North Ipswich - we steamed and got steamed!

When we arrived in Ipswich on Tuesday, we drove around to all the clubs. North Ipswich was closed but we saw a bloke in there and knocked on the door. He gave us a bit of history and information about bowls in Ipswich. He let us in to put our names down and Mal rang Neil to find out what time.

They are the North Ipswich Steamers.

Denise told Jean there was a railway workshop nearby and the workers started it as a Railway Bowls Club. They've kept the train.

They had their 50th anniversary on 2005.

We met Dudley in the office.

Des and Gloria introduced themselves. Des was the organiser.

Russell sold Mal some raffle tickets.

The clubhouse is nice.

Chair (John McLeod) came over for a chat. He told us he was the first player signed to the Canberra Raiders. He also played for Wests. We had a lovely chat about his footy days.

There are two nice grass greens.

We played on the lower green,

It's the RC Weatherhog Green.

Jean was very pleased to see Labor Members as sponsors. They are rare in Queensland which is one reason Jean doesn't want to live here.

There's a nice little trolley for bits and pieces.

We played triples - two games of twelve ends. Jean was lead for Mal as skip with Dudley.

(Jean, Mal and Dudley)

For the first game against Skip Tom, Rhonda and Denise, who is John McLeod's wife..

(Rhonda, Denise and Tom)

Jean put down some good bowls. End 5 she took kitty with her third bowl for shot.

Mal bowled beautifully with his new XGs. So many times he got us out of trouble.

Dudley also bowled very well. Someone said before the game "Dudley's a great skip!" Jean said "Well if he's a good skip, he'll be a great second." They said "He's also a number one lead!" His blue bowls were always in the head.

Tenth end Jean put in three beauties. Mal was happy.

Second last end it was 12 to 2 our way. Dudley and Mal did it again for four.

We came in at half time for a cuppa and bickies.

Jean told Rhonda she played yesterday with Rhonda Harris. She told Jean there are three Rhondas who play together from North Ipswich, Ipswich and United (East Ipswich). That one is Rhondda double D.

Second game winners played winners so we played Keith, Ken and Rod.

Second end Jean took kitty then Mal consolidated

It was a tougher game. Score was even.

We kept getting one or two then Keith would come in and pinch shot. We went down five with three ends to go. That was the death knell. We went down 15 to 8. Even so, we got the money for 1st game winners.

North Ipswich - chugged along to start but the train got away from us.