This years match was contested by 50 players. – the bowls experts vs the darts, snooker, pool players and bar staff.

As usual it was organised chaos, sorting the teams out, letting them choose their bowls and explaining the rules. Some of the Social members proved to be worthy opponents and it certainly was a fun afternoon!

This was followed by a bbq and salad bar laid on by the Social Club.

The Bowls Club won the day, but the Social Club put up a good fight. The score wasn’t really important, as it was great to see both clubs having fun together and mixing for food and drinks after the game.

Needless to say, they have promised revenge next year.

Our Club Finals took place on Saturday 5th, Sunday 6th and Monday 7th September this year (with the last final held at the end of the following week).

The weather was fine and bright for our finals weekend and beyond this year and we were treated to some excellent high quality, very exciting matches!

We also ran a Class of 2026 challenge for the first time and 8 of our newest members participated in a fun competition of singles matchplay. Congratulations to our winner w Richard Clarke. This was a highly enjoyable event which we shall repeat next year.

Congratulations to all our winners:-

Men’s club champion: Steve Morris
Women’s club champion: Ruth Bailey
Junior Champion: David Owen
Novices Champion: Sue Ryan

Handicap Singles: Richard Duddy
101 : Steve Morris
3 woods: John Wills

Women’s Drawn Pairs: Pauline Haller and Joan Mead
Mixed Pairs: Barbara and David Owen
Men’s Drawn Pairs: Michael Paine and John Preston

Thanks to all our competitors and spectators and we are especially grateful to the cake makers!

Congratulations to our Knaphiil league winners, progressing to the final and coming out victorious! Another big achievement this year for Merrow Bowls Club.

Barbara, David, Keith, Steve, John, Robert, David and Richard

We tried this event for the first time, and it was very successful – with all levels of experience joining in.

No club shirts were allowed to encourage a relaxed atmosphere. It started off with a Sunday smile and wave from all the players. 38 members were involved, not forgetting those who helped with halftime tea and coffee. A mountain of cakes was baked by our team of pastry chefs.

The Gents won this year, but were at an advantage in terms of experience – the Ladies vowed to get revenge next year.

It was a great afternoon – lots of competitive fun, a guess the final score competition, with a new shield produced to be competed for every year. We had no rain, and lots and lots of cake!

All in all it was a very happy Sunday event.

What a spendid day out at The Royal British Legion Bowls Club we had today. Our favourite venue of the season. The playing surface was lush green and challenging for us to play on. It’s part of the public house and never fails to entertain!

There was a band playing, bbq food in abundance, many people in their ‘Sunday best’ with their kids and dogs enjoying the summer festival atmosphere. Our hosts kindly laid on a fresh sandwich buffet after our game in their 16th century Grade II listed premises.

Highlight of our friendlies every year.

Representing Surrey, our team travelled to Leamington Spa for the National Finals.  It didn’t go as planned, but was a hard fought attempt.

Richard, David, Trevor and John – and Steve who helped them achieve that tremendous goal!

Well done guys, you made Merrow proud! 

Afternoon tea at Cheesemans for this worthy cause – attended by some of our Merrow family.

In memory of David and Lorna Raison, this competition is held every year. Congratulations to John and Sally as winners. Well done to Helen and Steve for reaching the final.

Thank you to Allen and Joan for organising every year, and to all those who took part.

Congratulations to Pauline, Helen, Robert and Melanie after their final and successful assessment to become. LEVEL 1 Coaches. Also thanks to Bob (middle of photo) for being the learner bowler on the day.

Our annual President v Chair match took place on Sunday 19th July and was attended by over 30 bowlers.  Our chair, Richard D, organised the teams beautifully and his selections resulted in a very close match!  The afternoon began with a welcome from Richard, followed by some interesting information from David F about his chosen charity; the Royal Surrey County hospital.  Play began with a closest to the spider competition which was won by Richard C, one of the class of 2026, well done Richard!  The match then began in earnest with some very close matches and many shouts of encouragement to all participants.

After some feverish counting at the end of the match, the President was declared the winner by 75 points to 73, and very delighted he was, too! 

Sincere thanks to the volunteer cake makers, to Joan and Christine for checking everyone in, to everyone who donated a raffle prize, to Barbara for a most entertaining raffle and to everyone for coming out to support this annual club event!

A total of £182 was raised on the day for the Royal Surrey County Hospital- well done everybody

Ruth B
Secretary, Merrow Village Bowls Club