Zone 14 Sponsors

 

The start of the Zone 14 State Championship Fours event for the Lower North Coast area was held at the Hibbard Sports Club (Port Panthers) on Saturday, 27th February.  This event also included a presentation of signed Zone 14 Representative shirts in an encased frame to the Zone sponsors, Jax Tyres and LJ Hooker of Port Macquarie.  Many thanks to President Darrel Foster and his committee and Board Chairman Terry Merchant and his Directors for staging this event.

The entry to the Club looked good with the sponsors flags lining the walkway to the greens and the first round of the event commenced in nice conditions with possible rain threatening later in the day.  The greens were in good condition, especially for those who won and it was especially pleasing to have a team from the current State No. 7 Pennant winning side, Comboyne, competing and they pushed their more accomplished Port City opponents right to the limits, losing in an extra end battle.  It was also pleasing to see teams from Kempsey RSL in the mix and the composition of talent from the other Clubs.

Zone officials, Tony Stokes, Des Hancox,Terry Merchant, Darrel Foster, David Carney and President Ken Errington were in attendance and Zone selectors, John O’Neill and Ken Paulsen were seen casting their eyes over the talent on show.  A good, knowledgable crowd of spectators were in attendance and they witnessed some nice bowling all day and it was pleasing to see local and visitors to the area getting interested in the games.  

The break between the rounds saw the presentations to John and Jane Hrabak (Jax Tyres) and Tony Dekker (LJ Hooker) with their awards by Zone Vice President Tony Stokes and Executive Des Hancox.  The Clubhouse was filled with players, visitors and spectators as President Ken gave a short history re the sponsors and the Zone’s appreciation for their support.  Replies from John and Jan Hrabak and Tony Dekker indicated that they were pleased to be asked, with John expressing his total interest with Jane and he being bowlers and Tony could not express his surprise and delight enough of the sportsmanship and atmosphere being generated. 

After the presentations, teams then went out to do battle in Round 2 of the Championships and the spectator crowd increased during the afternoon.  A couple of late starting games had to be postponed to the next day, owing to rain, but overall, the day was very gratifying for the start of our active bowling year and will continue next week.   Congratulations everyone.

Ken Errington, 28th February. 2016