Burpham Bowling Club Latest Report

Published on: 25 Jul, 2018
Updated on: 25 Jul, 2018

Burpham Bowling Club report by Ian Mackrell

A recent highlight was our annual trip to play against another south coast club. In recent years we’ve visited Worthing and Eastbourne, and on Wednesday, July 11, some 50 Burpham members travelled by coach to Southbourne, a two hour journey. The match was 11 triples and one fours!

We had chosen a perfect day. Sympathetic temperatures, a light, cooling breeze off the Channel, and a setting the like of which isn’t found in Surrey.

The fantastic clubhouse facilities at Southbourne.

Southbourne had four greens, now down to two – but what greens! A delight to play on. In fact, so much of a delight that we surprised the huge home club (some 200 members), running out comfortable winners by 197 to 182 shots.

The club’s two greens are separated by a listed Victorian building, which affords views of both greens from either side of the building. Now isn’t that a treat?

Burpham captain Alan Mogg (left) reads out the players’ rinks at Southbourne.

Before the match Burpham members took to the sea air, strolled along the promenade, helped the local economy by feasting on wonderful, fresh, seaside cuisine. A couple even ventured into the sea – bracing!

A huge thanks goes to our organiser, Linda Macbeth, aided by her husband Barry, our club president. Of the 25 or so clubs that Southbourne host, on occasions like this, Burpham is the only club able to field so many players – and we were down on recent years, normally having 42 playing members at least.

On Saturday, July 14, we suffered our first loss in the West Surrey League against Windlesham. A wake-up call to any complacency.

The Sapphire league success continued, fortunately, with a handsome win over Windlesham. Well done ladies of Burpham. Keep the flag flying.

Burpham’s special day, Sunday, July 22, in aid of the Frimley Park Stroke Unit, raised £700 in memory of playing member Eunice Williams.

Spectators of all ages enjoying the tournament on July 22.

The weather was a little warm, but the turnout of both players and spectators, and the organisational skills of club president, Barry Macbeth and his wife Linda, turned the President v Captain’s Day into a heart-wrenching success.

Lovely al fresco dining after successful day.

The players, and spectators, enjoyed a magnificent al fresco meal afterwards in the shade of several marquees. More thann 50 prizes were donated for the raffle that helped secure such a wonderful contribution to the day’s chosen charitable cause.

The previous day, Saturday July 21, we entertained Knaphill in the West Surrey and Sapphire leagues. Normal business was resumed, as we won handsomely in both.

Burpham continue to top the West Surrey League league and look almost invincible on current form. With two matches still to play, that position is unlikely to be in danger.

During the week, our teams had success in both the Guildford, Woking & District league – a walk over as Albury were unable to field even a six-man team. And in the Knaphill Triples league, where we won 46-28 shots over West End “A.”

Knaphill also suffered defeat yet again in a friendly played on Wednesday July 18 on their green, Burpham running out winners by 79 shots to 55.

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