Hot Bowls Under Sunny Skies

Published on: 1 Jul, 2019
Updated on: 1 Jul, 2019

Burpham Bowling Club report by Ian Mackrell

In the past week or so we have been asked to be the neutral ground for both national and Surrey competitions. – in fact five national / county games so far. This is both an accolade for Burpham Bowling Club, but also to our Guildford Borough Council green-keepers.

On Tuesday, June 25, we travelled the short way to local rivals Castle Green. It’s a lovely setting and we always enjoy the challenge of their unique green. As it turned out, both teams ended cancelling each other out between the two rinks – even shots, and even points.

Our green is playing really well this season and home advantage certainly paid off on Thursday, June 27. Visitors Camberley suffered a rather heavy defeat in the Knaphill Triples League, Zone 1.

Following the home match, our club night was again well attended, with seasoned players having a full game, while both beginners, and the U3A, were receiving coaching. It was a glorious summer’s evening – at long last. Club members organised a plant sale, raising funds for our proposed building conversion project.

Organisers of the plant sale await custom.

Top club coach and star player Nina Challens can’t resist practicing even with a broken wrist.

British summer arrived in spades on Saturday, June 29. In sweltering temperatures, and ensuring adequate hydration for all players, the home West Surrey League, Division 1, and the Sapphire League got under way.

For a long time it was relatively even, but visitors Weybridge managed to adjust to the hot weather better than the home players, and eventually ran out winners in both leagues.

On Sunday, June 30, club captain Alan Mogg once again welcomed his old club, Auriol, in the return leg of the Auriol Challenge Cup.

For the record, the over reaction of our club captain can be explained by the enormous 51 shot win over his old club.

Merrow Village Bowls Club report by David Raison

For the latest in our midweek matches, on Wednesday, June 26 we travelled to East Horsley for a match of three triples. A hot and sunny afternoon beckoned and, of course, I’d left my hat at home.

A lovely setting for bowls at East Horsley.

Merrow started well, with all rinks winning ends. However, things started to go wrong for your correspondent’s rink as East Horsley started to move ahead, often winning ends that we felt could have been ours. Fortunately, the other two rinks were faring much better, as they fought hard to maintain a lead.

Stopping for tea and cakes at nine ends was a welcome relief from the heat, and we all started the next half with renewed vigour.

John lines up his delivery.

The end result was an overall win for East Horsley, with a score of 60-44. However, Merrow won two of the three rinks, with Lorna, Andy, and Ken being our top rink with a score of 22-13. Well done to both rinks.

We only play East Horsley once a year, so we look forward to welcoming them to Merrow in 2020, when we hope for an improved result.

On what must have been the hottest day of the year so far (32c plus) in Saturday, June 29, Merrow travelled to Dorking for a match of three triples at Pippbrook.

Lorna sends down a Merrow delivery.

Under a blue sky with the sun beating down, the teams embarked on the first of 18 ends. Hats and suncream were the order of the day.

Leslley leads for Merrow.

Merrow were soon battling hard and, on two rinks, moving ahead. Plenty of liquids were being taken on board, as we were playing straight through without a break. Sadly, one rink conceded early, as a Merrow player was unable to continue due to the heat.

The match ended with each side winning a rink, and one drawn. However, the overall score favoured Pippbrook, who won 57-44.

Ken sees in the shot wood.

Merrow’s top rink was Lesley, David R, and John, who won 21-19. Our drawn rink of Judy, Lorna, and Ken, narrowly missed out on a win, with Pippbrook gaining a single on the last end to draw level.

The post-match tea was welcomed by everyone.