The weather did not seem to know what it wanted to do in the morning, but Captain Bob and the good people of Birchington organised a dry and sunny afternoon for our match. Very blustery, though; so, when Pat and Doreen caught sight of each other, crouching to bowl - but battling to stay balanced, they both collapsed in laughter, and that was the pattern for the day.

  On Trudy’s rink, the wind came from a different direction, but equally powerfully. Let’s just say that it is a common bowling hazard, something to do with the stance, and usually politely ignored, but this time both hers and the neighbouring rink fell about and gales, literally, gales of laughter ensued. Seaside postcard humour it might have been, but no less funny for that, and it all contributed to a fun day.

  There was good bowling, too. Marian, Terry and Hans won, (following on from their exciting draw in our last match, at Marden), only taking the lead in end fourteen by a single shot. It was a keenly fought battle with Taff, Daphne and Bill, which finished some time after the other matches, with a further single shot on the last end, keeping them ahead at 14-11.

  But Captain Bob made special mention in his address of Lynne, Albert and Pat who beat off a very strong combination of Pat, Charlie and Dave. RBBG were indebted to a strong start, leading 5-0, after four ends but their opponents were not about to knuckle under. Leading only 9-8 after twelve ends RBBG rebuilt their position to lead by three going into the final end, but Birchington were holding three for the tie when skip Pat came in for third shot and seal a 12-11 victory. Just 23 shots over 16 ends, a really tight game.

  Pat’s final wood was what you want to see from a skip. Rink four saw nothing of that order from Brian. Try as Doreen and Bella did, with Bill replacing Brian in the second half, the Birchington team was always in control, as Ted, Tony and Bob all contributed to an emphatic 17-4 win.

  Back on Trudy’s rink, Den, Ewart and Ashley were 11-2 up, at the half way stage, and six shots in end ten took them 18-2 in front. Over the last six ends RBBG, with Trudy, Penny and Chris, rallied to hold the overall margin to 21-7, although, like every other rink on the day, whether we won or lost, we had a great time.

  Thanks go to Captain Bob and the great bunch of people who turned out to play. Thanks, also, to Hilary and Shirley, for providing our arrival and mid-match refreshments, and to Kevin for manning the bar, throughout, and particularly post match celebrations. Thank you, too, Vicky for setting the match up and we accept, with huge pleasure, your invitation to return, on 6 June, next year.