Farcical Rule Interpretation Forces Ettalong To Forfeit

Newcastle Herald

Wednesday February 27, 2008

John Gilmour ON THE KITTY

THE Invitation Big Bowls Challenge major semi-final between Ettalong Memorial and Kurri Kurri descended into a joke last Thursday night when the Eagles were forced to forfeit the pairs rubber.

Competition rules state a player must play three games to be eligible for the play-offs.

Marquee player Shane Garvey was in Melbourne competing in the Australian Open and, with two other regular team members also unavailable, Ettalong Memorial were left with only four remaining qualified players.

Ettalong Memorial applied to the controlling body for special dispensation to utilise two other members from within their club, but their request was denied.

The rule was obviously only designed to cover marquee players, and therefore the controlling body must reword the law forthwith.

Meanwhile, Ettalong Memorial will have all three players back on deck when they host Charlestown on Friday night.

The winners will meet Kurri Kurri in the grand final at Nelson Bay the following Friday night.

Garvey will play singles against Charlestown marquee player David Holt, who missed the Tigers' minor semi-final win over Redhead, also because of the Australian Open.

But neither Garvey or Holt will be available for the grand final.

They will be playing on opposite sides when Engadine and Mt Lewis meet in the NSW Premier League competition that same night.

? John McCormack turns back the clock when he plays for Hamilton North against Wallsend at Wallsend on Saturday in the Newcastle No.2-grade pennant competition.

McCormack played his entire career with Waratah until the club closed its doors in August and, apart from his first season in pennants when he played No.2 grade in 1966, he has been in the top grade ever since.

Meanwhile, McCormack was joined by three other former Waratah clubmates Mark Casey, Jeff Callister and Zen Hyndko to win the Hamiilton North Fours Championship on Sunday.

? Cal Burke, Bob Oliver who was substituting for George Dawes Gary Young and Greg Sattler beat Kevin Ryan, Owen Jefferson, Damien Robb and Howard Smith 20-15 in the Kahibah fours championship final on Sunday.

? Ken McKeown, Barry Lakeman and Adrian Yeo claimed a hard-fought victory over Bob Weir, Laurie Welsh and Alan Thompson in the Tea Gardens triples championship decider.

? Entries close today for both the Newcastle District Fours Championship and Newcastle District Junior Fours Championships.

? Kahibah hold their annual charity day to benefit the Westpac Rescue Hospital on Sunday from 9.30am.

Swansea Workers will stage a benefit day in aid of the Mater Hospital at Waratah on Monday.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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