The second half of the Friday Morning League commenced this week and there were some surprising results. There was a resounding win for Nikki’s team against Alison’s team giving them their first win of the season; Karen’s team enjoyed a single shot win over Alan’s unbeaten team; Diane’s team kept in the hunt towards the top of the table with a narrow 3-shot win against Eileen’s team. This leaves the table a little more bunched, especially with Karen’s and Nikki’s team having a game in hand on the others.

10 pts – Alan; 8 pts – Diane; 6 pts – Alison; 4 pts – Eileen, Karen; 2 pts – Nikki

The club competitions continue in full flow. Everyone has now played at least once in the biggest draw – the Junior Championship. All the other draws are doing well and thanks are due again to everyone for such a great appetite to get games played. Tarun has setup a WhatsApp group for members that’s proving it’s worth in asking for markers for games, so please ask him or me if you’d like to be added. One slight negative this week is with a plea to avoid arranging games that impacts grass cutting at Crackerjack time .. Friday 5pm! This is the one set time for cutting as it lends itself for the greenkeepers’ ritual of visiting the bar afterwards.

Tomorrow (Sunday 9th) we welcome Bishop Duppas to Sunbury as we resume our campaign in the SML. Stanwell recorded their first win of the season against Bishop Duppas during the week so here’s hoping we can add to their woes .. I’m sure they’ll be thinking the opposite and that they can’t lose to the two bottom-placed teams in a week!

Lastly, good luck to Anita, flying the flag for Sunbury, competing in the quarter-finals of the Middlesex Unbadged Singles.

News on Cricket Club activities ..

At Saturday’s President Cup we had a potential new member, identifying as a duck!  He, or she, stuck around for quite a while admiring the play before waddling off. The third of our day-long club competitions had it’s fair share of exciting matches, especially the quarter-finals and it was subsequently decided that the semi-finals would be contested on a future date .. Dennis v Eileen and Alan v Tracy. Thanks to all the helpers for organising the rinks, refreshments, etc. and particularly the markers who did a grand job with the more complex 4-3-2-1 scoring and fast-moving scoreboards! Full details .. Presidents Cup 2023

We move onto the last of the season’s day-long competitions with the Presidents Plate on 12th August. This is played in triples, so a format that everyone is well-used to, and teams being drawn on the day. Entries will be taken up to the week before.

In their Middlesex Women’s Pairs quarter-final on Sunday, Karen & Eileen came off second-best to last year’s beaten finalists at Bush Hill Park. Nevertheless a good time was had by all. One match I failed to mention is in the Middlesex Mixed Pairs .. Anita & Bob had an exhausting win against a Staines pair and join Karen and I in the next round.

Happy bowling to everyone this week .. the unprecedented bowls-friendly weather looks set to continue .. except for Tuesday!

In our club competitions this week the Morris’s were determined to maximise their time on the green, ably assisted by their opponents. Dennis & Simon racked up 29 ends in the Open Handicap, with Nikki & Tarun going one better with 30 ends in the Junior Championship. That’s a new record, in recent times anyway! Thanks again for all the games being played, some quite a way ahead of deadline date. All results have been entered so if there’s any missing please do get in touch.

Unfortunately we haven’t had a great week in the Middlesex county competitions. Karen lost in the Unbadged Women’s Singles, going down 21-19 at Staines, leaving Anita as our sole representative in the county quarter-finals. In the Women’s Triples, both our teams (Alison/Cassie/Pat and Eileen/Karen/Nikki) lost to tough opposition. In the Mixed Pairs one of our two teams were destined to win as they were drawn against each other! Karen & Alan got the better of Tracy & Barry and play an Ashford pair next month. Lastly, good luck to Eileen & Karen who play at Bush Hill Park on Sunday in their Women’s Pairs quarter-final (and semi?!).

There were some close games in this week’s Club Night with one decided by a single shot. With 8 sessions played there are a handful of players within a few points of each other at the top of the rankings .. there’s a long way to go before anyone can get their hands on the trophy for best man and best woman though! Club Night continues on Tues 4th at 6pm (please checkin at 5:45pm or let someone know if running late).

The Friday Morning League has reached the half way point with all teams having played every other team once, apart from one outstanding game that’s deferred to the end.  So today, Friday 30th, there were wins for Alan’s and Eileen’s teams.

10 pts – Alan; 6 pts – Alison, Diane; 4 pts – Eileen; 0 pts – Karen, Nikki

I was asked recently about the placement of the mat so I thought I’d share this handy guide. Remember you can place the mat anywhere up to the first 25m mark, something you could try to change it up a bit. Outdoor Rink dimensions

On a balmy Saturday afternoon we enjoyed a rare win over Ashford in the SML. We may have faced a team missing some of their county players due to other commitments but a win is a win. We actually won on one of the three rinks played for an overall 6-4 result. We complete the first half of the season with a home match against Bishop Duppas in two weeks’ time.

In our club competitions, the results have been flying in with folk arranging their matches around holidays, etc.. Gary & Simon and Michelle & Jenny take the honours for most green time with both their matches taking an exhausting 27 ends, especially in the recent heat! Nikki & Pat went toe to toe in the Women’s Championship with the closest possible score of 21-20. Thanks to all for getting matches played in good time. The third of our day-long competitions is coming up on Saturday 1st July .. the grandly-named Presidents Cup. Although it’s a singles competition the scoring is a little different with the four nearest bowls all scoring regardless of which bowl is shot. Please let me know if your name is missing from the list of entrants or if you’d like to enter, or you can no longer make it.

Alan; Alex; Alison; Andrea; Anita; Bindley, BobH; BobL; Charlie; Chris; Colin; Dennis; Eileen; Jenny; John; Keith; Liam; Nikki; Peter Saul; Richard; Simon; Tarun; Tracy

In Middlesex county matches I faced my third consecutive Ashford player in the 6th round of the Unbadged Men’s Singles. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be and I lost 21-20 and by a little over an inch on the last end!  There is better news with Anita in her Unbadged Women’s Singles .. up against Tracy’s victor at Bishop Duppas she won 21-18 to qualify for the county quarters and semi-finals in July. Karen plays at Staines next week with a chance of keeping Anita company.

The latest round of the Friday Morning League saw wins for team’s captained by Alan, Diane and Eileen. Here is the league table after 4 (of 10) rounds.

8 pts – Alan

6 pts – Alison; Diane

2pts – Eileen, Karen

0pts – Nikki

One item I’ve failed to mention this season is the NW Surrey Thursday League. This is something that Eileen (and David) have entered and organised down the years and is played in the traditional format of rinks (fours). Anyway they’ve been doing rather well and have notched up 3 wins in their first 4 matches. Well done to Brian, Lynda, Nikki & Dennis as the mainstay of the team, ably helped by David and Eileen amongst others.

It was a happy Father’s Day for our Treasurer Barry on Sunday. He qualified for Finals weekend with a consummate performance in the latest of our day-long club competitions squeezing past current Men’s champion Bob in his semi-final. The other semi-final saw reigning champion Anita beat Liam. Both matches were close affairs and decided on their final ends, and made for a tense watch by the gallery. Thanks to all the helpers on the day and everyone for enabling a prompt start .. we dodged the rain yet again! Full results .. Mixed/Open 2023

 

The previous day saw us host Fordbridge Park in the South Middlesex League. A tough match was anticipated and so it proved, although we enjoyed good wins on two rinks. Unfortunately the other two rinks suffered heavier defeats to give Fordbridge Park the bonus points and an overall 6-4 result. Next up is Ashford on Saturday 24th.

Friday 16th saw round 3 of the Friday Morning League. Wins for Alison’s team (against Diane’s) and Alan’s team (against Nikki’s) saw them maintain their 100% records.

6pts – Alan; Alison

4pts – Diane

2pts – Karen

0pts – Eileen; Nikki

Karen & Eileen, our Women’s Pairs team,  have qualified for the county quarter and semi-finals at Bush Hill Park in July! They won their latest round at sunny Ashford today (Thursday 15th). They’ve made a habit of leading from the start and repeated it again today against an experienced team, winning 17-11.

In other county matches this week, Sunbury hosted a double-header on Tuesday with both Tracy and Karen in action in the Middlesex Unbadged Singles. After a great comeback Tracy unfortunately nudged in her opponent’s bowl on the 28th end to lose 19-21. Karen had earlier raced into a healthy lead and then took a further 4 ends to get the winning shot. Karen next goes to Staines; whilst Anita (who had a bye) faces Tracy’s victor at Bishop Duppas. In the corresponding Men’s competition I beat my Ashford opponent today and face yet another Ashford player (there are lots of ’em!) at Ashford. All matches are next week.

The club competitions have kicked off .. I saw Jenny and Sandy play their Women’s Championship match today and have generally been very impressed how folk have embraced them and started arranging their matches. I’ve had to make some changes to some of the competition draws this week .. apologies, I did forget some folk. All affected players have been informed and hopefully that’s it!

Just a reminder that if you’re playing singles you’ll need a marker .. someone who centres the jack, measures when opponents can’t agree, keeps score, provides info about the head if requested and generally enjoys watching a good game of bowls without the stress of actually playing! If you offer to mark for someone then they can do likewise for you. It can be another family member or friend (aren’t we all!) so long as everyone’s happy. Any questions please do get in touch. Dennis has kindly offered to provide some guidance on marking – details to follow.

The Friday Morning League continues tomorrow with the 3rd set of matches; followed by an SML team game against Fordbridge Park on Saturday; and then the second of our club competitions – Mixed 2-woods, on Sunday. Let’s hope we dodge any thunderstorms.

It was good to see another of our new bowlers in action in Saturday’s team friendly with Cambridge Park .. well done Neil! Things might not have gone Sunbury’s way, losing on all 3 rinks, but we were up against an experienced team looking to avenge the previous encounter.

At a balmy Ashford on Sunday we had four players (Anita, Eileen, Karen & Tracy) representing Sunbury in the Middlesex Women’s 2-woods.  Three won through to the qualifying round for the last 16 in the county, but despite brave performances in very close games it wasn’t to be. The heat took it’s toll on some and they all deserve a well-earned rest in a darkened room!

The Friday Morning League saw its second round of matches on Friday 9th. There were wins (again) for teams managed by Alan, Alison and Diane, so they could be the teams to beat this season. The next round on Friday 16th sees Alison v Diane so one team will lose their 100%  record!

Just a reminder that Club Night on Tuesday will be restricted to 4 rinks. We realise you’ve come accustomed to playing triples but it may have to be fours on this occasion. I’m sure you’ll join me in wishing Tracy (and Karen at 3pm) all the best in her Middlesex Unbadged Singles match starting around 6pm, and please be mindful when moving across the head when your games are done.

Next weekend we turn our attention to a team match in the South Middlesex League (SML), hosting 2nd placed Fordbridge Park on Saturday 17th. There is a surfeit of names listed so captain Di has a few selection issues to sort out, something she hasn’t been used to in recent times!

The following day on Sunday 18th we have the second of this season’s Club Competitions .. the Mixed 2-woods. There are currently 17 entries listed so please get in touch if your name is missing, etc..

Alan; Andrea; Anita; BobH; Chris; Colin; David; Eileen; Jenny; John; Karen; Keith; Liam; Richard; Roger; Tarun; Tracy

Other entries will be accepted up to Wednesday so please do get in touch if you’d like to play. It’s planned to be played in groups with a series of short games to determine who qualifies for the semi-finals. Everyone is guaranteed to play a number of times as it’s not a knock-out until the semis. As it’s a singles competition I’ll be asking for markers on the day and it’s expected to run from 10:30am-3pm with a lunch break around 12:30pm. For more info please get in touch .. I hope to be down on Tuesday evening.

Finally, here are the draws for our Club Competitions .. all complaints will be directed to the folk who drew the lots!

Mens 2023

Womens 2023

Mixed/Open 2023

The Sunbury Women’s pairing of Karen & Eileen augmented their reputation this week. Undefeated in last year’s Bluewood Shield they won through two rounds of this season’s Middlesex matches with wins at Cambridge Park on Monday and Staines on Thursday. They play their next round at Ashford on Thursday 15th .. fingers crossed they can win though to the quarters and semi-finals at Bush Hill on 2nd July!

In other Middlesex games, BobH lost his Unbadged Singles match but AlanP fared better with a narrow win against a player from Ashford. Another Ashford player awaits in the next round on Thursday 15th at home.

We have two Sunbury women competing in other Middlesex matches on Club Night – Karen plays at 3pm and Tracy at 6pm, both at home. That evening also sees the start of some coaching so Club Night may have to operate some fours rather than triples as it’ll be limited to 4 rinks. Also just be aware of any games in progress on arrival.

Today (Saturday 10th) sees the last of our team friendlies for a while as we host Cambridge Park. Tomorrow (Sunday 11th) is the Middlesex Women’s 2-woods competition at Ashford, which sees Anita, Eileen, Karen and Tracy representing Sunbury.

Most of the draws for this year’s club competitions have been made .. I’m just getting over some shock pairings and they’ll  be on the noticeboard and available online over the next day or so!

We welcomed Byfleet to a gloriously sunny Sunbury on Sunday 4th with captain Di back in charge. There were comfortable wins on 2 rinks, a narrow win on another and a narrow loss on the 4th rink that had been nip and tuck all the way. So a good 3-1 win overall – the same result as almost a year ago!

The new club shirts have arrived and Barry has started distributing them to those who’ve placed orders. Others will be available so just grab Barry when you see him .. he’ll be available at Club Night and beyond.

 

 

One recent match I failed to report on is in the Middlesex Men’s Senior Fours on Friday. The team of Alan, David, Dennis & Bob welcomed a strong team from Cambridge Park. After going down 4-14 they rallied to finish on 15-16 by the final end.

The draws for the Club Competitions will be made very soon so please do let me have any final entries for the Men’s, Women’s or Mixed competitions on or before this Tuesday’s Club Night. The exception is the three remaining day-long ones, where entries are accepted up to a week before. There is free entry to the Junior Championship for new bowlers; the rest are £3 each. Entry forms .. Competitions 2023

It may have been a rather chilly start to the Friday Morning League but things warmed up by the end with wins for teams captained by Alan, Alison and Diane. The second round of matches continue this Friday 9th at 10:30am. Please contact your team captain with any issues or updates on availability.

The team friendlies continue tomorrow,  Sunday 4th, with a match against Byfleet.

Monday sees some of our bowlers in action in county competitions – Bob plays at home  in the Middlesex Men’s Unbadged Singles and Eileen & Karen play at Cambridge Park in the Middlesex Women’s Pairs. Both start at 6pm. The unfortunate Colin progressed to the next round of the Middlesex Men’s Unbadged Singles (by default) but can’t take his place in the next round due to other commitments.