Latest Bowls Reports

Published on: 14 Jul, 2018
Updated on: 14 Jul, 2018

Merrow Village Bowls Club report by David Raison

Earlier in the year we were forced to cancel a couple of home matches because of the torrential rain. On Saturday, June 30, we hosted a rescheduled match with the Pippbrook club from Dorking.

Centering the jack: Merrow verses Pippbrook.

A shortage of Pippbrook players resulted in a match of three triples, played in scorching heat with only a little shade available.

The match fluctuated with each side taking and relinquishing the lead. Eventually, Merrow managed to win on two of the three rinks, and winning overall by just two points with 44-42.

Our best rink turned out to be that of the captain, your correspondent. Well done to Tony (who stepped in at the very last minute), John, and David R, who won by nine points in a low-scoring game.

Rodney provided everyone with a very welcome tea at half time, which was taken in the shade of a convenient gazebo.

Sunday, July 1, saw Merrow travel to Ripley for a match of three triples. The day was hot and overcast, making for very sticky conditions. Fortunately, there was a ready supply of cool drinks by the green to keep us hydrated.

The match was very hard fought, with an outstanding win of 22-8 for Merrow’s Lesley, Len, and John. Well done to them. Sadly, we could not emulate that performance on the other two rinks, and Merrow lost by the slimmest of margins; 44-45.

Because of the heat, we had played the 18 ends without a break, so the tea provided by Ripley was most welcome.

On Wednesday, July 11, Merrow played host to Holloway Hill for a friendly of four triples.

Debbie makes a fine delivery.

The weather, while warm and sunny, was a little cooler than of late, which was most welcome.

As the match developed, Holloway Hill were in the ascendancy, with only your correspondent’s rink ahead for Merrow. But, as you know, we Merrow bowlers never give up and recovery was on the cards.

At the culmination of the match, Holloway Hill came out on top 57-60. However, Merrow won on two rinks and drew on a third, so we can be pleased with our performance, particularly as we had some inexperienced bowlers playing.

We stopped for some very welcome tea and cake at half time, provided by David Foster.

Merrow’s best rink, winning by two points, were Lorna, Debbie, and Ken. Good performances by Bernard, Julian, and Robin are also to be conmended. Well done to all our bowlers.

Burpham Bowling Club report by Ian Mackrell

We are all suffering from this heat. Once again, during the past week, the opposition has not been able to get enough players for matches.

For Burpham, this is both a loss of opportunity for our large membership to play matches, but also a loss of revenue. Over 50% of our friendly matches this season have had reduced rinks owing entirely to our opponents not having sufficient players on the day.

Ladies captain Maureen Thomas shows how to win matches with a perfect delivery on Tuesday, July 3.

We hosted Woodbridge Hill on July 3 in the Tuesday G,W & District League and unfortunately lost, after a close run game.

The following day we travelled to Windlesham for a five triples match, but they could only get four triples together. Our 63-55 shot victory was well deserved in the circumstances.

Next day, our Knaphill Triples A team suffered a loss to Knaphill B by 30-37 shots. Was the heat getting to us, or affecting our play?

Owing to the excellent, and surprising progress of England, football took precedence on Saturday, and we cancelled that match by agreement.

On Sunday July 8, in brilliant sunshine and testing hot conditions, we hosted West End to what should have been a five triples match. They only had four triples! Home advantage counted and we ran out easy 71-55 shot winners.