I think I have finally lost the plot! Knowing I was off on tour on Monday last, I dutifully did my bit for The Journal and sent it off on Sunday evening; but it would seem that I sent it to myself! Just proves that old age doesn’t come alone.
So, to recap on the last couple of weeks. Our lads have had an excellent start to the season and this continued when they played two friendlies, against Shepton Mallet and Stothert and Pitt and won both games.
Unfortunately, our Ladies’ game against Alexandra Park was cancelled, so the Norwest girls spent a very pleasurable afternoon playing against each other. Hopefully the practice will pay off.
And so, on to last week and our annual tour, which saw us heading off to Shanklin on the Isle of Wight, where we were greeted with beautiful blue skies, sunshine and a very warm welcome from the three clubs where we played. Our first game was at Bembridge, where the green was challenging, to say the least, and maybe it accounts for the real thumping we received when we lost by 71 shots! After the game, we were presented with a lovely plaque and treated to some brilliant entertainment, when the Bembridge bowlers serenaded us, which went a little way to ease our battered feelings.
Our second game, at Camp Hill, saw an improvement in both the green and the result and after a very pleasant afternoon, we managed to win by eighteen shots. Unfortunately, our fortunes turned again when, for the last game, we played at Shanklin and once again we were the losers, but this time by only five shots. Our thanks go to Ken and Anne Wilkinson for organising the tour and congratulations to Moira Mallison and Bett Stephens, who carried off the trophy for this year’s Tour Quiz, which, judging by the comments was somewhat tricky.
Back home and on Saturday, the first game in the Men’s County League East saw our A and B teams face up to each other for a hotly-contested game in which the A team claimed victory by twenty shots! This was sweet revenge for the A team, who were still smarting after the B team beat them in a game last year.
On Sunday, we welcomed the bowlers from Winscombe to our green for a friendly. We started off in sunshine, but had to take an early break for tea when the heavens opened. We did, however, manage to complete the game and came out victors, with an 82–56 scoreline. It was a great afternoon and thanks go to Shirley, Lin and Merv for a super tea, to Brian our barman and Paul, who, once again, organised us and kept us all in check.
Now, I know some bowlers from other clubs read my bit, so this is for them. We are still short of teams entering our Ladies Tournament. It is on Wednesday, 5th July and it is usually a super day out. Not only do you get to meet up with friends from lots of local clubs and enjoy some great bowling, but you also get coffee and biscuits mid-morning, lunch and then in the afternoon, tea and cake. So come on girls, what are you waiting for? Give Mary a ring on: 01761 416974 and book your team in. You never know, you might even take home the prize money.
NH