With the Chinese Year of the Rat now upon us, it seems a fitting namesake for this year. Its personality is outgoing, cheerful and sociable in character, bold and positive when facing hardships. A little like our own group of friendly RATS (Ulladulla Runners and Triathletes)!

Even at 6.30am on Sunday, it was a hot and sticky morning that welcomed more than 20 of these RATS to the car park behind Duke's Café in Milton. After a quick photograph, 15 runners and eight walkers split into varying groups and headed out towards Wilfords Lane and Windward Way, creating a trail of RATS' red as far as the eye could see.

With fewer tourists in the area, we are missing visiting runners joining us for our Sunday runs so were especially pleased to welcome Kath from the Central Coast on Sunday.

Arriving at Slaughterhouse Road, a decision as to whether to turn right or left had to be made; right was longer with left the shorter route to the highway. Injuries, heat or determination to run longer distances helped the RATS decide.

Those who turned right followed Slaughterhouse Road before turning left into Tetley and through Springfield before joining the Princes Highway and the route back. With temperatures and humidity increasing rapidly, distances were cut short by some and the sanctuary of Duke's Café was an early proposition.

However, many of the runners and walkers are keen to build up their distances so battled through, impressing those of us who returned early!

Three kilometres from home, a rescue mission had to be put in place to save an injured kookaburra. Carried by Margy until it could be placed safely in a dark box, it was well looked after before being handed over to WIRES for their expert care (www.wires.org.au).

Coffee and iced drinks (and lots of water!) were enjoyed at Duke's Café following the stickiest morning for a long time; discussions were varied and entertaining with some even suggesting future trips to Europe!

With safety a priority, the RATS have been missing their bush runs so are hoping that this new route can be planned in for more future low tide Sundays.

Next Sunday's run: February 2nd - meet at Macca's car park, Ulladulla at 6.30am for mixed distances and routes to be decided.

Tuesday: 6am, meet at Narrawallee Inlet carpark, for flat interval training. Suitable for beginners and serious athletes, distances from 1.7km.

Wednesday: 6am, meet at Macca's car park, up to 10km.

Friday: 6am, meet at Mollymook Surf Club car park, up to 10km.

Saturday: 8am, Batemans Bay or Huskisson parkrun, 5km, is always on option.

The Ulladulla RATS welcome guests, visitors and potential new members to join them, for any of their runs or rides. All standards catered for. If you choose to continue individual members contribute $15 per year or $20 per family. You are not obliged to run, walk, or ride the full distance and can turn back at any stage. For further information: ring or text Laurie on 0438 445 573. For more information:

Search Ulladulla RATS on Facebook, or visit the RATS web page at: http://ulladullarats.com On STRAVA search Ulladulla RATS (Runners).

Beachside Veterans

Beachside Veteran's 2020 golf competition commenced on Wednesday, January 22, with a great roll-up of 50 golfers who played a Single Stableford Event. Winning the day was Stig Anderson with a score of 24 points in a countback from second placed John Payne. Third place went to Roy Bender with 23 points. Balls were given out for scores down to 18 points on a count back, with Wildcards going to Terry Barrett and Ray Werner.

Nearest the Pins were awarded to Brian Morrison on the 2nd, David Anderson on the 6th and David Blunden on the 9th. This week, January 29, will be a Single Stableford. Players were pleased to welcome two new members; Leonard Astill and Chris Lovell.

Roadrunners

Only 17 Roadrunners celebrated Australia Day with a game of bowls last Sunday morning which was a bit disappointing. Three games of triples were played with the following results: Cathy Wisniewski, Judy Henderson and Bob Brooks 20 outlasted Wendy and Mike Lynn and Geoff Watson 19. Val Brady, Robin Oke and Paul Barnes 33 accounted for Nola West-Newman, Eric King and Michael Dundas 16. Graham Corby and Gordon Lang 25 defeated Wayne Manning and David White 15 with Gary Wisniewski playing a swinging lead.

The $300 jackpot failed to go off and will be contested again next month. The winning rink was the team of Gary Wisniewski, Graham Corby and Gordon Lang who received a fresh chicken each and the losing rink of Nola West-Newman, Eric King and Michael Dundas received half their green fees back.

Raffle winners included David White, Sue Dent, Nola West-Newman, Val Brady, Robin Oke and Judy Henderson.

Next Sunday we will be back to normal bowls with the cards being called for an 9.00 start.

Milton Ulladulla Women

Tuesday, January 21

In President Robyn's absence Liz is doing a wonderful job on the mic keeping everybody up to date on upcoming events - Club Major Singles commence this week 28th January - District Open & Senior Fours list is on the board, nominations close 6th February, playing dates 3-4-5 & 6th March - Club Minor Singles is also on the board, nominations close 4th February with play commencing 18th February - Women's Club quarterly meeting is scheduled for the 13th February. Busy time of the year.

Entry form are now available at reception for our 45th Annual Winter Carnival, there is no hurry to get entries in but it may be a good time to think about teams and availability. Numbers were down last year, so it would be great to see them grow this year.

Rink Winners: Doreen Dickson, Barbara Young and Bev Lapinski. Rink Runners Up: Belinda Smithers, Cheryl Davies and Gerri Miller. Raffle Winners: Bev Lapinski, Billy Doyle and Cheryl Davies

Thursday, January 23

Lets play bowls in 40 degree heat. Great idea, NOT. Eighteen dedicated ladies took on the heat today, the heat won. After 10 ends we pulled the pin and strolled back into the club house to air-conditioned comfort. Hopefully the conditions improve for our Club Major Singles. Good Luck to all participants.

Rink Winners: Belinda Barca, Glenyce Pendlebury and Sandra Crimmins. Rink Runners Up: Sue Jamieson, Daphne Menzies and Carol Monte. Raffle Winners: Cheryl Davies x2 and Glenyce Pendlebury.

Mollymook Men

Hope all had a happy Australia Day. One can't help thinking of Dorothea Mackellar's poem "My Country" on this day. The quarter-final of the Major Singles was played in ideal weather last Saturday. Dave Henry's unofficial odds have tightened with a 31/9 win over John Sherrif, likewise Mark Sommerville's chances with a 31/20 win over Mike Keegan. Front runners in your scribe's humble opinion (but what would he know?) are Ron Wall who had a 31/21 win over a very tenacious John Wilton. John went from 11 to 21 over the last seven ends making Wallie sweat to get the winning two shots. The other "likely" could have been Dave Harrison playing against Nick King who eventually "outlasted" Harro to take the match 31/28. Semi-final this Saturday will be very interesting.

SOCIAL: Forty-six bowlers contested the Wednesday club selected Two Bowl Triples, played on both greens. Alan Montifiore as lead gave Mike Keegan & skip Tony Hutchins a good start against Dave White, Col Milligan & Graham Corby to win 30/15 & be lucky enough to win the $20 lucky winning rink vouchers. Terribly unlucky losers were a fours game & free schooner vouchers went to Hardly Hansome, Scoop, Dugga & Pop Wynter who played against his brother Alan just back on the green following his accident. He played well! Friday Open Pairs: With the jackpot on offer at $1040 there were 40 teams hoping for the best. As it turned out Trish Moy (skip) & Eric Woodburn with +3 vs Sid Brand & Ivan Traves were in contention but the computer thought otherwise. They did however win the $120 prize for the five random ends with 14 points, an 8 on the power play end helped. The KENO voucher winners were Hutch & Flinny. NOTE If the jackpot does not go off this Friday it will distributed to 10 winning teams. Be there!

Milton Bridge Club

Tuesday Jan. 21st. NORTH/SOUTH Ist:- Graham Yule and Faye Thomson. 2nd:- May Powell and Maureen Harrison. 3rd:- Kay Dieter and Frank Dieter. EAST/WEST Ist:- Alison Betts and Iris Crooks. 2nd:- Mike Spicar and Rita Lizak. 3rd:- Jean Hart and Milena Spicar.

Thursday Jan. 23rd: ONE FIELD Ist:- John Hodge and Mike Spicar. 2nd:- Ron Webster and Elaine Caswell. 3rd:- Milena Spicar and Peggy Ayres.

Mollymook Bridge Club

Club results: For full results & hand records see website www.mollymook.bridge-club.org.

Monday 20th 1st Ross Milbourne & Richard Brightling, 2nd Kevin Douglas & Graham Evans, 3rd Ron Turnell & Kevin Tant

Wednesday 22nd N/S 1st Lauri Perino & Kevin Tant, 2nd David & Stephanie Badger, 3rd Helene Downs & Liz Baker, E/W 1st Ray Parris & Katie Emms, 2nd Ken Harrison & Ross Milbourne, 3rd Peter Culham & Henk Emans

Thursday 23rd 1st Jacky Dobson & Kevin Douglas, 2nd Jim Thomas & Chris Downs, 3rd Jeff Lassman & Bill Hall

Friday 24th 1st Richard Brightling & Karen Creet, 2nd Elainne Haley & Leone Moffat, 3rd Graham Evans & Kevin Douglas

Saturday 25th 1st Maureen & Ken Harrison, 2nd Lauren & Paul Ehrlich, 3rd Pam Date & Elainne Haley

Afternoon session times are 1.15 for a 1.30pm start on Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday, evening sessions times are 6.45pm for a 7pm start on Monday and Thursday nights.

Milton Ulladulla Bowling Club: Ladies winner: Val Moore. Runner up: Bronwynne Kidson. Men's winner: Ross Kidson. Lucky door prize: Robyn Gaskin. Unluckiest player: Elvin Foley