The morning forecast was for blanket rain by 5pm, but, despite some very black clouds, a few spots and the freshening wind, we finished our match in the dry. If we had not been having such a good time, though, we might have been looking for ‘rain stopped play!’

  For on two rinks we lost heavily. David, Bella and Hetty, with Pat on at half time for Hetty, lost 24-3 to Nick, Chris and Jim.

  Ann/Norman, Marian and Doreen lost 22-3 to Margaret, Peter and George.

  We played a lot of good woods, but they (Sturdee’s bowlers) kept putting in better efforts. It was really good bowling by Sturdee.

   The other two rinks were much closer and, in fact, the match patterns were similar.

  After just 5 ends, Peter B, Chris and Hans were 9-1 down to Bill, Keith and Frank; however, after 14 ends, we were only 2 down. 2 shots to Sturdee in the 15th end saw them leading 16-12, so Hans tried a make or break final shot in the match; it was a decent effort, but it did not quite come off - so that the final score was a defeat by a score of 18-12; however, the opposition knew they had been in a fight.

  Trudy/Bill, Terry and Ian were 6-1 down, after 4 ends, but they fought back to trail 8-5. Three disastrous ends saw us lose 10 shots, but from 18-5 we came back to 19-12 at the finish.

So those are the statistics – we lost 4-0. But we played decent bowls and were complimented on our play, by the team at Sturdee. With the majority of our side still very much novice bowlers (in terms of experience) it was high praise. And above all, they were impressed that we are such a happy club, and they said how much they had enjoyed the day, Absolutely right, laughter on every rink, a lovely atmosphere, exactly as bowls should be.

Our thanks for the generous welcome, from Sturdee, and for the tea and biscuits, as dark clouds threatened. Our first fixture with them, but what a lovely group of people and we enthusiastically accept their offer to return, next year.

  See these and more pictures