Wey Valley versus Merrow and Mayford Hall (27th November)

Several months ago, Merrow were asked if they would make up half the team to play Wey Valley in a friendly fixture. Not fighting shy of the task but rising to the occasion, Merrow agreed to put up three rinks. Although Wey Valley won the overall match, the three rinks provided by Merrow more than acquitted themselves well!

Rink 1: Barbara, Joan, Allen and Ken Lost 16-19

Rink 3: Debbie, Melanie, Pauline and John won 20-19

Rink 6: Sally, Helen, David F and Trevor won 24-11

I would like to thank all the players who took part. You did the club proud

John

Our presentation lunch was very well organised by Trevor and Sheila and held at Weybourne House. We enjoyed drinks in the sunshine, a quiz by John and a three-course meal. The formal awarding of the trophies and medals were overseen by Julie and Richard. The afternoon was rounded off by a raffle with ticket sales and folding by Joan and Sue R, with the draw itself ‘co-ordinated’ by Ken, Andy and Barbara. Here are a few pictures courtesy of Andy and Allen to give you a flavour of the afternoon.

Thank you to everyone who helped with the Jumble Sale, particularly Joan and Allen for organising it. We raised just over £600 on the day which will go to improving the clubhouse.

The evenings are drawing in and since the announcement of the hosepipe ban it seems to have rained non-stop. However, looking back over the month plenty has happened.

The end of the club night league resulted in torch-lit play for the last end and Helen came out top with Steve D second. Thirty-nine different bowlers took part in this over 18 weeks and it made Thursday evenings very interesting. David O topped the skills challenge leader board and we have all had the opportunity to use our skills in match-play to good effect.

Very poor weather meant no bowling at our fish ’n’ chips night so we adjourned to the main club instead to eat. Ken, Trevor and Andy ran the raffle and eventually managed to distribute all the prizes. Thank you to everyone who contributed – just under £100 was raised for club funds.

Club competition finals were played on a dry weekend 10^th and 11^th September. There were lots of finalists and supporters who came to watch some very close matches and eat cake. Well done to Julie for organising and all those who took part to make the event a success. The winners and runners up will be presented with trophies and medals at our annual presentation lunch in October.

Merrow has had some great success this year and for the second year in a row won the Harding Cup, this year against Albury. Thank you to Ripley for hosting, to David Poole for organising and to Mariane for the delicious cakes.

As top of their zone our Knaphill Triples squad qualified for the semi-final and finals playoff. Due to poor weather the two matches were played in one day. Well done to the team for defeating Knaphill in the semi-final. Merrow eventually ended up second to Camberley after a tiring but rewarding day.

We played our annual match against the main Club on Sunday 18^th September. It was a lovely sunny afternoon, the green still looking and playing well. The club players got their eyes in quickly and were in the lead half-way through. However, the bowlers eventually came good to win the trophy back with a resounding victory 96-70. We had a wonderful barbeque and salad provided by the club and Ali. Thanks to everyone who made the day possible.

We have had a busy and hot summer, so hot in fact that some matches have had to be cancelled or postponed! However we have been grateful to the trees for the shade during fixtures that have been played and the opportunity to have refreshments greenside thanks to the new tables and chairs.

The Monday afternoon skills have proved useful for improving our confidence in match play – sometimes we can draw round short bowls or wrest out and remain to hold shot! The goal to get within mat length for 2 points means we are focussing on accuracy.

Merrow have had a successful season in the leagues finishing mid-table or above in all including a very pleasing 3^rd for the ladies in our zone of the Surrey Ad. With a few more fixtures to play in the Knaphill Triples we could be through to the semi-final stage. Good luck to the squad. We have won all three of our Harding Cup fixtures and are through to the final on Monday 12^th September.

The Aussie Pairs Competition Day was a great success and is likely to become an annual fixture. The very close final was won by Michael and Bernard by one shot with Steve M and Steve D (who were winners of the league stage) runners up. The token prizes were bottles of wine for the winners and wine gums for the runners up. Thanks to Dave E for organising the day.  

The Club Night League has two rounds left to play and with at least half a dozen possible winners from the thirty-nine who have taken part, there is all to play for. You can check out the leader board in the fixtures tab under league tables.

What a difference a year makes! Last year we were rained off and had to postpone but this year there has been hardly a drop of rain to be seen. Umbrellas this year are being used to provide welcome shade for our spectators.

Rosemary did the honours and acted as President for us for the day and Richard headed up the Chair’s team. We had 26 players in a mixture of triples and pairs over 5 rinks. The overall winner was the Chair, 98-70, with Richard looking delighted to be able to accept the trophy.

Following the game we had a picnic and drinks. Our new tables and chairs were put to good use once again.

Richard found this photo of Merrow players from 2010.

I’m sure many of you will recognise faces.

Back row: Richard Duddy, Tony Oldland, Ken Webb, Ray Owen, Roy Edwards, Mike Jordan, Derek Oliver

Front row: Charlie Boys, Dave Matthews, Daisy Stewart (Dave’s granddaughter), Tony Cekys, Steve Mable.

Apologies for the lack of more regular match reports but things have been busy on and off the green, so here is quick update for May working backwards…

On Tuesday 31^st a thunderstorm deposited enough hail to stop play and turn the Green white. An early tea gave time for the hail to melt, and the game resumed with a dramatic win for Stoke Park on the last end.

Despite the weather getting worse as summer approaches we have played all our fixtures and have had some success with friendlies both home and away. Notably we beat Burpham and Knaphill at home over the weekend 28^th/29^th May. We travelled to Oatlands Park for a new fixture and were made very welcome despite the rain.

League fixtures continue with varied success in Tuesday Triples, Knaphill Triples, WSBA Midweek league and the Surrey Ad. Again all fixtures have been played despite the weather.

Our Thursday Club Night league is proving popular with new and old bowlers, with 25 different members currently taking part. Skills sessions on a Monday afternoon are giving us opportunities to practise shots and track our progress. Everyone is welcome to join either of these – it doesn’t matter if you have not been before.

This year several members have entered Surrey and WSBA competitions for the first time and have had the opportunity to play singles, pairs, triples and rinks against other clubs and visit new grounds.

Lots of people have been involved in improving the green surrounds and environment led admirably by Barbara and Steve D. We now have a composting system to recycle our grass cuttings. The banks are full of colour and the two flower beds near the clubhouse are looking splendid. Len sourced two planters for us from the National Trust which were filled with manure and compost before being planted up. Ask Mike B or John W about collecting the manure!

Merrow Village Bowls Club welcomes you to come and try bowling – just bring trainers, bowls provided.

On Sunday 17th April our green was officially opened for the new season. Our chair Richard Duddy and David Matthews’ daughter Sara each gave a short speech to the assembled throng before David’s widow Rosemary delivered the first bowl of the season

David Ewins had organised a short game of triples over six ends. Thanks to the good turnout, we had bowlers on six rinks and we were able to use our new scoreboards, kindly funded by Rentokil Initial. Everyone enjoyed playing in the warm sunshine and the afternoon was rounded off with tea and cake.

Here’s to a successful season.