Some Shoalhaven Bicycle User Group rides for this week include:

THURSDAY 04/01/18 - MIDWEEK MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE: WEST NOWRA; Moderate pace / Uses Off-road Cyclepaths / Sealed and Unsealed Roads and tracks /  Fire trails and single lane bush tracks in Shoalhaven State Forest / Mountain bike required. This week’s ride starts at 8:00am from Rotary Park, Flinders Road South Nowra. Please note that all Thursday rides will start at 8AM for the duration of summer. Contact: Rod 0428211487.

SUNDAY 07/01/18 - NOWRA, NORTH NOWRA CAMBEWARRA LOOP; 25 km / Slow pace / Easy ride / Some Traffic / Some gravel tracks. Starts at 9:00am from the Carpark, corner of Princes Highway and Pleasant Way, Nowra (at the Helicopter). The ride travels along Illaroo Road, Tapitallee Road, Main Road, Hockeys Lane and Illaroo Road back to Nowra for coffee. The ride will include some bush tracks. Peter (02) 4446 0119. (Ride Leader; Mel or Judi)

SBUG welcomes new riders on all our rides. For details of further rides check the Rides Calendar on our website at www.shoalhavenbug.com.au.

Our rides calendar is updated weekly and occasionally changes are made at short notice so it is recommended that you check the website ride calendar a day or two before an intended ride.

For all information about Shoalhaven Bicycle User Group, log onto our website.

Sailing on the beautiful Shoalhaven River was the place to be on a warm afternoon last Saturday, and Nowra Community Sailing Club ran heat ten of the Bomaderry Bowling Club point score, and the Kel Campbell Trophy of the Day.  Nine Spiral dinghies, one Laser and one Manly Graduate faced the starter in a freshening south east to north east breeze. 

Wayne Norris was first across the line closely followed by Mike Wotten, Merve Lotze, Cameron Phelps, Steve Phelps, and  Bill Jauncey, all sailing Spirals.  Then came Dave and Ross on the Graduate, Richard Pryor, Alan Hawkes on the Laser, then Nev Lotze and Mark McKinnon.

Wayne revelled in the first lap and opened up a worthwhile lead while Steve, Merve and Mike began a tussle for second place that was to last the whole race. Several lengths behind that trio Bill, Dave and Ross, and Cameron also launched into a place swapping contest, soon to be joined by Nev, Richard, and Alan.  Mark was also getting into his stride.

On the fifth lap Nev suffered rudder trouble and capsized.  Bill lost some time checking Nev was O.K. and soon after Dave and Ross went to his assistance, loosing considerable time.

The breeze was so good seven laps were completed in the time allowed and Wayne finished first over the line in 73 minutes and 59 seconds.  Merve was two and a half minutes later with Mike another minute back and Steve 33 seconds behind Mike.  Cameron finished 49 seconds after his dad and Alan was 77 seconds after Cameron and Richard followed him.  Mark dead heated with Bill who had lost time assisting Nev and Dave and Ross came in after those two.  Nev was a retirement. 

For the heat nine of the Bomaderry Bowling Club point score, which is based on personal handicaps, Dave and Ross and Bill were awarded redress time for assisting Nev.  This, and good sailing before assisting Nev gave the race to Dave and Ross, followed by Mike and Alan gaining the third podium place 16 seconds after Mike.  Thirteen seconds later came Steve with Cameron less than a minute later, and Bill twelve seconds after Cameron.  Wayne, Merve, Mark and Richard all boosted their handicap for future races by filling the last four places.  This result gave Dave and Ross the Kel Campbell Trophy of the Day.

This race completed the first half of the season point score which was won by Wayne with 541 points, then Bill on 495, Alan with 443 and Michael Fairbairn on 414.  The second half promises to be at least as close!

This Saturday the club races for heat seven of the Manildra Championship, heat eleven of the Bomaderry Bowling Club point score, and the Kel Campbell Trophy of the Day. As usual visitors are most welcome with the start around 14.20.  

Callala Vets 

First of all the Callala Vets would like to wish all Golfers of the Illawarra area a very Merry Christmas followed by a Prosperous and Happy New Year. A very hot day with a number of players opting to stay at home out of the heat but then there where the rest who play rain hail and shine. Congratulations to all who played and survived the heat with the help of Callala’s trees to give much appreciated shade. Single Stableford was the format for the day’s competition.

The winners’ circle had some faces that we have not seen there for a while and obviously the heat produced their best golf. Terry London took the number one spot on the podium with a very impressive 44 points. Congratulations Terry and I am sure your game today will certainly make it a very Merry Christmas. Second home with a personal best of 42 and a win in the count back with 3rd was Ralph Bristow who I am sure was very impressed with his game. Congratulations Ralph on a great game and also a win in the count back with David Brumby. Third home after the dreaded count back was applied was David Brumby with 42 points. Congratulations Dave on a very consistent and steady game and commiserations on the count back.

Nearest the pins:- 3rd hole Harry Dowling, 10th & 14th Harold Reynolds, 11th Perry Cousins, 16th Gordon Heming. Raffle:- Billy George, Jamie Reardon, Ken Black & Bill Downton. Ball Rundown:-A. Lichacz, G. Hargrave, P. Cousins, B. Faulkner, H. Reynolds, G. Heming, G. Mitchell, B. Downton, H. Dowling, C. Downton, B. Jarman, L. Bebber, A. Mearns, N. Sparks, J. Love.

Callala

Saturday December 30: Callala saw a good field of players all keen to win the last Stableford event for 2017 and also have a go at taking out the Golf Exchange sponsored Callala 11th hole which still remains unconquered and now stands at an awesome $315. As we bid a fond farewell to 2017, we also stop to remember the good and the bad of a year that was. Gary and Michelle Roche who sponsor the Callala 11th hole wish to pass on to all golfers of the Illawarra area their best wishes for a great New Year. Callala Golf Club also would like to wish all golfers in the Illawarra a fabulous and successful 2018.

Taking the honour today was one of Callala’s favourite sons, Gordon Heming, who played a great round of golf to record a result of 43 stableford points. Due to Gordons’ great back 9 he was able to defeat Runner up, Cath Cousins, in the count back. Unfortunately, even though Cath played a very impressive round to also record 43 stableford points once the count back was applied she became the runner up. Third home was Steve Monsalve who also played a very good round to record 40 stableford points. Congratulations to Gordon, Cath and Steve.

Nearest the Pin:-3rd hole Steve Mons, 10th John Love, 14th Mirko Lalic and 16th Adam Long. Raffle:- Dave Brumby, Harry Dowling & Graeme Weston. Ball Rundown: – B. Jarman, G. Hosking, N. Sparks, B. Downton, D. Dickeson, H. Dowling, T. Mortel,    H. Reynolds, J. Morris, A. Long, G. Hargrave, J. Lucas, I. Sesum & P. Cousins.

WWPSWC

Back again at the Course on the Hill were 9 of our members contesting a Stableford Event. After the rain the night before the golf course sparkled this was helped by the work being done by the combining of the two clubs. The winner on the day was Benjo with a convincing 20 points for the nine holes. Next was Tommo always in there somewhere with 18 points, third was Cyrano with 16 points and taking out the nearest the pin on 5th.

As this was the last round of golf for the year 2017 and the members being reminded that they go back to their standard handicaps for the next games of the following three months. Members are also  reminded that our AGM will be held at the Country Club, after the game there on the 20/1/18, lobbying may now commence for committee positions. All the members present were wished a Happy Healthy New Year for the coming 2018 and this goes for all the absent members, too and our many friends out there. Next week’s game is at the Country Club hit off at 7.30 am.

Nowra Golf Club

Congratulations to Flash Jordan for his win in the Golf Illawarra Champion of Champions held at Kiama on December 17. I think that it is a long time since we have had a local champion win the District Event. Well done, Flash.

Saturday's event was a Single Stableford with a field of 117. A Grade was won by Craig Crump with 40 points from Roger Hardy & Stephen Rice on 39. The long drive went to Luke Sargent. Derek Trusler blitzed B Grade with 44 points from Col Grimditch & Scott Goodger, both with 40. Rob Coulthart took out the long drive. Jim Brown with 42 points had the best score in C Grade, followed by Greg Hickey 40 and John Atkinson 38, with Peter Courtney hitting the longest drive. Nearest the pins went to Brendan Schutz on the 4th, Geoff Honeysett from Penrith on the 8th, Rob Vanzino was closest on the 12th and the 16th went to Tim O'Shea.

Wednesday's  Single Stableford was won by Ross Tooley with 43 points from Maurie Bruce 41 and Col Reeve 40. The 4 Ball was won by Gary Simek & Paul Rynehart with the best 46 points. Nearest the pins were won by Stephen Rice on the 4th, the 8th to Collin Lott and the 16th & Jackpot being won by Graham Smith. Congratulations, Graham.

This is the first time that the Jackpot has been won in over 12 months.

A Happy New Year to all golfers and may 2018 see your handicap reduce.

Worrigee Vets

Winners: A. 45pts Col Bridgestock, 44 Chris Pender. B. 45 pts Bob Cannon, 42 Bruce Ryan. C. 45 pts Bob Carter, 43 George Jurotte. Ntp: 6th C Bridgestock 710cm, 12th Brian Herring 1350, 8th Bob Cannon 97, 17th Stu Dossetor 422. D&P: 4th S Achurst 170cm, Ian Cochburn 287, Stu Dossetor 1700, 9th D Reid 624, 15th J Storrie 325. Three visitors - Bill Ryan (The Heads), John Storrie (Bowen Qld) and Gary Plows (Casino).

Nowra Athletics held their final 2017 Track and Field competition night prior to Christmas. There were plenty of reindeer antlers and Santa hats spotted around the track.

The feature event was the infamous Christmas Mile. With handicaps organised little Noah Dyball and Eva Moeller-Duhme both started off Go. Many of the sprinters lined up for the distance event too including Emerson Brian and Lachlan Kaszonyi. Harry McGill, home from university, received the last handicap start of 4.40 minutes. Noah Dyball led the race for most of the mile and it was only in the closing metres that Jade Mustapic off a 2.32 minute handicap was able to run him down to take the win. Victoria Kennedy ran in for third place.

As has become tradition, Peter Condon donated Christmas puddings for the first male and female athlete across the line which meant both Jade and Noah were winners!

A sausage sizzle rounded off the night's festivities. Thank you to Lisa, Andrew and Sean Carroll for organizing the Christmas fare.

Nowra Athletics would like to wish all their members a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Stay safe and keep running! Track and Field will resume on Wednesday 10th January 2018.

Berry Men's Bowling Club

Due to other commitments social play was not organised for Wednesday 27th December.

Number of players for Saturday 30th was small due no doubt to the rather hot temperatures that had to be handled.

Two triples matches were played and after leading until end 20 Barry Dunn, Geoff Lidbetter and Brian Tisdell saw their opponents R. Keevers, Bob Dunn and Rob Folkard score five counters on end 21 which gave them the match by one shot.

The other match saw Harry Harrop, Deb Folkard and Lindsay McNamara score six on the first two ends but then saw the match taken by Ken Stephens, Annette Tisdell and David Lambert with high scoring consistent play.

The third match played on the day was a two bowls triples as practice for the forthcoming District Fours.

This was taken out by Phil Chittick, Adam Rigney and Peter Delamont from Russell Tulloch, Neil Robinson and David Badger.

Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemen Mens

Wednesday, December 20, the fast green was a pleasure to play on.

Rink 1 held the first game of Triples. This was a hard fought game with Matthew Rosina, Bert Watson and Bert Madge playing wonderful bowls to come home the winners at 23 shots to 16.

Rink 2 Another game of triples with Greg Morphett, Less Stuart and Ray Solway just getting home from a fast finishing opposition by 22 to 20 shots.

Rink 3 witnessed John O’Dell and John Edwards playing magnificent bowls to devastate their opposition by 20 shots to 13.

Rink 4 This was the match of the week. Both teams had a solid start when they each won an end by 5 shots. Joe Wright and Dooley Gould (welcome back Dooley) then found their concentration and played some sublime bowls including another fabulous five and some fantastic threes to be leading by 17 to 6 on the 8th end. Could they lose the game from that position? Tommy Smith and Alessandro Lattanzio dug deeply into their bag of tricks and slowly clawed their way back 2 shots at a time. Joe and Dooley offered some opposition but Tommy and Alessandro would not be denied. A fantastic three had them at 19 to 22 on the 20th end. Could they sustain this long run and win the game? Close but no apple pie! A fantastic 3 had them tie the game at 22 shots all. Could they continue the onslaught? YES, another fabulous 3 by Tommy Smith and Alessandro Lattanzio won them the end and the game by 25 to 22 shots. What a comeback!

Rink 5 In the last game of pairs, David Solomon and Roy Cartledge played at their very best and trounced their opponents by 28 shots to 15.

Draw Results: 1st Prize Rink 4 Tommy Smith and Alessandro Lattanzio. 2nd Prize Rink 1 Matthew Rosina, Bert Watson and Bert Madge. 3rd Prize Rink 2 Greg Morphett, Less Stuart and Ray Solway. 1st Spin Rink 5 David Solomon and Roy Cartledge Not Won. 2nd Spin Rink 4 Tommy Smith and Alessandro Lattanzio WON.                                                                 

Saturday 23rd December was a stinker of an afternoon. The green was rolling at a fast pace.

Rink 2 witnessed Steve Hollington, Ray Solway and Peter Smith play outstanding bowls to come from behind and crush their opponents by 23 to 14 shots.

Rink 3 saw a very tough struggle win Matthew Rosina, John Newbold and Tim McCormack emerging winners by 23 shots to 19.

Rink 4 was another superb game with both teams showing us splendid bowls and tying at 13 all. John O’Dell, Allan Rose and Dave Milne (welcome back Dave) won on a count back by 11 ends to 7.

Draw Results: 1st Prize Rink 3 Matthew Rosina, John Newbold and Tim McCormack. 2nd Prize Rink 4 John O’Dell, Allan Rose and Dave Milne. 3rd Prize Rink 2 Steve Hollington, Ray Solway and Peter Smith.