SOLDIERS Point Bowling Club’s history-making lawn bowlers took a trip down memory lane at a 20-year reunion to celebrate their famous State No. 1 Men’s Pennants triumph.
Despite the atrocious weather, several members of the club’s championship-winning squad were on deck to mark the anniversary.
Among the group of local lawn bowling legends, were current Soldiers Point Bowling Club secretary-manager Simon Lack and former Bowls Co-ordinator Jason Stokes, who is now the Chief Executive Officer of the highly successful Raymond Terrace Bowling Club.
Stokes was one of five NSW representatives in the Soldiers Point team along with the talented Lack, Bob Dunn, Neville Downes and Jason Pietrasek.
They helped form a mighty combination during a golden Soldiers Point lawn bowls era.
In a gripping final staged at The Entrance Bowling Club greens in 2005, Soldiers Point prevailed 57-51 against Central Coast kings Bateau Bay to claim its one and only State No. 1 Pennants trophy.
As well as being crowned State Champions, the team won six successive Newcastle District No. 1 Pennant titles from 2003-2008 and finished State No. 1 runners-up in 2007.
Club stalwart Les Ritchie, a key member of the championship-winning squad, told News Of The Area that the reunion proved a “nostalgic experience” for the bunch of great mates.
“The get-together rekindled so many golden memories on the greens and solidified the life-long friendships that were formed during those halcyon years.”
By Chris KARAS
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