United (East Ipswich) we liked the jokes!

We went to East Ipswich (United Sports) when we arrived on Tuesday and got our names down for 12:30 Saturday .

Rhonda from North Ipswich told Jean the club has been bought out by a parent club that doesn't care about the bowlers. The have sold off some greens. They are building units.

In the carpark we met Gaetan from Mauritius.

The club was buzzing. It seemed like a real workers' club which Jean loved.

At the desk we met Bob and Steve, who is the new club President as of Today.

(Bob, Gaetan and Steve)

The club has one and three-quarters of a green. They had to shorten it for corporate bowlers.

It used to be a services Club. There's a memorial.

They play fours on Saturday to practise for Pennants, which starts in June. Jean played lead with Dave, Merve and skip Andy.

(Jean, Andy, Dave and Merve)

Against Ken, Bob, John and Bev.

Mal played second with for skip Gonzo with Craige and Dutchy

Against Alan, Boomer, Greg and P Woodward.

Jean played on the lower green, Mal on the upper.

It was a fast green. To start with Jean was nowhere near it.

The boys measured nearly every end.

Jean went and checked out Mal's game. The boys declared "He's been a foot away all game!" He bowled one closer but they were two down. He played weight and knocked up his team's bowl for shot.

Jean finally got one in the head for two!

It was a tight game.

We came in at half time for drinks.

Ken and the boys are members of 'The United Barflies'. They told Jean the purpose is to consume as much alcohol as possible and play a few ends along the way.

Jean was ecstatic when we went back out and she finally drew a good one. The skips called her down to take a photo "Before someone stuffs it up on you!"

Mal continued to bowl well with shot. He said "I love the way they joke and niggle each other."

Jean's team lost the plot towards the end and went down. Last end Mal did his team proud. They said "Come on Gunner!" "The visitor read our rinks really well. "

They won 18 to 10.

Mal chatted with Greg Riley who asked us to remember him to Andrew Howie when we get to Broadbeach. He told Mal he'll send him a Barflies shirt.

United - most fun we've had at Ipswich.