The once a year bowls match at Wey Valley was once again an enjoyable afternoon with our friends from Castle Green. Lawrie’s team beat Allen’s team in a game of two halves. Allen’s team were winning by a margin at half time but in the second half Lawrie’s team came back with a good win. Thank you to Mike and Julide for setting up the score board, Stephen D and David O for working the bar and Joan for sorting out the tables arrangement, as what should of been six turned into five tables. Luckily there was more than enough food and everyone went away happy and full.

Merrow Bowlers and supporters have been enjoying some indoor fixtures over the close season and are very glad to be out of the seemingly non-stop rain.

We played a five triples match against Camberley IBC. We had some very good luck on the captain’s rink to come out narrowly ahead with some excellent close heads and examples of fine draw bowling by both skips (Steve M for Merrow). In the end a good win for Merrow overall and some good company for the post-match drinks and nibbles. Thanks to Camberley for hosting us and making us so welcome.

Our annual indoor fixture against Burpham at Wey Valley proved as popular as ever and there were several spectators from both clubs watching a match that finished 3 rinks all with an overall win for Merrow. We enjoyed a drink after the match and a roast dinner. Thank you to both captains, Trevor and John, for organising the afternoon.

There is one more chance to join in with indoor bowling this year – open to all Merrow members – with Castle Green on 8^th March. Apply on BIAS or let Allen know if you would like to play.

It might be the close season but Merrow bowlers have been busy playing indoor fixtures against Auriol at King George Field (overall win) and Mole Valley (overall loss but Richard’s rink had a good result), working on the green and making preparations for Christmas.

This year Sarah showed us how to make willow weaving Christmas trees at Helen’s and the results were all fabulous.

Our fourth Christmas cake decorating session at Barbara and David’s shows how far we have come over the years with many of us making our own cakes, marzipanning and icing before the final decorating sessions. Thanks to Barbara’s help we all ended up with cakes to be proud of and enjoyed rock cakes, with an extra special Christmas touch, and mulled wine.

Barbara was worried when she realised the jumble sale would clash with national indoor competitions, which would mean she was down on volunteers, but there was no need to worry as everyone stepped up and did their bit. We had teams sorting and setting up on Friday and then a team of sellers and clearer-uppers on the day, which meant everything was sold or cleared away by 2pm. Thank you to everyone who donated, came to buy or helped in any way – we raised well over £1000 on the day, with extras to come from Sally’s sterling work selling on-line. The money raised will go towards replacing our ancient green-keeping equipment and maintaining the green and surrounds.

This year we had lots to celebrate at our presentation lunch hosted at Sutton Green Golf Club as in addition to the normal awards, Merrow won a Guildford in Bloom Gold and Best in the Themed Class award for our community garden, as well as winning the Knaphill Triples Trophy. We enjoyed a delicious lunch along with some of our friends from Castle Green. After lunch, trophies and medals were distributed to the winners and runners up in the club competitions. We finished with the usual confusion over the raffle ticket colours but the many prizes were eventually claimed by the rightful winners. Thank you to Joan and Allen for the superb organisation and colour coordinated table decorations.

 A very enjoyable day was had by all at Castle Green Bowls Club on Sunday (21st). To accommodate all the members from both teams who wanted to play, we played rinks instead of triples. The weather was perfect while the brass band played music to entertain everyone. Although we lost overall, Barbara’s team, which consisted of Andy, Kathy, and Patrick from Castle Green, kept the difference down with a marvellous win of 29 to Merrow and 10 to Castle Green.

Following the match we enjoyed High Tea in the Castle Green club house – a perfect ending to our 2025 season. Report by Allen.

Many congratulations to Barbara and her team!

Despite a not so good forecast both days of finals were dry and fine if a bit blustery – at one stage the box of biscuits blew off the refreshment tables and cushions had to be tied down.

There were lots of spectators over all sessions on both days and some very close matches between a good number of different finalists. Results can be seen on BIAS and will be on our honours board in due course. There is only one outstanding match – the Novices between Tony M and Robert which will be scheduled for later.

Many thanks to David O for organising and running the competitions, Jo for umpiring both days and to the green team for preparing a very good surface despite the torrential rainfall in the preceding week.

As usual trophies will be presented at our annual awards Lunch on October 19^th. Don’t forget to book your place and lunch choices by 14^th September.

Congratulations to all 13 players who played the season to help Merrow win the Zone 3 Thursday league for the fourth time in a row. Having won the zone (shield) and qualifying for the final stages, Steve M, David E, Richard, Ruth, Barbara and John W (with Robert as reserve) travelled to Knaphill on the 4th September to play the semi finals and finals.

Despite torrential rain in the morning and ever changing playing conditions, Merrow triumphed over Knaphill Black in the semi-final. Mayford Hall provided stiff opposition in the final, but a good fight back allowed Merrow to win the overall competition for the second time in a tightly contested match. Report by John W