This has been another busy spell for Prattens Bowls Club. The Ladies team kicked off with their first match in the Wild League, which they won last year, away to Paulton. Unfortunately the weather lived up to the name of the league as the game was played in cold, wet and windy conditions with some of the Ladies reporting that they were almost blown off their feet!

The start of the game was delayed due to the rain and when it did start, the playing conditions made the game somewhat unpredictable. Prattens won on two of the three rinks (16–15 and 30–6) and lost on one (13–16), giving an overall score of 59–37 in favour of Prattens. This gave Prattens ten points in the league to Paulton's two points – a very good start to the league season.

The Ladies also played on the Thursday, in much better weather, in a friendly match at Keynsham and again Prattens won on two rinks and lost on one, but the overall result was a narrow win for Keynsham, 38–44. This week, the Ladies played in an away friendly fixture at Alexandra Park and won on one rink, 24–16, while losing on two rinks, 11–18 and 13–14, giving an overall draw of 48–48.

On Wednesday, Prattens played what was ostensibly a Men's fixture under the Golden Oldies banner, a home fixture against Paulton. Prattens won on three rinks and lost on one, with an overall winning score of 76–48. There were also two mixed games this weekend, both friendlies. On Saturday, Prattens travelled to play at Winsley. This is the first time that the clubs have played one another for about ten years. For most of the match Prattens led well on one rink and were well behind on two rinks, with the fourth rink being very close, but, in the last four ends, Prattens' fourth rink dropped nine shots and lost by six shots, with Winsley winning on three rinks to one and on the overall score.

On Sunday, the Mixed Team played at home to Broughton Gifford and with both teams having a very pleasant afternoon, Prattens won on two rinks, drew on one and lost on one, winning overall. In the final Mixed Team friendly fixture, before the start of the Mixed Mid-Somerset League, away to Shepton Mallet, Prattens had a very enjoyable game on a lovely evening and won on three of the four rinks, with an overall winning score of 84–59.

The first of the mixed league games will be against Street. Prattens won the South Division of the Mixed Mid-Somerset League last year, while Street were highly placed, so this game may give us a clue to how this mixed campaign will go.

Prattens will be holding the second of our 'Have a Go' sessions on Saturday, 23rd May, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., so come and see if bowls is the sport for you! New bowlers pay no subscription in the first year of membership.

For details, visit: http://www.prattensbowlsclub.co.uk">www.prattensbowlsclub.co.uk or contact: 01761 412705.