When we were due to play Bexley in June, at Jackson’s Field, the heavens opened up and we had to cancel. This time the morning’s clouds moved away and we played in near perfect conditions. And we had a near perfect day. The green has a delightful setting in Danson Park and with fifteen/sixteen rinks is by far the largest we have come across. We used just five, but it meant that everyone available to play in our two clubs was able to take the green.

  Trudy Penny and Hans ran into the powerful trio of Josie, Saba and Cliff (ex England international) There were some lovely ends and shots played, but mainly the shot went to Bexley and they ran out 18-6 winners. Marian, Bella and Doreen were in touch with Arthur, Monica and Alf, just 12-9 down after twelve ends, but four shots to Bexley in the penultimate end helped to seal the match for them 18-11. Again, a good performance. Alf has won the Gravesham trophy more than once.

  Rink ten saw a real tussle with Peter, Norman and Chris trailing 9-4 at half way. Nine unanswered shots for RBBG over the next six ends saw them move into a 13-9 lead. Christine, Stan and Frank tried desperately hard to pull it back but could manage only three shots in the last two ends to leave RBBG winners by 13-12. Again, Gravesham contests were renewed between Christine and Chris, who had so much fun in that tournament, but this time it was Chris who got the upper hand.

  RBBG rink honours for the day went to John, Terry and David who had a fantastic duel with John, Joan and Betty. RBBG were down in this match, too. 9-3 after seven and 9-4 at halfway, they levelled at 9-9 all in end ten. RBBG took the lead in the eleventh, Bexley levelled again in end twelve. Then Bexley took three to lead only for RBBG to come back with three and lead 14-13 after fourteen. In the fifteenth RBBG took another two shots, but even within that head it was nip and tuck. RBBG held shot, as the skips played their woods but first David took shot, then Betty moved the jack to hold shot herself, before David took shot back, then made it two with his final wood. Bexley could only pull one back in the final end to leave RBBG winners by 16-14. A great battle.

  Anne, nearing 93, stepped up for her very first match of the season, with Bill, a stripling of 90, but amazingly they were trumped by Bill who is still playing, and playing well at 100! And a regular ballroom dancer to boot! As we had a couple of absentees our side was made up by a very nice man from Bexley, Ron, who faced Alex and Richard as Bill’s partners. It was 2-2 after four ends but then Bexley had a purple patch, scored twenty points in four ends and we went in to tea losing 22-2. Anne then retired, with Brian taking her place. Bexley shaded the second half too, winning 31-6, but we still had great fun on the rink

  Marjory and her team put on a most welcome tea after eight ends and we really appreciated it, thank you. Captain John hoped that we would be playing each every year now that we have fixture under way, and we left tired but happy. Perhaps not as tired as the five markers who worked so hard all afternoon. Our thanks to them and all at Bexley.