Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Dead Dog Drizzle 25/11/09

One week after the humiliating loss to their most hated rivals, the Dog looked to change their fortunes and so without consulting the selectors, DDD Jr axed the 2 dead weight bowlers from the previous week, and in slotted GG (Granny Glenda) and Davy Mac. Back from a stint in the Bahamas, Davy Mac, was sporting some dreadlocks and smelt of a possibly illicit substance. With the side looking stronger, DDD Jr thought they would have a good showing, but after 3 ends the dog could not buy a bowl within a Bahama Shlong of the kitty. (incidently its illegal to have a Bahama Shlong within 2 miles of any feline) DDD Jr had some close calls but the opposition Skip was his match. Enter the 4 end. As was the custom the opposition gave the Dogs the Mat and GG layed down a good length end that showed promise, then with 2 bowls bracketing the kitty within 1 foot, and had the dogs looking strong. Davy Mac, added to this total with a well placed back marker but a more important 3 bowl. After DDD Sr had finished, the not so worthy foes could do nothing but wander how their lead had been decimated in 1 end. 4-4 after 4 and the dogs could feel their lucky spot getting itchy. The lightest spinkle of rain began to fall and the dogs decided they would try and take the lead into the 6th hoping for a rain out. The 5th started and after 1 and 2 had gone, the dogs looked in disarray, they had nothing close and worst of all they were down 4 and DDD Sr was up. His first bowl was promising, looking to nestle into the bunch of their foes bowls on the back hand but too firm a grip, and he sailed wide and a touch long. The adjustment was ordered, and DDD Sr saw fit to listen to his Skip, but instead of bowling with less weight, he scratched is 'Bowls' and then put his next shot on rink 17 (we were rink 16) So once again, as has become a common theme for the dog, DDD Jr, with the weight of a million universes and maybe even a diluded bowls career of his own on his soulders, had to do the impossible. Reminisent of the night he first consumated his relationship with Ace von Bertouch, DDD Jr had to squeeze an unlikely sized bowl through a tight gap, that might just hurt someones feelings, but sqeeze he did. DDD Jr found a hole where possibly there was none and with a flacid flop lay his big black bowl down next to the goal...... Dogs claim 1. This was the end for the opponent, the dogs full of fight the 6th end was a rout and 3 shots soon saw the dogs look the goods for the evening. But last week held firm in the mind of the dog, and while up after 6 they went down in 12, which was not to happy thought and one which motivated the Dog to make sure they claimed the victory. Pitter Patter and the heavens opened, down came the rain and the wet but happy dog slunk into the clubhouse, happy with the win, but more so that they could come home early and write the report.

Honours list
GG - Filled the large shoes of LOL well, but not enough to worry the Seasoned opener when she returns from being on loan to Real Bowlsabad.
Davy Mac - good signs, had some positive ends.
DDD Sr - very consistant (consistantly about 2m away)
DDD Jr - stoked with the win!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Dead Dog Disgrace - 18/11/09

Earlier -Ring Ring- - Ring Ring- where the Fuck is the team?

DDD Sr and Jr fronted up to an empty green and 2 dogs down. So with sadness at a long night ahead DDD Jr went and recruited 2 rookies, and rookies they were. Tony a nice man but a useless bowler was to be the number 2 and another friendly face filled the 1 position, but Radar Ray had his radar set to bermuda, and the fucking objective is to get your bowls close the kitty on the green..... well fuck me if DDD sr stepped up at 3, with no Dogs bowls in play 3 ends in a row. So with mother love, DDD Jr, hoisted the Dog onto his muscular shoulders and began to carry them. The first 3 ends DDD Jr step up 2-4 shots down and each time convert this deficit to chalk up point for the dog. DDD started his own picket fence of 1's on the board, not bothering to see what his fellow teammates were doing he simply kept on trudging, sometimes through traffic thicker than the hair on his arse, but the fence kept going, and by the half way mark he had the dogs 5-2 up and looking for howl. This is where most people would switch off their TV's. With 1 and 2 for the dogs deciding they would have a contest of who could get the furthest from the kitty, and DDD Sr having a brain explosion, the dogs left 5-6 with the skip to clean up. The words that emanated from his mouth were, fuck it you retards (no offense to people with disabilities or special needs, in fact I think they would have bowled better) and DDD put 2 in the ditch to teach his apprentices a lesson... not sure what the lesson was, but 5 down in 1 end and the Hurculean efforts of DDD Jr could not help a team better suited to Shot Put. So the night took its turn for the worse and a second team of Teachers from a infamous school started to whoop and yell like they actually could afford to send their kids to that prestigious school.... not Fucking likely. So with a third beer I sit here wandering if I bother write anymore, the dogs were down and not amount of carrying could claw back mule hanging over a cliff when its first 2 legs dont even know they are attached to the mule.

Honorable mention

DDD Sr - for bowling it the wrong way on the 1 end we needed something close
DDD Jr - for not shooting the rest of the team

Dead Dog Dilly Dally - 11/11/09

In a season of little to be proud of the Dog fronted up for a match against a hated foe.... the Teachers from a unnamed school, had come back and in greater numbers, but this was not going to deter the beaten dog. A new look side ambled out onto the park, JTW* (see footnote below) a ring in, and The Hooded Finch, stepping out for the first time since retiring, and a valued extra it turned out. DDD Sr and Jr made up the numbers. The game started with an eb a flow battle but some quick thinking bowls from the Hooded Finch held the opposition at bay, and with 6 end gone the dog had taken a commanding lead. JTW a guy you dont want to play against but one you quite happily play with (annoying) was starting to get under the other teams skin, and the 1 pennant player they had felt the need to tell him that he should not be directing me.... as skipper...... so out came the sheep stations. The other skip was also a bit unnerved, feeling his powers of subduing kids at a primary school would work on DDD Jr, but this folly was met with gutteral tones of laughter "does he (JTW) need to come down here each end?" opposition skip said, "you can tell him not to if you like, but I think he is just excited and wants to kiss you" DDD replied. And so this cat and mouse game of niggle comments continued, but on the scoreboard is where it counts and the Dogs delivered on this account. Apparently the other 2 players for the Social Heirachy did not have tongues, or they were deft mutes as not a tone could be heard coming from them as the game went on...... whispering sounds instead, which sounded as intelligent as leaves on a tree. So it was that this persisted and with 2 ends to play the dogs started to slide. Up by 6 the dogs gave 2 away on the penultimate end to leave the door slightly ajar. As the last hint of light fell below the horizon, and the stillness of the air settled in for the night, DDD JR stepped up to the mat. Last to roll, on an end that saw the Hooded Finch fail to round out an otherwise spectacular night, and DDD Sr less than exciting. DDD looked down the other end. In his hand he held the last bowl, the Dogs were up by 4 but their snidey opposition held 4 on this last end.... so with the faint echo of meatloaf coming from the 1920s audio system, DDD bowled. As it cruised down the green the width looked good, but this had never been a problem for the skipper,his whole life his width was always good. The bowl took a turn at dog corner, and headed for home. A Whoop! erupted for JTW and DDD sr's lips as the bowl came to rest drawing shot and firmly placing their middle finger up at the less than moral opposition. With a smug smile DDD turned and shook the hand of the opposition Skip and if the conversation their eyes had, could be told in words, it would have been. "Lucky shot you little shit" the opposition skip would have said, only to get a reply of "Lucky? Lucky is your wrinkly old bowls ever getting close to the goal again you midget Santa!". and so the Dog walked off a winner.

Best
Hooded Finch - quality all night
DDD Sr - no bowls with the wrong bias
DDD Jr - always there to claim the glory.... might have been just 1 good bowl for the night, but it was the one and mattered

*Footnote: JTW from BBoys, is lets say, a colourful character. Never short of a comment when the game is close and does yell out from time to time when there is a good shot played by his side. He is a tallish man who chooses to support Movember all year round. The Albino caterpillar seen resting from the sun on his upper lip has been known to yell comments of its own when his excitement grows beyond bored!
But when you have a player like this on your side, like any good builder you always use the tools on hand and the largest tool was JTW.


DDD started the way he finished the week before, shot after shot taking the kitty in somewhat of a dance around the other bowls, always being the closest, toying with potential suiters but never to stray to far to let them in. If there ever was a question of the size of DDD Jr's shoulders, then tonight was the night.

Friday, October 30, 2009

dead dog-gone

On a night of firsts, it was the virginity of the opponent that was to take the fore. Like any virgin, they were eager to learn, full of enthusiasm, and utterly useless at handling the bowls. The dogs were looking like forfeiting, with LOL out with a persistent hamstring, which might see her side linded buy the side in order to gain match fitness after the pre-season comp and ready for the Premiership season. DDD and DDD Snr both fronted up on time, but the virgin of the dogs side, 'Dogs Date number 8', unable to arrive until 5 min in and 1 end down, created mayhem in the club rooms and the dogs were rattled by the constant shuffling....

NB. Dogs Date Number 8, was an 11th hour trade before the trade window closed, thursday night. this fearsome south paw was the perfect fit for the side. In his arsenal, a sinking slider, often seen at Norman Reserve on a sunday, deceiving any who dared to stand at the plate. This talent was spotted by DDD, who straight away on hearing the news that Davy Mac would miss the first 3 games due to off field suspension, snapped him up and completed the quad.

...3 on the board early the virgins searched for the groove that would give them the most pleasure, they struck back as DD No. 8, and Andy slotted into their respective spots, taking away the handy 4 bowls that DDD & DDD Snr, were taking. At the half way mark, the dogs had the virgins panting for air, but with a few well placed bowls of their own, the prom night was not going to be such a one sided affair, and dog would have to take pleasure from whatever position they were in.

As the huffing and panting came to a close, it seamed that both sides were partially satisfied with the nights exercise, at 9-9, but also looking for that ultimate climax to take away and cherish. The dog hit first, wanting to drive home their rough bowls to the winning end, but it was the final end that saw both sides come away with a sense of loss. 1 up and turning to finish off, the dog was on top, pounding home its advantage, until the last bowl came to rest at a loose end. This somewhat stray shot, for a skipper who could not find a needle in a stack of needles, gave the encounter an even end. So with mixed feelings of remorse and violation, the players cleaned themselves up, it was the virgins insecurity that made them feel inadequate, but the Dogs could take something away from the game, they had taken from the virgins what they wanted and left them with a sour taste in their mouths.

Monday, March 30, 2009

DEAD DOGS DESPERATE AND DATELESS. – 25th March 2009

Another glorious mild Autumn evening with the night sky darkening quickly, and an air of excitement as your Dead Dog’s team fronted up for the final outing of the season. DDD took to the green early, eager to dispel any rumours of falling prey to bad habits. He was joined promptly by LOL and D-Mac and our team would have been complete, but for the 6.00pm text from Andy Zee striking train problems.

We had an exuberant warm-up, but the minutes ticked over, while the main action started on the surrounding rinks. To our immediate east, the match of the night was in progress – a show down, between the winners of the Tuesday night competition, and the winners of the Wednesday night competition, the Burglars.

DDD was immediately on to the organisers, but indeed this was to be the story of the night – a no-show from our opponents, who had obviously heard of the prowess of the Dead Dog’s team. We could not believe this was to be the finale of the season – ending with a whimper, not a bang.

DDD was decidedly disconsolate – it was obvious for all to see: the edgy pacing of the green, the restless gaze, the twitching right arm – all signs of an addict in need of a fix. It will be no surprise to others who know that young man that he took off in the direction of the other rinks to hawk his body to the highest bidder, to feed the craving inside.

He got lucky with a team called the Bridesmaids, short of a player. They had been looking for a man for a while – all season in fact, and it was a moot point whether they actually found one. Reports suggest he fitted seamlessly into the side, the hair-do, the sweet, swaggering walk, the frou-frou dress etc.

I would like to take up a breach of rules at this point with the DD team management – no documents signed, or transfer fees exchanged on the night. Allegations have been made of “Fine Cotton” ring-in. This sort of behaviour will only bring this team into disrepute!

Meanwhile, D-Mac and LOL were left to play against the Ghosts of Bowlers Past, and to say we vaporised the opposition was an obvious understatement: the perfect shots that we were going to play all season suddenly materialised, but no satisfaction could be gained from this performance.

By this time we were extremely worried by the non-appearance of Andy Zee. Text messages were exchanged with a guarantee that he was on his way - “would there still be a game on?” We didn’t have the heart to tell him “yes, but not on our rink”. D-Mac and LOL stopped for a three-quarter-time drink at 8.45 and AZ appeared out of the darkness. He had walked all the way from Salisbury – NOW THAT’S COMMITMENT!

Too late to start over with a friendly, we called the night quits and headed in for the supper, and the luck of the raffle table. DDD made a guest appearance at this stage, but with the edge taken off his hunger, he hurried on to “business” commitments. A likely story.

A fistful of tickets, and on the penultimate draw, our table struck luck. Andy Zee went forward to take the prize, a choice between the Sausage Rolls, or the International Roast. Unfortunately the Sausage Rolls were not made of bean curds and lentils, and it was with dubious pride he returned to the table with the most fitting trophy to end the Dead Dogs season.

Obviously, a fight broke out as to who would take this worthy prize home. D-Mac was sure the coffee would not find favour with his good lady, and AZ still had an unopened tin at home, while LOL swore she wouldn’t touch the stuff. It was then remembered that there was a little Orphan Boy in Melbourne, down on his luck, who would give his right arm for such a prize.

So there you go, Roscoe, – the Ashes of the 2008-2009 are heading your way.
(hang the food miles – I’ll plant a tree)

Monday, March 23, 2009

DEAD DOGS DIABOLICAL – 18TH MARCH 2009

After a flying visit from a member of the Northern Dogs, and success in our last outing, your team entered the penultimate game of the 2008/09 season with a quiet air of confidence. DDD again scratched himself, and many rumours are now circulating about match-fitness, particularly in view of his confessions of a certain doping scandal. We acknowledge his form at the recent ProAm competition, but realise the stress of fronting up to the greens on a Monday for a 9.00am start must have snapped the slender thread linking him with reality, and we can only wish him a speedy recovery.

It’s a shame to see a promising career cut short in its prime, particularly in view of the World Bowls Championship which hits Adelaide between 24 Nov and 9 December 2012. This is an event that is sure to make Adelaide rock, displacing that pissant car race held last weekend not to mention those arts-farts events on which this city has built a questionable reputation.

Despite our lengthy playing list, no replacement member was available to fill the gap, and a team of 3 took up the challenge. LOL and D-Mac were selected to take the 3 bowls, with skipper Andy Zee to keep the pack tidy from the other end.

Our opposing number were keen to take to the green, and our first win of the night was the toss of the coin. Our opposition skipper had spent the afternoon in the arms of his Muse, Terpsichore – the Greek Goddess of dance, music, free spirits, and, as it happens, Lawn Bowls. His teammates persisted in calling him by another name, but he would be better known by the soubriquet “Terps”.

This was a tightly contested game, with Andy Zee sneaking through the pack to take the first end. Our opponents, through their third and fourth player, came back strongly in the second to take 3 shots, and again in the 3rd end to take a 4 – 1 lead. Despite constant banter from the opposition chorus, Andy Zee again acquitted himself well, and by the 5th, it was a 4-all draw.

At this point, you may me questioning where the bloody hell was D-Mac and LOL, and like Lawrence Springborg, I can’t give a satisfactory answer. Time and again, Kitty was tickled and cajoled, and promises exchanged, only for the wanton creature to succumb to the advances of their number three, who left the field clear for his skipper, bowling with the wides, to make a arcing line in to take shot. Despite the obvious handicaps, the blighter could bowl.

Andy Zee bowled above himself (and below) to keep your DD team in contention, as our score card shows, leaving us still in with a chance at the final end, while the greens were emptying for the pizza feast inside.
However this game was not to be ours, and as our opposition disappeared into the night, along with D-Mac, LOL and Andy Zee were the sole representatives of the match to front the raffle table. Again we were denied – not so much as a whiff of the International Roast, despite a large note being thrown on the table.

FOOTNOTE: “Ace” VonB on his recent visit to Adelaide showed great form in adapting to the high standard of the revitalised Dead Dog team. Unfortunately, you will never know his starring role, as his paperwork has disappeared into the swirling dust of the Never Never land – lost forever.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Dead Dog Drowns Dreams - (Pro Am Monday)

On day of 28° when the trees were all still,
the Dogs were in bed, up for no reason, Nil.
One dog hopped up, with a smile on his face,
he strutted on down to the local bowls place.
Entered he had, into the local bowls comp,
and $2000 he could win with roll and a romp.
Pitted with 3 other bowlers alike,
DDD was on for the fight of his life.
Four games in all, till the finals did start,
Four games to bowl, till he could release a fart.
Game one was a tidy affair on the green,
Four old bowlers meet DDD, they were keen.
The ends completed fast, like virgin in bed,
the ends were all won, except 1 by the Dog Dead.
On to the next game with one in the belt,
DDD had a feeling unlike others he had felt.
Game two was, a quick fast and speedy affair,
the motley bunch of bowlers could taste success in the air.
2 games down DDD could count on 1 hand,
the number of games left for his rang tag band.
Games of 2 were the order for luncheon break,
DDD needed one more win, for the finals to make.
Bowl like the howl of the wind in the air,
bowl shouted the fans to encourage the pair.
end by end the two inch, even closer, and closer,
end by end the two got, more cocky like posers!
After 9 ends were played the bowls were all count,
and the team of DDD, a finals run they could mount!
Last game of the round robin, the team was to fight,
they drew the last game, this sis effect the plight.
Into the finals the team of four went,
Into the finals ranked second, were sent.
First game of finals the team of four stood,
against another team from the local Bowls Hood!
Hawthorn v Hawthorn, and fight till the death,
4 ends only, a knockout was left.
Down early went the DDD, his aim was awry,
now the only thing left was to fight, claw and cry.
4 ends goes quick and with 1 left to play,
the team was left, 2 bowls astray.
On the last end the bowlers of DDD's team fought,
3 was needed to salvage a win of a sort.
but only 2 bowls were left close to the kitty,
DDD was left to rue missed opportunity, a pity.
In the event of a draw, 1 bowl for each side,
T to T this was the only way to decide.
Lead bowler from each of the fighting last teams,
and DDD was the first from his team so it seams.
2nd to bowl the first bowler was close,
DDD needed something within 7 pieces of toast.
with the wind in the air, a gallery full of stares,
DDD delivery a bowl, to pay for his fares.
Out the hand and onto the pristine bowls green,
the bowls was close, the result to be seen.
Alas for the Dog, this was not his day,
the bowl scooted past into the gutter, out of play.
and so the team finished with hung heads and sorrow,
to come back next year to fight on the morrow!

Monday, March 9, 2009

DEAD DOGS DREAMING – 4 March 2009

DDD was an early scratching from this week’s game – a more important event on the Adelaide Cup weekend saw him in the trainer’s hands yet again, with talks of an overuse injury threatening his future career. It was DDD senior who was given the opportunity to replace him in the team.

At this point, Andy Zee was suffering conniptions as he looked into the future and he saw it was grey, and the prospect of getting some order from 3 senior members filled him with dismay. It was therefore with mixed feelings that he took the call from D-Mac who also ruled himself unfit for the night.

A ring around to the Dynamic Duo saw Magic Mike eager to assist with Tracy content to play a support act, so our foursome was complete.

There was concern in the opening gambits that the other team was prepared to play dirty, when LOL showing some form in the warm up was offered the Double Scotch. This lady was not for turning, as she knew that to appear squiffy would seriously undermine the confidence of her fellow teammates.

The same could not be said for the opposition, who approached the social side of the game with some savoir-faire, appearing with the wine tray, the glasses and the bottle of red. This did not translate well in to their on field performance – if they were not “Aarrgh” at the beginning of the game they certainly were at the end!

Yes, Dear Reader, your team has done it again, and for the accountants amongst up minded, I again lay before you a beautiful set of numbers.



You may be wondering how this motley crew did it, considering the inexperience of some of the members, and in all honesty – it wasn’t pretty.

The win on the toss saw us unprepared, and we lay down on the first 3 ends like a pack of Dead Dogs.

Andy Zee did his best by being absent from his post for the first half of the game – the networking, the trip to the bar, the food – all claimed his attention, and considering our early performance, who could blame him? Then something clicked – it could have been the right knee of the Replacement Senior Member (RSM), or maybe the rosy glow of the bottle of red had taken its toll on our worthy opposition. Perhaps their skipper was just jacked off at having to buy his own pints – the camaraderie was all down the other end: but then the turn around with 4 bowls outclassing their best.

This stung them into action, responding with a 3, but as it turned out, this was the high point of their game.


For the out-of-towners, Adelaide had taken a bucketing during the week (OK just the 1 bucket – enough for us all to have a decent wash). This was a mild evening with the green showing some inconsistency in taking the bias.

We bowled long, we bowled short, and we bowled wide, but we always outclassed them - just. They did have their chances though. At the eighth, we were 3 down with a close pack of enemy bowls around kitty. Andy Zee’s first delivery saw him weave a tight line through the defences, but a metre well short. The opposition skipper, sensing an exposed jugular came in from the other side to leave his bowl in contention. AZ’s last delivery was so unexpected that the rest of the team did not realise what had happened: following the line of his first, he cunningly gave it enough biff and at the right angle to cannonball through and cosy up to kitty giving us the end.

We cheered – they didn’t. They were already into hangover territory.

LOL made a late entry into the game from a very ordinary start, and was able to assist her teammates in wiping up the last few ends.

Magic Mike having been given the whisper earlier that it was lawn bowls we were playing, not marbles, wisely chose something more substantial to get his hands around. This together with encouragement from his entourage gave him success on several ends when the going was tough for us.

The RSM led the charge back into the game at the 4th and gave a solid performance all evening.

Magic Mike again proved lucky with the raffle, taking home the street directory, but there was a protest call on the night, with allegations of rigging when 1 table cleared up 4 prizes.

NOTE OF WARNING: Andy Zee has left DDD in an invidious position by withdrawing from the weekend Pro-Am competition and folking off to Port Fairy.

Rumours of an impending alliance with a member of The Bowls Bags, has shocked the Dead Dogs team to the core. We may be a mongrel breed, but there are some unspoken boundaries beyond which a DD will not go!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Dead Dogs Doping Scandal - 18th Feb 2009

A revitalised team, saw the Dead dogs head to the 2nd half of the season and a possible date with destiny. DDD back from his Walk about Tour of Oz, he looked like a new man on the green and showed no sign of the time away, with some early pressure shots to help keep the Dogs around the mark. The starting lineup returned to its famous 4-4-2 structure, and with that a certain air of confidence saw the dog puff its chest and fight for gold. A 4 shot 2nd end hurt the dogs early and with tit for tat bowling all night this 4 shots seamed a lot to overcome. DDD slowly going to sleep with the Grandpa Simpson like commentry from his counterpart skipper, DDD did not see the need to comment on the quality of every bowl, but Abe thought it best to highlight back in his day he use to bowl with an onion on his belt which was the fashion at the time. By the 8th end it had been a tighter affair than the entire english scrum fitting through a fish's date in a vice, and so DDD called on LOL, Davy Mac and Andy Zee to finish the game on a high. LOL threw down some early pressure, and Andy Zee was good when he chose to ignore the ridiculous directions from DDD, but it was Davy Mac with some top draw bowling that saw the dog edge closer to their geriatric foes and the excitable 3rd bowler...... who called for a measure on more occasions than Hugh Hefner at a photo shoot. It was not to be the Dogs night, was it DDD hitting his bowling weight of 1.5 beers at the 2nd end or just that fact the the starting rotation did not have the cohesiveness with players spending time in rehab. So at the final siren, it was the Dogs, 6 to the Ade Simpsons blue rinse brigade 11.

True to bowling form, the Dogs did not get a scrap from the raffle and left with hung heads and heavy hearts.

Best
Honorable mention to Davy Mac for 2 exceptional bowls on the night getting within a cocktail weiner of the kitty on at least 2 occasions, including his last bowl of the night.

Other News saw the dogs infamous leader reported to have an image leaked to the public of him with his mouth on what appeared to be a 'Bong', News of the World broke the story and DDD has already seen several sponsors pull his funding including Adult shop.com and Mo's Jelly wrestling Tavern, reported to be worth a staggering 100M over 5 years.

Score card to follow, as LOL did take a full report of the evening.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Dead Dogs Dilemma - 11 February 2009

This is a team that always goes to extremes, and this Wednesday was no exception with not 2, not 4 but 5 contenders vying to flaunt the colours for the Dead Dogs side.

Andy Zee, still suffering from an ingrown toenail, demurred to the dynamic duo from the north eastern suburbs to take a run alongside LOL and D-Mac. Emerging Businesswoman, Tracy – had an earlier outing with the team, and partner Michael was an eager debutante for the side, having had a previous brief encounter with the game in his youth.

Without the services of an experienced Skipper, (DDD had taken the Walkabout Tour) and no obvious contenders, it was a chance to pass the buck, with D-Mac taking up the number 1 position, ahead of Michael, followed by EB, and the reluctant LOL bringing up the rear. This was certainly going to be a challenging night!

Our opposition was a foursome of experienced players – the Flower Pots whom we had met on previous occasions. The game started well for us, winning the toss on a cool Adelaide night. Heatwave conditions of the previous 2 weeks had abated, and we were all reaching early for the “woollies”. (For those in other climates, this is a garment to keep warm).

D-Mac, with the extra responsibility of placing the kitty was convincing in his early deliveries. In Michael’s hands the number 3 bowl looked like a soft toy that had been left behind from a child’s birthday party, and he was caught between playing too soft or too hard. EB had an established reputation for intimidating the kitty, and tonight was no exception.

Little did the dynamic duo realise that Andy Zee was walking with Kryptonite in his back pocket in an attempt to harness their exceptional powers. They may well have thought he was trying to engage in small talk, or perhaps offer a coaching tip, but in reality his position was to determine the length of their delivery. This was an unorthodox approach to teamwork and met with mixed success!

Linda’s early attempts to emulate some of the trick shots of her predecessors and tiptoe in between the other bowls and come snugly up against kitty paid off. Our team took an early lead, and at the sixth end, the opposition was forced to take a long hard look at themselves. This proved to be our downfall, and we should have adopted a similar approach, but call it inexperience, call it bad luck (or call it a hangover from the previous week) our team could not regroup and fight off a determined challenge, going down 16 – 9.

The proceeds of the raffle on this night were to go to the Victorian bushfire appeal, and over $500 was raised, with Andy Zee scoring the honey, which he was happy to pass on to the dynamic duo, with more mouths to feed in that household.

As a footnote there was a team on the night that established a Hawthorn record of some 47 shots to 2. I struggle to believe it, but if George said so, it must be right. I think that winning team was called “The Bowls Bags” – they may have taken the money on this occasion, but the competition is still open following a round of upsets.

The Dead Dogs are in with a chance!

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

DEAD DOGS DEATH-WALK – 4 February 2009

Injury again had taken its toll of the Dead Dogs plucky team. DDD had been advised to take a complete break in an effort to return to full health, and had taken the waters in WA. Andy Zee was also out of action, thus wiping out the junior elite members of the squad, and so it was with an air of trepidation that LOL fronted up to the Hawthorn Greens.

Another stinker of a day, in this long running heat spell experienced by Adelaide residents, and no sign of gully breezes to ease the anguish of the tattered remnant of the Dead Dogs team. Despair almost overtook the LOL when marching up to rink 11, she found the male duo from “Biased” carelessly sharpening up their bowls, displaying a confident touch in their preliminary warm up. (Boo, Hiss)

Fortuitously, she had earlier fell upon the mercies of George (no small act), and he delivered not one, but a brace of willing recruits to augment the Dead Dogs Lineup. LOL’s warm-up yielded no promise, and D-Mac was blissfully unaware of the building tension when he shimmied up to the rink as last man to throw his hat in.

Under such trying conditions LOL offered the 3rd and 4th place to the incoming recruits, trying to keep some stability in the team, and knowing that D-Mac and LOL were not sufficiently “blooded” to step into the shoes of previous luminary skippers in the DD line-up. Memories of Tickets Parkin, Ace VB, and even Andy Zee crowded her mind, as did the recent return to form of DDD.

Alongside us the leering forms of “Stuffed if I know” loomed large in the wilderness, an acute reminder of defeat and humiliation. There was honour at stake, and if we were going to go down, we would go down fighting!!

It was a revolution, a rout (rhymes with doubt), a rollover, a rollicking – and we won!!
The opposition was well and truly routed – and it felt gooooood!!

I have great delight in tabling for the pleasure of fellow Dead Doggers the score card for the night.

After winning the toss, and losing the first 2 ends, you may have thought if was all over, Red Rover, But Fee
playing at No 3 stared down the oppositions, and took the first point away from them. Surprise turned to alarm from the “Biased” team, when 3 of our number took the 4th end convincingly. Nothing they could throw at us stopped the steady inch forward – we were happy to win by 1’s and 2’s, holding them scoreless for 5 ends in the middle section. With the absence of the hockey mistress to stiffen their resolve, a chasm opened up before the opposition, while we stayed flint-hearted and relentless.

The lead player had an outstanding night with the kitty, placing it exactly where she wanted it – medium to short distance, allowing her fellows to capitalise on the consistent length. Those rare moments when the opposition scored the white ball, and played long, we were there to match them.

LOL had wisely chosen for D-Mac the ecologically sound Green Frog bowls, and this proved the right talisman for him on the night. A previous outing at Rink 11 had seen him unerringly find the Dead Man’s Grave on the western boundary, but no such demons haunted his outing on this occasion, resulting in his most consistent performance to date.

The new recruits to the Dead Dogs team were outstanding, but the significant factor of the night was the lack of form from the opposition. Obviously a week into the college school year had left them severely challenged – mere pussycats to the Dead Dogs Machine.

In defeat, Biased were gracious – either that or totally shattered, at their first loss for the season, however they managed to exchange pleasantries were over pizza. (Reference to AA notwithstanding)

We didn’t jig the raffle, but who cares – we won, we won, we won.

“This is the sweetest victory of them all”.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

With 2 weeks so contrasting the dogs being from the lowest valley to the highest peak, no more words are needed for the first hit out than, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie (25-1) And with a loss so demoralising for the dogs no words came to mind to help illustrate the week that was the darkest day for the dog. So it was to the week of 28/1/09, and the Dogs had another opponent, someone new to test their mental will power, some new team for the dogs to take out their anguish and pain on. With the solid 4 of Andy Zee, LOL, Davey Mac and DDD, the Dogs thought that it was time to return to a familiar friend. DDD decided to take out the grasshoppers, like a long lost friend the reunion was quick and reaffirming of their love for each other, DDD running his hands smoothly over their surface and in response, a warmth radiated from the Grasshoppers. And with a half hour warm up, DDD did not leave anything to chance, choosing to start the game at his bowling weight of 1.5 drinks. This and revitalised Dog outfit proved to be the difference in the game. When DDD was down, Andy Zee stepped up, When LOL was a bit astray, Davey Mac promoted her bowls. As cohesive as beer and a Darwin local, the dogs took to the green, made quick work of the lesser opponent, and headed to the bar. All dogs made the score sheet, and once again almost had their opponent Pants down...... But as a contrast to last week, the Dogs thought 14-2 a fair win in a game that saw them win all but 2 ends.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Dead Dogs Draw - 14/1/09

Season 2009 saw a fit and healthy outfit take the green for the Dead Dogs, Davy Mac back in action after minor surgery was performed over the break to fix his bowlers elbow. Andy Zee and LOL also ready for action, the break a timely one, for both parties. As the team took the green, DDD was keen to take the helm and with the opposition of the last game for 2008 as their 2009 opponent, revenge was there to be extracted by the Dog.

Early on the Dog looked to be bent over taking the full force of the 'Dont touch my Balls' attack. 6-1 down after 5 and the Dogs thought that an early slip in the season could be the difference between glory and alcoholism. Trying to set an example for his team DDD had reportedly chosen to play sober and while most think this a smart move, DDD unable to reach his 1.5 drink, bowling weight, was as close to pointless as a Vegan at a BBQ.

DDD's decision was reported to be for religious reasons, but none the less, the weight of the team shifted to Andy Zee as he sought to steady the ship. More than Half of the scoring bowls for the dog were from the hand of Andy Zee and such and influence would prove vital, as at the other end DDD, drunk on lack of drink (if thats possible) was making terrible directions, was it not for Andy's self confidence, the Dogs might have gone down by too much too early to be able to mount a comeback...... and mount a comeback they did!

On the 2nd last end with 4 bowls to go, the dogs had 1 up but were down by 3 for the night, and looking like falling out of contention once again by tripping on the first hurdle of 2009. But cometh the moment, cometh the man...... it might have been a waft of a coppers pale ale from rink 16 that did it, or just the touch of a red wine glass as DDD went to pick up his non-alcoholic refreshment before the final bowl of the end, but something changed, and the struggling skipper, extracted something from his dismal night to take the end from a +1 to a +4 and put the Dogs into the lead for the first time in the night. The final end saw the Pennant player for 'Dont touch my bowls' lay down 2 very good early markers and the pressure was on from the start. The Dogs unable to get close and the game looked to be over, the night chill enough of a distraction to the Dog for them to finish quick and move inside, but the man of steel, Andy Zee did not think so, and with a salvaging bowl put the only Dog bowl amongst the cluster of opposition scorers to place the dog down by 1. The skippers walked to the top of rink 17, both happy with such a social game but also each equally keen to take the glory by adding 1 scorer to the scatter of bowls. As both skippers had done all night, neither proved to have an influence on the game, so 1 down for the end and a final score of 11-11, the Dead Dogs, salvaged a Draw from what early on looked to be a woeful night.

Best
Andy Zee head and shoulders above his team mates 10 votes
Linda had some really good ends 2 votes
Davy Mac also consistant 1 vote
DDD - utterly useless!!! -10 votes (that will make it hard to take the MVP this season)