Despite some doubts, the midweek team friendly with Teddington went ahead with 4 triples and proved to be a good match played in the afternoon sun. Sunbury continued their good showing in friendlies and won by 10 shots with the relatively new Sunbury bowlers certainly playing well.
We also resumed our campaign in the South Middlesex League (SML) this weekend against Fordbridge Park, whom invariably have strength in depth and walloped us 10-nil last time out. Well, it was certainly a more competitive game with the rinks shared at 2-2 and one of those we lost on was by a single shot. Unfortunately we lost on shot count by four so the overall result was a 6-4 win to Fordbridge Park.
The Friday Triples saw the second set of matches played in glorious sunshine. Diane’s team are setting the pace, following up a first week win with another over Alan’s team in a final end decider; there was an even closer game played between Eileen’s and Nikki’s teams with Nikki’s team edging it with the final bowl. Next Friday sees the third set of games of ten.
4 pts – Diane;
2 pts – Alan; Alison; Karen; Nikki
0 pts – Eileen
In county games this week we nearly had the result of the season when Simon, Keith & Colin played a strong Ashford team in the Middlesex Men’s Triples. After a nip and tuck start, Ashford edged away and built up an 8-shot lead. The Sunbury boys were preparing to call it a night, that is until they picked up an unprecedented 8 on the penultimate end. Unfortunately they lost the final end by 1-shot but they can certainly hold their heads up high on what might have been! In other games, Nathan and I had a close match in our 2nd game in the Middlesex Men’s Pairs losing by 4 shots to an Ashford pair. Having won my three previous rounds against players from Masonians in the Middlesex Unbadged Singles it was refreshing to play someone from a different club in my last-16 game. Playing on Ashford’s super green brings a new challenge and the marker was someone I’d previously lost 21-20 to. Unfortunately the omens won and I lost 21-20 again! So, that’s now three county games Sunbury have lost by one shot this season .. I think we deserve some better luck soon!
Some of the early rounds of this season’s Club Competitions were played this week .. Tarun was again one of the first off the blocks closely followed by BobH but thanks to everyone for being so keen. The online lists and sheets in the clubhouse will be updated on a regular basis. We still have three day-long competitions left to play this season so please do get in touch if you fancy competing, especially those who’ve joined recently. Everyone is more than welcome.
In other news, our lawn mower now bears the name of our much-loved past President who died in late 2023 and who’s estate kindly donated some funds to help pay for it; Karen received her colts badge when representing Middlesex in a recent county game at Sussex; Sandy & Simon were snapped on their knees, perhaps praying they’ll soon get to the end of their mission to bring all the benches back to life .. what a superb job they’re doing!
