ROCHESTER BLIND BOWLING GROUP

  Our match with Borstal looked in doubt at the weekend, but the rain came early and the green was fit for use. And, apart from a short shower two or three ends into the match, the conditions were very pleasant and we enjoyed a superb afternoon.

  RBBG rink honours went to Lynne, Hetty and Hans. Lying 12-3 up, after nine ends, things were looking set for a good win, but they were not reckoning on the strong fight put up by Bill, Di and Kevin, who gradually edged their way back into the match, so that after 13 ends, they reclaimed the lead to be two shots ahead.

  Two more good ends, though, saw RBBG back in front with an advantage of 4 points. Thanks to fine bowling, by both Lynne and Hetty, they looked clear favourites, but a bad wick by Hans gave the end away and Kevin’s last wood came in to give the home side three points. Fortunately for our team, this was not quite enough, as the visitors took the match 17-16.

  Bill, Penny and Brian thought they were a winning team, too! One down on the first end they were leading by 8-4, at the halfway stage, and although pegged back to 8-8 after eleven ends, they again took the lead at 14-8, with just two ends to play.

  Brian’s last wood sat on the jack, for shot in the penultimate end, only for Val to make the right contact, with the right weight, and propel the jack to her teammates’ back woods, for two shots – a proper skip’s shot.

  So, it was 14-10 to RBBG, going into the final end. Still a good bet to win? Our team ran out of steam on the final end, with most of our woods well short, whilst Jill and Roger helped Val to take a massive six shots and victory, by 16-14. Masterly timing – the first time they had led since the first end and just when you want the lead!

  On rink 3, Trudy, Bella and Ann found it hard going, against Ron, Dave and Edwina. Prior exertions on Sunday, for Ann, and Monday, for Bella and Trudy, had taken a toll and, by the halfway stage, they were 18-1 down. Chris arrived for Trudy and we held our own in the banter stakes as a result, but ,on the bowls front, the second half followed the pattern of the first, 37-3 being the final score.

  The day before also left its mark on Ian, in rink four, and on top of his knee problem he pulled a muscle, so that Albert took over to join Marian and Pat. They gave a good account of themselves, 9-9 after nine ends, but Pat, Peter and Rose took hold of the match, to win 18-11, in what was a good contest.

  So (mostly!) tight matches, reflecting real progress for RBBG, over the year, and, most importantly, lots of enjoyment, as well. Plus the extra excitement of the banter exchanges on rink 3, launched from one end at the other, so enjoyed by neighbouring rinks! Then friendly conversation over a splendid tea, to complete a wonderful afternoon - with a final flourish as, after at least holding our own in the winning of raffle prizes, Val donated the raffle proceeds to us, on behalf of their club. Thank you, Borstal, for a great day.