After a very long delay the hedge was trimmed back today. As you will see below it makes the green look so much more attractive. It will also help improve airflow to the grass and make maintenance of the boards easier.

On Wednesday, 28th November, Merrow bowlers travelled to Leatherhead for our first indoor match of the season. Our hosts were Mole Valley, ready to take us on playing four rinks.  Unfortunately, Mole Valley were let down by some players not turning up, meaning that they had to play with three bowlers to our four on three of the four rinks. Merrow were supported by three additional bowlers from Wey Valley: Sue, Lawrie, and Jonathan, to whom we owe a vote of thanks.

For the first time, Merrow were able to field a side where all bowlers also played indoors at Wey Valley, so we were confident of improving on our previous years’ results. As the match progressed Merrow were suffering mixed fortunes against an experienced Mole Valley side. The overall score fluctuated throughout the match but eventually Mole Valley prevailed, winning 87-75. This wasn’t as bad as it might seem, as it is the first time that we had held Mole Valley under 100! Well done to all Merrow bowlers. Merrow did win on one rink with a great score of 30-10, so congratulations to Allen, Lawrie, Sue and David. We also drew on one rink 19-19; well done Rodney, Sue, Bernard and Len.

We look forward to our next indoor match, which will be away against Camberley on Sunday, 27th January.

On a sunny and warm Sunday, 21st October, Merrow’s Presentation Lunch took place at the Guildford Masonic Centre. Sitting on the terrace, you would have been forgiven for thinking that we were in the middle of Summer, not well into Autumn.

There was a good turnout of club members and partners, with proceedings ably managed by David Matthews.

To keep everyone amused, Tony Cekys had created a quiz for the event. Each couple had two sheets of twenty questions, and we all set to work trying to work out the answers. I must say that Tony is a tough quizmaster! The quiz passed a few minutes before we went up for our lunch, which all enjoyed; very tasty. Our thanks go to Vince and the catering team for their cheerful service.

Once we had finished lunch, we moved on to the presentations. The awards are mainly for the club competitions, with a couple of other items that aren’t competitions. The photos below show the winners and runners-up receiving the awards, all presented by our Chairman, David Matthews.

Presentations over, we moved swiftly on to the raffle. All prizes were donated to the lunch by club members, so a big thank-you to all that helped make the raffle a success. Sue Reigate and Lorna Raison had been busy selling tickets to the assembled throng, who studied their numbers closely for that winning ticket. We also had the quiz answers, with prizes for the highest scores. Team Wills and Mead came out on top in the first round, winning some chocolates. The second round was decided on a tie break, with Team Duddy getting the spoils. Great fun.

 

Len Merritt, who was unable to attend, was recognised for his work on our new equipment shed and sundry other tasks, receiving the Stentiford Shield in his absence.

If you would like a copy of any of the photos, either digitally or printed, please contact David Raison.

A big thank you to everyone that helped “put the green to bed”.

We are making great strides towards improving our green and, with members’ help, over the next few months we should really see a great change in the playing surface. If you are able to give up some time to help out, do let David Ewins know.

A special mention for Graham, from Bowls England, who has been advising us on the work programme and also providing some equipment as and when needed. An invaluable resource.

Merrow’s final outdoor match of 2018 was at Castle Green on Sunday, 23rd September. We have often had mixed fortunes with Castle Green fixtures during the Summer due to Guildford in Bloom taking over their facilities, so this match was our last opportunity in 2018 to play alongside Guildford Castle.

Saturday had been very wet, and Sunday morning also saw a heavy downpour, but by noon the rain seemed to have stopped, with a dry afternoon forecast, indeed we played in bright sunshine.

With Castle Green loaning us two bowlers, we were able to play three rinks of triples, although on one rink we were to play two against three, playing with a total of eight bowls for each team.

The match started well with all getting used to the green. Three of the rinks were nip and tuck, but our fourth rink was up against very strong competition.

After ten ends we stopped for a warming tea kindly prepared by Joan. We hoped that the refreshments would give Merrow added impetus, and that seemed to be the case, with all rinks making progress. However, the match ended with a good win for Castle Green on 84 points to Merrow’s 57. Well done to everyone for putting up a good showing against strong opposition.

This was our last outdoor match of the season. Our next match is an indoor fixture against Mole Valley in November, so make sure you put your name on the team sheet.

On Saturday, 15th September, Merrow bowlers travelled to Seale & Sands for our first friendly with the club.

Preparing for a match of four triples, we were blessed with a warm and sunny afternoon.

All rinks were playing with great friendliness and humour so, on breaking for tea after ten ends, the scores were looking quite respectable. We all enjoyed our tea, kindly provided by Rosemary and Colin, and the raffle was shared equally between the teams with both captains winning.

Unfortunately, Merrow’s Mark was not well enough to continue after the break, so his place was taken by super-sub Ben, playing in only his second match. Well done Ben. We also had Julian playing in his first away match, who also acquitted himself well.

After the final end, we were surprised to find that two rinks had drawn, and each side had won on one rink. The final scores were Merrow 47, Seale & Sands 53.

A splendid afternoon was enjoyed by all, and we look forward to hosting the return match in 2019.

Merrow’s club competitions Finals Day took place on Sunday, 9th September.

Starting at 10am, spectators were treated to a feast of good bowling throughout the day.

Matches played on Sunday were:

• Ladies Drawn Pairs

• Men’s Junior Championship

• Two Wood Singles

• Three Wood Singles

• Men’s Drawn Pairs

• Handicap Singles

• Ladies’ Championship

• Novices’ Championship

• Men’s Championship

The Mixed Pairs final was played on the previous Wednesday. The 101 final is to be played on Tuesday, 11th September. These adjustments were made due to player availability.

Here are a few photos of the day. If you’d like a copy, please contact David Raison

On Saturday, 8th September, Merrow hosted a friendly of three triples against Heathervale. The weather had been threatening rain during the morning, but fortunately it stayed dry, if a little cool.

Heathervale got off to a flying start, although David’s rink 2 was making a good showing. The bowling on all rinks was close, even if the scoring didn’t reflect it. At the half-time break, we all enjoyed tea and cakes provided by Colin.

After the restart, Heathervale seemed to be rejuvenated and came at us with a vengeance, eventually running out winners on two rinks and winning overall by 53 points to Merrow’s 34. A consolation for Merrow was the win by Mark, Joan and David F on rink 2, 17-10. Well done!

No photos for this match, as I was too busy trying to get my bowls in the right place!

 

Put the date in your diary. Sunday, 9th September is our club competitions finals day. Why not come and cheer on your favourites while enjoying a drink from the bar.

Matches start at 10am. A full timetable is shown on the club changing room door.

Saturday, 1st September promised to be warm and sunny. Fortunately, this proved to be the case when we entertained Ripley for a friendly of four triples.

On arrival, Ripley were a player short due to illness, so Merrow’s Tony C volunteered to step in for the opposition.

Initially, Merrow were ahead on three rinks. Sadly, Merrow’s Mike had to retire after six ends due to back pain. Out of the blue, Mark’s son Ben stepped in as substitute. Now, Ben had only had a roll up on the Thursday but had shown some promise, but he was soon contributing to the match, much to his Dad’s pleasure.

We all stopped for tea after ten ends and enjoyed tasty home-made cakes provided by Debbie, Joan, and Lorna. Many thanks to Jean for dealing with the teas.

The match resumed with mixed fortunes. At eighteen ends, both sides had won two rinks, but Merrow triumphed overall by ten points, 66-56.

Our top rink was Sally, Lorna, and David E, winning 25-9.