We were supposed to be in Bundanoon today. They don't have a game so we were to roll up. Jean made a suggestion that we could come back later when a game's on and get to Canberra a day early. Mal jumped at the chance and immediately phoned Tuggeranong Bowling Club to get his name down for Friday.
We've parked the van at Mal's daughter Laura's in Belconnen. We arrived at 10 and raced around to set everything up so we could leave at 11:30 "I can't be late!" Cried Mal. He was busting to get there to see his mates and check out the new synthetic green.
Mal arrived with three minutes to spare. Patrick, Tony and Kevin said "Typical Mal!"
The boys were all there like usual.
It's Mal's home green so we already knew there are three greens.
We weren't familiar with Green 3, The Eddie Weatherall Green - the brand new synthetic - one week old (Mal has kept up with the news).
Mal played with new bowler Wayne
Against veteran bowler Joe and Alan.
They played on the middle green. Jean remembered when Mal played Pennants here for Weston Creek years ago the boys were worried. Mal said "Don't worry boys, his is my favourite green. I know every blade of grass!"
It's the Reg Bates Green. We remembered fondly Reg being self-deprecating the day it was dedicated.
Jean had to go and do some shopping so left Mal to his own devices. Mal was having a bad day. Wayne is a new bowler who bowled ok but said he has issues he's not sure how to fix. Jean returned at end 20 and Mal pointed to his bowls "That's the closest I've been all game!"
On the last end he came into his own. They lost 39 to 5.
Jean said to Mal "You'd better bowl better than that when you bowl with Dale on Wednesday!"
Clearly the middle green's not lucky any more!
Comments