Salisbury Bowling Club

As the 2022 year draws to a close, and the end of the 2022 bowling season becomes a distant memory, it gives a chance to reflect on what a great season we had.

Wiltshire Four Rink League

Following the Covid pandemic, 2022 saw the first year of the new premier league for the men’s four rink county league. The premier league consists of 10 teams and a total of 18 games are played with each team being played twice (once home and once away).

I have had the pleasure in captaining the four rink league team and my thanks goes out to my selection committee – James Vincent, Bob Armstrong, Graham House and Jamie Reynolds (ex officio) for their invaluable input throughout the season.

Overall, Salisbury had a tremendous year in the league finishing tied 3rd with Spencer Moulton out of the 10 teams with a total of 156 points (second place on 196 points and the winner on 205 points). We had some terrific wins during the season exceeding 100 shots in our home match against Marlborough (103-47).

We had a number of games called off during the season with all bar two being rearranged in the correct time frame. The results of the two outstanding matches (home to Royal Wootton Bassett and home to Purton) were therefore decided by the league committee upon presentation of my arguments for a certain result given the circumstances surrounding the original cancellations. We were awarded a 10-4 win against Royal Wootton Bassett and a 13-1 win against Purton.

During the season one of the major decisions taken by the selection committee was to try and keep teams together as often as possible. This allows players to get to know each other’s playing styles and build up a team spirit across the green. Looking ahead to 2023 it will be even more important to build on this success with personnel changes expected across the team with leaving and returning members on the cards.

National Competitions – Club Double Rink

Unfortunately, this was a short-lived affair with a home draw against Pewsey Vale early in the season. Both rinks ended up losing by a single shot each 15-16 and 12-13. A disappointing start to the season, but plenty to build on for 2023.

Looking ahead to 2023 we will be entering two teams into the Double Rink competition. As a selection committee we find ourselves in the fortunate position of having an abundance of members wanting to play in this competition. We have tried this approach in previous years and ended up having to give away one of the team’s matches due to lack of player availability. However, we are encouraged on availability and the development opportunities this will provide to the club, especially with 16 players being required for the county four rink league but only 8 being able to play in the top tier double rink competition.

National Competitions – Top Club

Our first round match was away to local rivals Amesbury. On a tricky green early in the season this could be a very real banana skin match. The two wood singles was first to finish, as expected, and despite a good run of ends early doors the Amesbury player proved too strong and recorded a 15-8 victory.

Next to finish, slightly earlier than expected, was the triples team recording an 18-4 in 13 ends. This levelled the points one apiece. The pairs was next to finish with a decisive 18-15 victory dropping a 3 on the final end in the name of damage limitation. This saw Salisbury take a 2-1 lead with the fours and four wood singles left to finish.

Both remaining matches were incredibly close with the fours leading 16-15 into the last end and the singles trailing 16-18. With the singles dropping a one to trail by 3, the fours luckily collected a 1 and took the match 17-15 resulting in an overall 3-2 victory.

Next up was another away trip, this time to Spencer Moulton on what can only be described as a dirt patch. With some changes in personnel in different disciplines the match started well with the two wood singles recording a convincing win. The pairs was next to finish narrowly losing with the four wood singles also losing. This left the triples and fours still in play.

A decision by the skip in the triples to drive halfway through the game saw all the Salisbury bowls disappear from the head and a 7 dropped. This proved too much in the end with the triples losing by 3 shots with the fours leading by 1 shot with 2 ends to play. A disappointing 2-3 loss overall on points, but plenty to build on for 2023.

Wiltshire Men’s County Competitions – Tourist Trophy

For the third consecutive season Salisbury reached the county final of this competition (double rink) which is a great achievement in itself. This season we saw a repeat of the 2021 final facing Royal Wootton Bassett.

Unfortunately, a repeat of 2021 was on the cards with a strong Bassett contingent out in force. One rink losing 18-23 and the other conceding at 12-26, it was a resounding victory for the Bassett boys.

It is no mean feat for the same team to reach three consecutive finals in as many years, however having won it in 2019 and losing 2021 and 2022, it would be good to see the trophy return to the club in 2023.

Wiltshire Mixed County Competitions – Double Rink

Salisbury once again entered the mixed county double rink featuring 8 men and 8 ladies – the only real opportunity for the men and ladies to play together competitively outside of national competitions.

Salisbury had a great run in the competition collecting a number of victories against tough opposition. Unfortunately, the run came to an end in the semi final against a tough Royal Wootton Bassett side with the away team losing 10-23 and the home team losing 10-18.

Wiltshire Men’s Competitions – Unbadged Singles

This was a really pleasing competition to witness this year with the eventual final being contested by two Salisbury players – Fraser Boynton and Jamie Reynolds.

In their run to the final both players went all the way to the wire in their respective semi finals. Fraser played Keith Williamson from Westlecot and at 18-15 up and holding a single the match looked to be in control, however some great bowls from Keith saw a number of consecutive singles scored and Fraser found himself trailing 18-20. A fantastic final end from Fraser saw him collect three shots and claim the 21-20 victory.

In Jamie’s semi final against James Bryant from Stratton Churchway a closely fought match went bowl-for-bowl for most of the match. Jamie found himself 16-20 down through a combination of good bowls from James. After picking up a single, Jamie proceeded to change the length and after a fantastic display of draw bowling found him collecting three shots and taking the match into a one end shoot out. Jamie collected the shot and match 21-20.

The final proved no different with there never being more than two shots in the match for most of the game. At 20 ends Fraser held a 14-13 lead and a great end saw him collect a three and take a 17-13 lead. Back-to-back doubles and a single for Jamie saw him regain the lead at 18-17. After another three close ends (taking the match to an extraordinary 27 ends) saw Fraser collect two singles and a double to take the match 21-18 (a reversal of his 18-21 defeat in the 2017 final at the hands of another now-Salisbury player Ashley Plumb).

Men’s National Competitions – Individuals

Salisbury’s only contender at the National Finals at Leamington was Tom Warner in the two wood singles. Having lost the county final to Dave Godwin from Royal Wootton Bassett 15-12 Tom was looking for a good run at Leamington.

Tom reached the national quarter final playing Leo May from Hampshire. At 13-14 down on the last end Tom found himself holding one with four foot to draw a second shot for the match. Unfortunately he was slightly short and an extra end was played with Leo taking the end and the match.

Overall a brilliant season for the Salisbury Men and something to build on for 2023.

Tom Warner
Captain – Four Rink and Nationals
Salisbury BC

Over the last few days, the Finals of our various competitions have been played out in good weather and in a great spirit.

Most of the Finals were played on Saturday 17th September, but permission was given to stage the Men’s Championship Final a week earlier.

The Results (in order of play):

Saturday 10th September

Men’s Singles Championship

Tom Warner won against Fraser Boynton 21-14

Saturday 17th September

Ladies Singles Championship

June Clouston won against Anne Selby 21-13

Men’s Handicap Singles

Brian Pike won against Graham House 21-5

Mixed Triples

Rose Pattenden, Jim White and Alan Biles won against Gill Cartwright, Mike Lincoln and Graham Annetts 15-11

Men’s Pairs

Martin Hall and Bob Armstrong won against Ed McConnell and Steve Gregory 24-20

Ladies Two-wood

Valerie Botting won against Rose Pattenden 14-11

Ladies Special Singles

Christine Mansfield won against Jane Neill 22-8

Men’s Veterans Singles

Steve Gregory won against Jim White 22-5

Men’s Two-wood

James Vincent won against Paul Mortimer 16-7

Sunday 18th September

Men’s Special Singles

Toby Fiddy won against Ed McConnell 21-14

Mixed Pairs

Lorna van Zyl and Toby Fiddy won against Di Wort and Ed McConnell 16-14

In addition to our club competitions on Sunday 18th September, we also hosted two finals of the Salisbury & District BA knockouts. Results were:

S&DBA Pairs

Vince Kimber and Michael Mundy (Pewsey Vale BC) won against Paul Mortimer and Bob Armstrong (Salisbury BC) by 21-9

S&DBA Triples

Mark Spanswick, Vince Kimber and Michael Mundy (Pewsey Vale BC) won against Paul Mortimer, Brian Pike and Bob Armstrong (Salisbury BC) by 19-17.

John Hurle
Secretary Men’s Bowls Committee

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.