Dungog bowlers celebrate world record

by admin on May 12, 2013

There were celebrations all round at Dungog Memorial Bowling Club last night after setting the record for the world’s longest game of continuous lawn bowls, as Josh Callinan reports for the Maitland Mercury.
The 107-hour match wrapped up about 7.30pm yesterday after first rolling out at 8.30am on Wednesday.
This four-and-a-half-day effort eclipsed the 2010 mark of 105 hours held on the other side of the world in England at Manchester venue Llyod Hotel Bowling Club.
But the record now belongs to the little town from regional Australia and the club couldn’t have been any happier with the achievement.
“It’s just brilliant,” Dungog Memorial Bowling Club secretary manager Jeff Beard said.
“A few of the guys are a bit sore and sorry but it’s worth all the pain.”
Beard said most of the club’s 40-plus members participated in the record attempt through day and night, some individuals for more than 35 hours.
“Even the guys on night shift doubled up no worries at all,” he said.
“It was all systems go.”
A few visitors dropped by as well. 
“There was a game between Clarence Town and East Gresford yesterday, which took up a four-hour stint,” he said.
“Plus we had a few people come in off the street and local businesses – they showed a bit of interest and rolled a few ends.”
The exact number of ends played and the final score, between the Giants and All Stars, was to be revealed at a fund-raising raffle at the club late last night.
The figures were expected to exceed 600 ends with more than 1300 scoring shots counted. 
Beard said he didn’t expect the 107-hour mark to be acknowledged by the Guinness Book of World Records because of the expensive fees associated with having officials on location, however, he was confident the feat would be noted by Bowls Australia and by the English club they trumped.
Whatever the case may be, Beard said he and his fellow bowlers were finally looking forward to some refreshments at the end of play.
“I think we earned a schooner or two,” he said.
The club was hoping to raise about $2000 for charity groups such as Dungog Hospital women’s auxiliary, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and the NSW Police Legacy.