Dateline: Copmanhurst, Northern Rivers NSW

From our Northern Rivers correspondent, Mazza

A Saturday wind-up Party for the Grafton and Copmanhurst Folk Clubs ended with a Sunday morning Roads Bowls match, between Red Team & Purple Team. All but the 2 Captains, being total novices to the game!

The course was on the host property on Stockyard Creek Road, Coaldale, mostly a sand and gravel track, 1.5Km long, with lots of twists & bends, and the day was a pleasant 30 degrees.

Red Team, Captained by Paul C, won with 77 throws and 5 penalties (mostly interference and 1 "No Bowl" call).

Purple Team, Captained by Mazza, displayed their amateur artisan talents better than Red Team, their play format being more like delicate handicraft ~ just a little (distance) .. at a time! Purples scored 97 throws with 1 penalty.

Our novice Umpire, Gemma O, was also a star in her own right, doing a marvelous job. She had firmly refused to take any bribes under $50, so no money changed hands.

Red team had plenty of rest with twenty 'byes'. But despite wanting something to do, they really didn't have to "sic" that cavalry of bull-ants on her; However, bush medics from both teams were quick to pull bracken and apply its efficacious oil to her wounds.

Among the 'virgin players' were a couple of consistent Champion performances, Phil O & Matt O, punctuated with flashes of brilliance from several other Players. Folks, who were quick on the pick up, learned a lot from the Champions about successful techniques; 'getting the finger under it' has taken on a whole new meaning!!!

Sadly there were no 'After' piccies; by the end anyone still standing was preoccupied with cold fruit salad and ice-cream, and side-splitting post-postmortems.

I sense an interest in another match a lot sooner than the five years since the last one!!!!

Your, (totally impartial), Copmanhurst Road Bowls Reporter, Mazza