Mixed Outcomes On The Bowling Greens

Published on: 24 Jun, 2019
Updated on: 24 Jun, 2019

Merrow Village Bowls Club report by David Raison

On Saturday, June 22, Merrow bowlers made the journey to Ottershaw for our annual fixture. It promised to be a hot and sunny afternoon, and we weren’t disappointed.

Reg watches his bowl arrive.

We played three rinks of triples, with a break for tea at the halfway mark, nine ends.

Ottershaw bowling.

Ottershaw fielded a team of very experienced bowlers, in contrast to our team where most have less than five years’ experience.

Experience shone through as Ottershaw started to rack up the points, leading to an overall win of 64-28.

A welcome break for tea.

A big “well done” to Ken, Debbie and Lorna who came very close, losing by just four points.

Time to reflect.

As a side, we did our best against very strong opposition and acquitted ourselves well, despite the score.

We only play Ottershaw once a year, so our next meeting will be at Merrow in 2020.

Burpham Bowling Club report by Ian Mackrell

Well, yes, the weather has turned warmer, at long last, and dry too – but the rain impacted two matches this past week.

We were all ready to travel to Ewhurst on Tuesday, June 18, in the Guildford, Woking & District League, when their captain Roger Newman called to say, with rain forecast, their ground might get waterlogged, so the match couldn’t take place!

Shortly before, Castle Green called to say they had to cancel their four triples friendly match against us – not because of rain, although it did pour on Wednesday, June 19 – but because they just didn’t have enough players. The match was cancelled.

This is not the first time, by any means, that clubs we have fixtures against, have either insufficient players, or just cancel if due to travel to Guildford. We will certainly take a serious look at our proposed fixture list for next season. A very large club like Burpham need matches to enable members to play regularly.

On Thursday, June 20 we all donned our wet gear, but the rain held off. It was Burpham’s turn to host Windlesham in the Knaphill Triples League, Zone 1.

This was a seriously close encounter, with Burpham’s 86-year-old Rod Stewart showing everyone why he used to play for Hampshire, in securing a one shot win with the very last wood of the match. Well done Rod!

After the match our club evening got under way. It was a joy to see so many players both having a serious match, and beginners getting coaching, including several from the Guildford U3A.

New member John Kershaw at Burpham’s club night on June 20.

Yes, the sun shone, intermittently, on Saturday, June 22 when we hosted Horsell in a four triples game. The match was scheduled as a five triples one, but once again our visitors couldn’t raise enough players. Their captain, John Bishop, had the courtesy of apologising, which was much appreciated.

The match got under way, but was interrupted for an hour, as one of the Horsell players collapsed on the green. An ambulance quickly arrived and she received attention before being transported to the Royal Surrey County Hospital.

Ruth Milsom in action on June 22 at Burpham against Horsell before the match was interrupted.

Not unnaturally, the match became just a few ends, with no-one’s heart really in it. A lovely tea was served afterwards, and the bar steward seemed highly pleased too.