Double vax likely needed to compete in bowls country week says Bowls WA

BowlsWA has reacted quickly to last week’s announcement from the WA Government in regard to vaccine mandate requirements for all pubs and clubs. The requirement comes two weeks out from the Inter-zone Round Robin in Busselton and seven weeks before the start of the 2022 men’s and ladies’ country week titles. Bowls WA competitions and talent development manager Pieter Harris said while certain clarifications were still being sought, it appeared obvious that licensed bowling clubs State-wide would require members to be double vaccinated. Therefore, country week players will need to be double vaccinated, he said. “BowlsWA will be sending out information next week once the body has clarification, giving entered players the opportunity to withdraw or change teams to fit in with the regulations,” Mr Harris said. “So all I can really confirm with you at the moment is that it is our intention that country week will continue with all host clubs and players complying with the laws as they stand at the time.” On the local scene, the Wonthella Bowling Club hosted the Brockman Plumbing open triples last Wednesday with a healthy 20 sides competing in the one-day event. The day marks the recommencement of the 2021-22 Batavia Bowling season, with the 60 competitors ultra-keen to get back on the greens ahead of the pennant premiership restart in just two weeks’ time. The tournament attracted players from throughout the Mid West along with outlying zones. Just three sides remained undefeated, with fewer than a handful of combinations unable to claim a victory from the three opportunities. The winning combination was the Geraldton Bowling Club trio of Gary Cosegrove, Trevor Smythe and Benjo Brennan, who finished the day with three match wins, 23 ends won and a plus-25 shot aggregate. The trio conceded just seven of the 30 ends during the day in a polished display. Wonthella’s Peter Swaan, Ernie Ainsworth and Jim Halden were also outstanding, finishing just one shot and one end short of the winners. Brian Wright, Warwick Glenister and Ian Thomas from the Geraldton Club claimed third with three wins, 18 ends won and a plus-17 at completion. Wonthella captain Nick Waldon said he was happy with attendance of 20 sides and confident next year would result in a further increase in numbers. This weekend the Denison Bowling Club takes centre stage with the annual two-day Kalis fours carnival. The 2022 edition is another capacity field and the first on the new synthetic greens. Players are coming from all over the State to compete in the club’s premier tournament of the season.