We rounded off the season’s internal competitions with a successful weekend of finals on 4-5th Sept. The weather played it’s part with no rain over the weekend and it even hit a scorching 27c on Sunday.

The weekend saw some mighty fine matches and it’s perhaps unfair to single one out but I have it on good authority the Women’s Championship surpassed expectations with high quality bowling and drama to match. Five times winner, Eileen, eventually saw off young upstart Karen who’s progressed well this season since winning the Junior Championship a couple of years ago. She may have wilted a little by the end of the weekend but to her credit, and helped by the cooler weather on Saturday, Karen lasted the course having bowled 151 ends over 7 matches by close of play on Sunday.

Richard blitzed his way through all the rounds and continued his form in the final to claim the Junior Championship – past champions have always done well and he’s one to watch next season. More established players Cassie, Alex and our Club President Tom picked up a trophy. John, who joined the same time as Karen and I, continues to pick up the odd trophy each time. It was also good to see some new names will be added to the trophies. Jim has returned to bowling after a break of a few years and picked up the Men’s Handicap after eventually getting over the finish line against a stubborn Brian. It would have been cruel if Liam had lost all his three finals and he was especially delighted to win the Presidents Plate. In her first year of bowling Tracy picked up the Women’s Pairs title, no doubt the first of many to come. Thanks to Yvonne for stepping into some big shoes as a late substitute for injured Ann. One last word for someone who left the weekend empty handed having lost all three finals, sorry Dennis! .. I’m sure you’ll come back stronger next season looking for your 4th Mens Championship title!

Apart from the unfortunate Pat who broke her ankle just as the competitions started, we had very few walkovers this year so thanks to everyone for the effort to play during some trying situations – weather, health, etc.. Lots of folk stepped into marking matches in the early rounds and on the day – I won’t mention names but let’s just say the competitions wouldn’t function without you!

Thanks to all the helpers over the weekend who stepped in at various times – sorting out equipment and the green, marking matches, finding missing trophies, etc. and to Nikki for keeping us refreshed. Lastly, thanks to all the supporters and spectators – it wouldn’t have been the same without you!

With the nights drawing in, the remaining Tuesday evening roll-ups will continue throughout September with a start time of 5pm.

Our internal competitions came to a fitting conclusion over the weekend with some absorbing games for competitors and supporters to enjoy .. and no rain! A full report with results will follow.

Last week we failed to make it 3 consecutive team wins with a challenging time at Staines – the green was a lot quicker than most of us have seen outside before!

Tues 7th 5pm – Club Night roll-up

Thurs 9th 2:30pm – Teddington v Sunbury

Here is the schedule of matches for the Finals weekend 4-5th Sept.

Due to some folk playing numerous matches we need to make an early start on both days. After that the timings may end up changing slightly as we go, so please bear with us. Thankfully, the weather forecast looks to have improved over the week but we’ll have one eye on it, as always.

Please get in touch with any issues and enjoy the weekend, spectators are very welcome at any time with some refreshments available.

Funday Sunday went well with even a spider on the green! This was followed up with a couple of rounds of triples of 5 ends and finished off with a very welcome afternoon tea, hosted by our captain Di.

We followed up a good win against Cambridge Park during the week with another success in a friendly against Ember on Saturday. Next up is Staines on Wednesday afternoon .. fingers crossed we can make it three wins on the trot!

In the final week of our internal competitions more semi-finals have been arranged ..

Mon 30th 4pm – Junior Championship .. Liam v Richard

Mon 30th 4:30pm – Open Handicap .. Karen v Nikki

Mon 30th 4:30pm – Open Handicap .. Dennis v AlanP

Tues 31st 10am – Men’s 2-wood singles .. Tom v Liam

Tues 31st 2pm – Women’s Singles .. Nikki v Eileen

Tues 31st 3pm – Men’s Pairs .. Liam & Richard v Bob & Charlie

The Monday Evening and Friday Triples leagues have finished but we still continue with roll-ups on Tuesdays – please be punctual so that the games finish before sunset!

Tues 1st 6pm – Club Night Roll-up

Wed 2nd 2:30pm – Staines v Sunbury

 

 

Sunbury enjoyed a surprising win against Cambridge Park in the South Middlesex league this week. Up against some very strong players including internationals, Sunbury won on 3 rinks and points overall for a 8-2 win. It’s perhaps unfair to single out any one player as all played well but let’s just say someone summoned up the energy to play twice. Having endured a marathon 26 ends in a Men’s Handicap game in the morning he then played another 18 ends in the afternoon team match. A super effort from our oldest playing member .. hat’s off to Charlie!

We’re moving into the last week before Finals Weekend on 4-5th Sept – there’s been some great performances this week and probably more to come with semi-finals in full flow. Congratulations to Karen who has reached the final of all four Women’s events and more .. she’s made the Competitions Secretary’s job of scheduling the Finals weekend a nightmare! The website is up to date with all results – Mens 2021 – Womens 2021 – Junior Championship 2021 – Open Handicap 2021

The week ahead ..

Sat 28th 2:30pm – Sunbury v Esher

Sun 29th 2pm – Funday (or afternoon!) of bowls

Mon 30th 4pm – Richard v Liam in Junior Championship semi-final

Mon 30th 4:30pm – Dennis v AlanP in Open Handicap semi-final

Mon 30th 4:30pm – Nikki v Karen in Open Handicap semi-final

Tues 31st 10am – Tom v Liam in Men’s 2-woods semi-final

Tues 31st 3pm – Liam & Richard v Bob & Charlie in Men’s Pairs semi-final

Wed 1st 2:30pm – Staines v Sunbury in South Middlesex league

Sat 4th all day – Finals tba

Sun 5th all day – Finals tba

The greenkeepers have been busy, as always, this time straightening the edges ..

 

Four semi-finals were played on Tuesday afternoon – the website is up to date with all results and below are the dates of a few more.

It was a glorious day for bowls and we were surprised afterwards with afternoon tea courtesy of Nikki celebrating her birthday .. it’s just unfortunate that Richard didn’t get the memo before they played! The greenkeepers did a great job of cutting the grass between the matches ending and the club night starting.

Thur 26th 2:30pm – Eileen v Nikki in Women’s Handicap

Fri 27th 11am – Karen v Bindley in Women’s Championship

Fri 27th 4pm – Nikki & Bindley v Tracy & Eileen in Women’s Pairs

   

If anyone has lost a jacket .. you can find it in the chalet.

 

 

Please come and join us for a fun afternoon of bowls on Sunday 29th from 2pm. This is being organised by our captain Di with an emphasis on new and improving bowlers to get together with a few more experienced bowlers.

We are in the last two weeks before the annual Finals weekend on 4-5th September. Sunday’s President Cup certainly served up some very good semi-finals and a few folk have expressed interest in watching others. Some semis have already been played but below are dates of a few more. Please do drop me a line about any others.

Tuesday 24th 2pm

• Women’s Handicap – Tracy v Karen
• Men’s Handicap – Brian v Tom
• Men’s Pairs – AlanP & John v Barry & Alex

The Presidents Cup went ahead on Sunday at the 3rd time of trying with a reduced number of entries but rain-free! Click here for more details .. Presidents Cup 2021

We enjoyed a damp time at the Bluewood Cup on Saturday, apparently the first time in its history.

After constant drizzle during the morning sessions the organisers decided to put down mats to protect the green, a novelty for many of us. All three teams were in contention at the half way stage but Hampton pulled away during the afternoon as the weather improved and eventually won on 27pts. Sunbury finished on 16pts, almost snatching 2nd place from hosts and previous winners Fordbridge Park on 17pts.

Despite the rain we all enjoyed the hospitality and bowls, Congratulations to our Women’s Pair of Ann & Karen as Sunbury’s top performers with 3 wins out of 4 and a big thanks to our captain Di for sorting out our participation and organising the team.

    

     

    

     

It’s two weeks until finals weekend for our internal competitions and all appears to be on track. There are 7 quarter-finals left to be played and then some semis. Please do let me know of any issues etc.
Barring any further rain we have one more set of games to play in the Monday Evening league.
This weekend we are competing in the annual Bluewood Shield at Fordbridge Park. It’s a series of matches involving Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Pairs as well as two Triples. On Sunday we are going for the third attempt of the Presidents Cup – the action starts 10am.

Sat 21st 10am – Bluewood Shield at Fordbridge Park

Sun 22nd 10am – Presidents Cup

Mon 23rd 6pm – Monday Evening league

Tues 24th 6pm – Club-night Roll-up

Wed 25th 2:30pm – Sunbury v Cambridge Park

Sat 28th 2:30pm – Sunbury v Esher

Since writing this update the match with Teddington has been cancelled 😥

 

The weather is set fair and we have a busy weekend of bowls with team matches on both Saturday and Sunday.
The internal competitions continue apace with various games scheduled for every day next week. Congratulations to Ann & Karen who are the first to qualify for the Finals – in the Women’s Pairs. If anyone needs me to help book rinks or help with anything please do get in touch .. Sunbury Bowls is pretty much my second home now!

Fri 13th 11am – Friday Triples .. it must be the last week as it just can’t rain again!

Sat 14th 2:30pm – Teddington v Sunbury

Sun 15th 10:30am – Di, Karen, AlanP & Eileen play at Staines in the John Gardner trophy

Sun 15th 2:30pm – Sunbury v Ashford

Mon 16th 6pm – Monday Evening league

Tues 17th 6pm – Club-night Roll-up

Wed 18th 2:30pm – Hayes v Sunbury .. CANCELLED!