaten over the first two rounds; a record shared with the Grade 5 side. They also recorded a 10-0 victory on the ladder at home to Neutral Bay, the Big Board showed a final score of 68-46.

Not such a happy outcome for Grade 4 who took on Chatswood at home. They lost a heartbreaker 51-53 and 1 point to 9 for their opponents. Slim pickings this week for Grade 6 who fell at West Pymble 49-63 (0 pts to 10).

The sides for Round 2 of the Pennants season have been announced. Please contact the Selectors ASAP if there are any issues with availability.

Saturday saw the start of the 2020 Pennants season with SIBC fielding four sides at Grades 3, 4, 5 and 6. For the first time in the history of Bowls NSW competitions, women will enjoy an equal footing playing alongside men in the Pennant season. A number of clubs have actively embraced this change and selected women in their Pennant sides, including St Ives. Welcome ladies!

In near perfect conditions St Ives made an encouraging start to the new season:-

• Grade 3 defeated Manly at home 66-51 (8 1/2 pts to 1 1/2).
• Grade 4 had an excellent win away over Asquith 66-61 (8 pts to 2).
• Grade 5 won at home against Turramurra 66-52 (9 pts to 1).
• Grade 6 fell at home against Dee Why 50-85 (1 pt to 9).

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A hectic day at SIBC yesterday with a plethora of teams competing in the Zone 9 Reserve Fours plus six rinks of social bowls.

St Ives had just two representative fours in action yesterday. In the State Fours, played at Harbord BC, Mark Rosenberg's side got through Round  1 beating A. Foy from Asquith 20-14. However, in the afternoon Round 2 match they came up short losing to Mona Vale's A. Glew 17-25.

In the Senior Fours, played at Belrose BC, Rod Silber's four fell in Round 1 to G. Tetstall's Harbord team 13-22.
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