WOMEN’S BOWLS – 

A team travelled to Young on Tuesday to take part in their Presidents Day. Although we did not win the day, we did win our game against Cootamundra Country Club and won the skips resting toucher. A good day all round.

Thursday was a good social game. No championship games played as yet but there is still a fortnight left for the first round.

We extend our best wishes to Courtney Hunter and Kathy Betcher when they play the State Pairs Championship at Taren Point this week.

The club has nominated as a stand-alone pennant team this coming year. We have notified Boorowa Ex-Service of this and thanked them for their support over the past two years. Hopefully we will be able to make the grade.

Don't forget. Championship games must be played with a match/selection member in attendance.

Everyone is invited Thursday and Saturday for social bowls. Come and have fun.

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NETBALL – 

This Thursday, September 6, is week 3 of competition at the netball courts. This means that Team sheets and all player forms are to be returned along with team fees.  Also all players need to be Bowling Club members otherwise no play.  Bowling Club membership runs from July to June.

Results from Round 2, Thursday August 30.

Goal Diggers  46  def  T’s and B’s  6

Last Minute 38  def   NWA  2

Wild Hogs 27 def Sweaty Netty 12

Draw for Round 3, Thursday September 6

6.30pm   Wild Hogs  v   NWA – Duty: T’s and B’s

6.30pm Sweaty Netty  v  Last Minute – Duty: T’s and B’s

7.30pm Noice Garry  v  T’s and B’s –   Duty: Sweaty Netty

Bye - Goal Diggers

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WOODBRIDGE CUP – 

Grand Final At Manildra Sunday September 2

Youth League Grand Final 

Manildra 18 def Canowindra 14

League Tag Grand Final 

Cargo 20 def Eugowra 18

1st Grade Grand Final 

Trundle 26 ( Clay Hartin, Adam Porter, Cameron Skinner, Hayden Robinson, Adam Hall Tries Adam Hall 2 Brad Watt Goals) def Manildra 22 (Jayden Fahey, Hamish Cowley, Grant Williams, Hugh Gibson tries Craig Tarr 3 Goals)

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HONOUR FOR LARSEN – 

By: Nick McGrath

Peter Larsen spent 20 years as part of the Central West Rugby Union’s judiciary system in a bid to uphold the spirit of rugby.

Few could argue, even those that fronted his judiciary, the Cowra-based rugby pundit didn’t do that in spades.

Larsen was honoured with life membership of the CWRU, and presented with his medal at the Blowes Clothing Cup grand finals at Endeavour Oval in Forbes..

Two decades on the judiciary, 19 of which he served as chairman, Larsen says he initially got involved to give back to the game and ended up staying for the long haul to help maintain a fair standard to arguably the toughest gig in the region.

“It is challenging,” he smiled, retiring from the post at the end of the 2017 season.

“But I honestly think there’s not too many mistakes over the years. I think we got it pretty right, we showed a bit of empathy but at the same time maintained a certain standard where guys knew if they came before us we would uphold the spirit of rugby.”

Larsen has served with a number of panel members, too many to count over the course of two decades, and thanked those who contributed in a “totally voluntary” role.

He made special mention of Kim Rickards, Fred Boog, David Greatbatch, Chris Messenger and Bob Sullivan who he described as “very fair men making judgements in difficult circumstances”.

Retired CWRU chief executive officer Peter Veenstra presented Larsen with his medal and said the long-serving judiciary chairman had made an “enormous contribution” to rugby union in the central west.

“Through his leadership the judiciary has been recognised as the best judiciary outside of Sydney, and that’s run by three senior council in Sydney,” Veenstra said.

  “Pete’s not legally trained but does a great job and the reputation he’s earned for the judiciary is something to be proud of. He’s done a great job.”

Larsen was thrilled to receive the life membership medal.

“I never expected it, and didn’t do it for the award. I did it for the love of the game and a respect of the players, to see a job done properly. I’m shocked, but very proud,” he added.

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Sports fans, now's the time to take a stand – 

By: Janine Graham

They call it the business end of the year. But for the casual sports fan, it’s just the beginning. It's that time when footy gets serious. So that means footy ramps up in the water cooler chat stakes.

You know how it works. A colleague you really don't know all that well but who wants to maintain a veneer of care and friendliness, says, first thing on Monday morning: “So, what about those Tigers, then?”

Fear courses through your veins. Tigers? Uh-oh. Which Tigers? Richmond? Wests? No, wait, is he from the NSW Central West, is it Oberon Tigers? 

No, no, maybe he's talking Premiership League rugby in England and it's the Leicester Tigers … Or maybe I'm one of those bizarre breeds of sports fans who has a “second team”. 

What even is that? It's the sporting equivalent of having Vegemite on your morning toast on Monday and then Promite on Tuesday. No, just no. It's one or the other, folks. There's might be 50 shades of grey, but as soon as you cross the white stripe of the footy field (or netball court, or starting grid, or popping crease) it's black and white.

Exactly how you get to “the one” is one of the great mysteries of the world. A completely unscientific snap office poll suggests four distinct camps. The “family tradition” answer figured significantly. To me, that reeks of laziness and blind acceptance. Whatever happened to challenging your parents? In a healthy, respectful way, of course. 

It's a bit like deciding your political affiliation because “that's how my parents vote”.

Geography understandably plays a part. We have inexorable connections to not just hometowns but to places we've lived. We're tribal beings, after all. Then there's the almost inexplicable: “Ohhh, I dunno – the colours? The mascot. Not sure, really?” 

My favourite is the anti-vote, though it carries trace elements of “underdogism” as well. It’s a phenomenon best explained by a colleague whose school principal supported Manly. That drove her to sustained support of the Newcastle Knights ever since. Not one person volunteered a “second team”. And yes, there was an opportunity to do so.

So swinging sports fans, it's the pointy end of the season for you. With finals series starting in major codes soon, choose a team and stick with it. You never know, it might turn out to be more than a one-season stand.