Cervantes Bowls Awards
Following the final qualifying games of the Central West Coast Bowling League’s 2016-17 pennant season the Cervantes Bowling Club conducted its Men’s pennant season windup and trophy presentations. Club Captain Peter Holmes introduced 3 new pennant season awards in 2016 to add interest and incentive to skippers and team members throughout the season. These new award categories included Best Rookie Bowler; Best Skipper; and Best Pennant Bowler.
In recognition of past service to the Club, as a bowler; skipper; committee member; and past President, the Best Pennant Bowler award was named after club stalwart Arthur Della and a medal struck in his honour.
Best Rookie Bowler 2016-17 was won by Adam McKay, who in just his second season showed he has the talent to become a very good bowler. Adam started the season well and despite family and work commitments denying him the opportunity to practice he improved steadily over the year. His consistent performances were reflected in finishing second in the Arthur Della Medal.
Best Skipper 2016-17 was won by Frank Zuccala with 8 wins and a draw. Mick Lund finished second on 6 wins and a draw. Frank is a former Club Singles Champion and one of the most consistent bowlers and successful skippers in the league. Mid-season player availability problems impacted on Frank’s results, however he finished the season on a positive note. This season was Mick Lund’s first as skipper, but he had plenty of early season success. No doubt he’ll be looking to build on that next season.
The 2016-17 Arthur Della Medal was a very close contest between Brian Hancock who finished on 110 points, Adam McKay on 111 and George “Stringer” Davis who played well throughout the season to poll 113. In accepting the inaugural Arthur Della Medal Stringer paid tribute to his mate Arthur who introduced him to bowling and taught him the game. Fair to say that over the years Stringer and Arthur have shared many conversations and twice as many beers. With Arthur experiencing serious health issues, it was a very fitting albeit poignant win for Stringer.
Main Photo: Adam McKay, Stringer Davis and Frank Zuccala
There could not have been a more popular winner than Stringer, who is rarely without an infectious grin and a cheeky greeting. He lives by the adage that regardless of the situation, “it’s probably not worth worrying about it”. He bowls with the same careless abandon, but clearly it is successful. His bowling technique won’t be found in any coaching manual and attempts to emulate it should be discouraged, but for him it works. Most bowlers will follow the trajectory of their bowl until it rests. Stringer is already back in his seat and into his next conversation before his bowl arrives at the head. In his view watching the bowl, talking to it or screaming at it, makes no difference to the end result.
Stringer is a great club man, an engaging character, generous and charming. Rarely can a lady walk into the Club without being warmly greeted with that infectious grin and “hello darling, how may I be of assistance to you?”. While rumour has it that Stringer survives on a diet of beer and Viagra, it is regular exercise, including daily sessions with the dumbbells, an outdoors lifestyle and good eating habits that keep him in shape. Well that and the influence of his partner Annie. I may not have mentioned it yet, but Stringer turned 86 in January.
Annie and Stringer Davis with Arthur Della
Rob Shanhun
Secretary –
Cervantes Bowling Club
