Category: Match Reports

AMESBURY 6 SALISBURY 4
Shots: AMESBURY 68 SALISBURY 65

On a journey from Salisbury’s high street to Amesbury’s green you pass close by ten old “Spitfire” locations. At these sites parts were secretly built to assemble over 2,000 of the iconic aircraft in WWII. A life size replica of the plane is raised proudly next to the road just down from the large fortification of Old Sarum. In 1086 all of England’s most powerful men came to the castle swearing oaths to protect William the Conqueror, years later Spitfires that the area supplied the R.A.F would help repel someone else who sought to be a conqueror.

With visibility gradually clearing both clubs lined up in formation on 4 rinks, engaged and revved up to strike that decisive early advantage. Chocks away!

Jan, Amr and Ed found themselves five behind in Amesbury’s slipstream but once our triple took off however, they never looked back. Keeping their nose in front towards the end, they came home worthy 19-15 victors.

Me, Helen and Anthony scrambled to an early lead but our foe was always on our wing, only one behind us by end 12. Latterly we seemed to lose our bearings and we went into a bit of a tail spin, so try as might it got away from us 10-19.

Ann, Ron and John got off to a flyer and climbed quickly getting a six and a five, which always helps. Having propelled themselves into a comfortable position they taxied home to a commanding 21-10 victory.

Heather (thanks for stepping in at the last minute), Pauline and Mick were in a right duel at 11-11 with six ends to play. Our hosts then seem to have found more fuel in the tank for the finish and they landed a 15-24 win. Hard luck guys.

We congratulate Ali and her team on their success and for their warm hospitality. Ok we lost, but only by three, so a good knock and as always it was the team’s result. This season we have fought hard in every game and I am so proud of you all.

The past five years have “flown” by, but the time has come for this to be my final quirky report. I would like to pay tribute to everyone who has supported our team since I became captain, the unseen heroes and heroines that are the glue that make it all work. Volunteers who step forward to manicure the green, maintain the buildings and organise the communications (including the website and fixtures). Not forgetting those who helped with the bar, raffle, kitchen, cleaning and even the human scarecrows, my deepest thanks to you all. Lastly to the amazing multitude of bowlers who have given their all for us, culminating in reaching our zenith by winning the league and becoming this year’s Westbrook Champions.

It has been an honour and privilege.

Malc.

Results from today’s events at Chippenham:

Over 60’s Triples Semi-Final
Brian Pike, Steve Gregory, Bob Armstrong lost to M Clark & Co (Chippenham Town) 4-20

Unbadged Singles Quarter-Finals
Fraser Boynton beat D Lewis (Marlborough) 21-10
Jamie Reynolds beat A Young (Holt) 21-14

Unbadged Singles Semi-Finals
Fraser Boynton beat K Williamson (Westlecot) 21-20
Jamie Reynolds beat J Bryant (Stratton Churchway) 21-20

So Fraser and Jamie will play each other in the Final next weekend.

Brian

SALISBURY 7 MERE 1
Shots: SALISBURY 61 MERE 42

This was a month that inspired classic songs like, “It might as well rain until September” (Carole King), “September” (Earth, Wind and Fire) and “Wake me up when September ends” (Green Day). Unfortunately on today’s date some of the world’s most tragic historical events either happened or started. Keeping this upbeat, we will concentrate on an item that occurred on today’s date in 1972.This was when the world saw Bobby Fischer beat Boris Spassky to become world chess champion in Iceland. There is no truth to the rumour however that this happened across a table between the baked beans aisle and freezer section. In fact this ended 53 days of competition, so perhaps had they played beside the bakery counter it might have ended in a stalemate!

Now stalemate is never an outcome you expect in a match with Mere, though all skips would gladly accept a “bowl one get one free” gift if it was offered. So let’s scan the green and check-out what happened (no beeps, it’s a family club).

Romney, Lorna and Roy got a basket full on end 5, however Mere can never be discounted and they led halfway. This prompted a tremendous response from our triple who gained a trolley load of ends (8 of the last 9) striding clear 26-15.

Ann, Antony and John were in a battle royal with little margin for error, so it was no surprise to see this end in a hard fought draw 16-16. Both teams were so focused that Antony lined up a perfectly calculated line and length for John to follow only for John to say, “I haven’t any bowls left”. Antony was clearly demonstrating the intense commitment that both sides had shown on rink but also that bowls can be fun too and everyone had a good laugh.

Derek, Ed and Helen struggled a little up to halfway but soon things started to click and they certainly collected, taking seven of the last nine. Our triple stacked up the score to comfortably bag a 19- 11 victory (this was also Derek and Helen’s first time in the Westbrook and it was a successful one, well done).

Congratulations to all our team for again digging in and getting a great win into the bargain, we have shown such dogged character all season, cheers guys and gals. John and team Mere should also be praised for their part in this good humoured and high quality game this afternoon. On another day they might have got a lot more out of the match, so we hope they are rewarded in their final games.

As far as the league is concerned, this was just the ticket and we should now be in an unassailable position and we still have one match to go! It is lucky that at S.B.C. we do not need a barcode or club card to relax with a drink, because we definitely deserve one.

We have done it, thank you so much everyone.

Malc.

P.S In 1752, Sept 3rd to 13th never actually happened, believe it or not, it’s true!

SALISBURY 4 SIXPENNY HANDLEY 4
Shots: SALISBURY 52 SIXPENNY HANDLEY 37

Sit-back, close your eyes and picture being at the beach. Calm blue waters ripple where our green used to be, the benches have turned into candy striped deckchairs and the concrete floor, sand for our toes to nestle in. A Punch and Judy booth stands where the storage shed was with cries of “that’s the way to do it” filling the air. On the picture wall, families put their heads through a hole where Mr Bowly’s face used to be for a funny photo. A top the rockery a mystic green-keeper gazes deeply into a crystal bowl and by placing a fiver in his palm he will reveal the secrets of playing rink 3.
Eyes open and there is not one ounce more moisture on the green than before (shame). No time for dreaming and as we were to see that neither side were aiming to throw in the towel or “lilo” in the heat tonight.

Rink 5: Jackie, Mike and Ray found the current flowing only one way by half time but surf that goes out also come back in and from 1-11 down were soon level pegging. The last six ends were a nervy dodgems contest with the Sixpenny triple getting in first and despite a further come back by our team we went down 15-17.

Rink 4: Heather, Mick and Geoff played out a helter-skelter of a game with plenty of turnovers. Wrestling back the lead to be one up with one to play we had thrown ourselves a life jacket. 6d however pushed the boat out and came in with a heart breaking four, taking the rink 10-13.

Rink 2: Roger, Pauline and Jim were never going to be worried about any flip flops as they secured 15 of the 18 ends. Only losing three ends is a clear sign they managed our home green much the better and “that’s the way to do it” Sun-tan lotion an absolute must when you have a scorching 27-7 victory.

Our appreciation goes to Ron and team Sixpenny Handley for an evening of very competitive bowling as well as excellent company.

Whether you won or were a gallant second tonight it is always a TEAM result and my thanks go to you all. It gets tough as the season counts down but it is four vital points in the bag and it all helps us get one step closer. Perhaps we should have asked our crystal gazing groundsman for a sneak peek at the end of season table!

Malc.

ALDERBURY 2 SALISBURY 6
Shots: ALDERBURY 37 SALISBURY 62

On this day many moons ago, Christopher Columbus set sail to find a new route to places like India and China. Instead he bumped into what we now know as the Bahamas, how’s that for good luck. Our expedition tonight was only a few miles away so life boats were never on the cards and the chance of bumping into anything like an Iceberg would be a lettuce in the local high street allotment. Three rinks would sort out the bragging rights tonight.

Romney, Sandra and John were holding the nap hand on several ends until Skip Mike came in with a knock out bowl to “whist” the score away for the home team. Despite this our triple nearly came up trumps by taking the last three, going down fighting 12-13, hard luck guys.

Jan, Amr and Ken did the early spade work with a stunning 7 and in the second half literally had a prile of threes followed by a 123. This saw them holding all the aces, going on to flush out a very impressive 29-8 victory.

Ann, Paul and Anthony lost the first six on the bounce to be 0-9 down but then started to bridge the gap. Such was their change in fortunes that they held a lead of four after end 16 then got a knock back by dropping that four on the 17th. Some cracking bowling saw them finish with a five bowl (card) trick on the last, winning 21-16. They deservedly were good value for their pontoon score of 21.

Thanks to Mike and his team for a warm welcome and for their hospitality. I would like to say we played our cards close to our chest to win this but the score line does not reflect how tight this game was at times. We wish Alderbury and their clutch of new bowlers the very best for their closing matches to the season.

This result keeps us well ahead at the top and each fantastic performance means the chances of a joker coming out of the pack recede each time.

A piece of trivia: Did you know a pack of cards has Two “One eyed” Jacks and One “suicide” King and all the Queens are holding flowers? …….Misspent youth I guess!

Thank you team for yet another thrilling game played with plenty of Heart, a little spade work, two good clubs and players that shone like diamonds.

Malc

Semi-final (aggregate score)

SALISBURY GOLD 30
AMESBURY “B” 40

Our home rink: Ann, Ray and John’s result 17-12 win

Our away rink: Gill, Amr and Geoff’s result 13-28 loss

On this hot afternoon Salisbury Gold can be proud they gave it their best and there is always next year.

Congratulations go to Amesbury and we wish them well in the final.

Thanks to everyone who bowled for us in both the Gold and Blue teams.

Malc

SALISBURY 8 WILTON 0
Shots: SALISBURY 57 WILTON 38

As mentioned in the earlier away report both Wilton and Salisbury are celebrating 100 not out this year. The term “playing on a sticky wicket” took on a whole new meaning with the sunny conditions and extra cover would have been a welcome bonus.

Barbara, Amr and Ken gave a first class performance and slogged away to a 16-3 lead halfway which they were never going to let slip, moving on to an impressive knock of 23-13.

Romney, Sylvia and Anthony struggled to follow through in the first nine but pitched in well with a declaration of intent, gaining ground in the second half. They finished in style with a hat-trick of ends 16/17 and 18 to edge it by 17-14.

Jan, Ron and Geoff got ahead at end 3 and were never going to let themselves be caught, eventually sweeping through for a 17-11 win.

The match had the occasional four, a wide or two, some blockers, a few L.B.W.s (Luck By Wick) and some special Yorkers that somehow found their way through to the Jack. We enjoyed a friendly competitive game of bowls and we thank Pat and her team from Wilton for their part. Having won the toss we were never going to allow ourselves get onto the back foot for long and finished strongly. Congratulations to Sylvia, Ron and Jan winning on their first games of the season.

A great deal of respect team, for a job very well done, cheers everyone.

Malc

MERE 1 SALISBURY 7
Shots: MERE 46 SALISBURY 55

The 625 mile Monarchs Way goes right through Mere celebrating King Charles II’s journey of escape from the Battle of Worcester in 1651 always just evading the pursuing parliamentary troops. In point of fact he dined at The George Inn which is in Mere’s Square. There are 4 ancient “Bowls Barrows” on Long hill but as far as we know none of them hold the remains of anyone called Drake, Taylor or Henselite.

During his restoration King Charles was presented with what was said to be the first home grown pineapple in England, we all hoped the “Merry Monarch’s” ghost wouldn’t cause a home-grown one of our own in today’s match.

Romney, Ann and Anthony seemed to have a “spaniel” in the works and were quickly 8 down but that seemed to spark a fantastic recovery. End by end they started playing some majestic bowls to such an extent they drew away to be 21-14 victors.

Like the king, June, Amr and Ken were in a match of many close shaves and absolutely no hiding place. A very tense game with no-one prepared to be cavalier and spoil their chances, the 16-16 draw was fair to both sides.

At five shots down Gill, Roy and John needed many a “Round” head to go their way and by sheer persistence not only got themselves back in it but crowned that fight back with a 18-16 win.

Thanks to Karen and her team for their hospitality and their part in what was an awesome game. We may have won 7-1 but in truth this match was way closer than the result suggests.

King Charles’ passions earned him the nickname of Old Rowley, reasons for which I will not elaborate on in this piece. His favourite track, Newmarket racecourse, splits into two final straights one of which is called the Rowley Mile and I would like to think that this year we will stay the course too.

King Charles famously brought back Christmas after kill joy Oliver Cromwell’s Puritans banned it for 13 years and what a present the team gave us today. Every member of our team can be immensely proud of how they didn’t buckle, but dug deep and came strong at the finish, I certainly was.

Thanks guys and gals.

Malc.

DOWNTON 6 SALISBURY 4
Shots: DOWNTON 68 SALISBURY 57

On a wet start to the afternoon it is tempting to pop into the Downton Brewery prior to getting to the bowls club. Three of their popular tipples seemed destined to offer encouragement for the home team, “Downton Dream”, “Endeavour” and tripping the “Light Fantastic” perhaps they knew something we didn’t. Fortunately alcohol isn’t a requirement to get the agreeable blend of skills that were on show here today. The league has been fermenting nicely and everything is to play for.

On Rink 1: Jackie, Mick and Geoff came up against really stiff opposition and after two 6s against them they really tried to tap into that good flow we all look for. Trying hard winning the final five ends helped but the deficit was too much eventually going down 15-25.

On Rink 2: Jane, Roger P ( in his first game ) and Roy faced a strong triple too. Unfortunately the match ebbed away from them and by the time of last orders found themselves 9-21 behind.

On Rink 3: Romney, Pauline and Ken were pouring up a nice head each end and were 10-4 up when injuries forced a retirement from either side. On came the Captains, Steve for Downton and Myself for us as replacements to finish the last 10 ends. A full bodied tussle ensued but we kept up the early stout performance to run out 19-14 victors.

On Rink 4: Roger N, Lorna and Jim were mashing together end after end, many of them close enough that a “C.A.M.R.A” might be needed, though a measure sufficed. Our triple went on to an excellent 14-8 success and a cracking round of bowls.

Well done to Steve and his team from Downton for a cracking display of bowling and for their hospitality. Steve also gave us a few “hand-picked” jokes at tea, perhaps if he had put them in a keg it would have been a barrel of laughs (you had to be there).

es we lost but it was a fun afternoon and the rain clouds stayed away for the match to be played. This was an I.P.A. day (an improved performance away) so it is on to another away game at Mere later in the week.

Thanks to all the team, everyone gave their best and four points keeps us bubbling away in contention.

Malc.

Quarter-final (aggregate score)

SALISBURY BLUE 33
AMESBURY “B” 42

Our home rink: June, Howard and Roy’s result 13-25
Our away rink: Pauline, Mick and Jim’s result 20-17

A great result for our away rink but try as they might we just came up short at home. Congratulations go to Amesbury on their win and progress into the semi-final.

Malc