On Saturday, 31st August, Merrow played host to Ripley for a friendly of four triples.
Both sides started well, and a good match was in prospect. Merrow soon moved ahead, and managed to win on three rinks. The final result was a win for Merrow, 84-59. A tremendous performance by Allen, Richard, and John saw them win 32-10; a great result.
Well done everyone.
Another win for Merrow at Holloway Hill on Wednesday, 28th August.
We played a match of three triples on Wednesday afternoon, with some interesting line-ups for Merrow; it was good to see Robin back in action again.
Merrow were overall victors in this match, winning 51-45. Well done all.
Our next match is at home to Ripley on Saturday, 31st August.
On Saturday, 24th August, Merrow hosted the return match of our local derby with Burpham. It was a hot and sunny afternoon, with the benefit of a light breeze, and we were all thankful for the shade offered at one end of the green.
We were to play four triples over eighteen ends. The match was soon underway, with both teams fighting hard for every point. However, fortunes were mixed with Burpham leading on three rinks when we stopped for tea at the halfway mark.
We did not have a volunteer to handle the teas, so several players joined forces to provide the repast. Our thanks go to Joan, Lesley, Debbie, and Lorna for all their efforts, and the lovely cakes.
After the break, Merrow came out reinvigorated, and the fight back began. Unfortunately, one Merrow player was suffering badly with the heat, so David E kindly stepped in as substitute.
After a most enjoyable afternoon’s bowling, honours were even at two rinks each. However, the overall score favoured Merrow, who won 61-58. Well done team. Our top rink was Sue (retired), David E, Lorna, and Richard, winning 24-10. A special mention to our second rink of Mark, Brian, and Ken, who fought hard to win 14-12. The remaining two rinks also fought back to limit their losses, so well done to them.
We look forward to our next match against Burpham, which is on Sunday, 16th February 2020 at Wey Valley.
On Saturday 17th August, Merrow hosted the return match with Woking Park. Under a threatening sky, we were to play three triples of eighteen ends.
Due to other competition commitments, Woking Park were only able to field eight players, so Len was drafted in from Merrow to make up their numbers. Merrow got off to a good start, really putting pressure on Woking. At the break, Merrow were leading on rink three, with the other two rinks staying close to Woking.
After the break, Woking really got into their stride, and moved ahead. Despite a spirited fight back on rink one, Woking won on all three rinks, with a score of 49-70. Commiserations to rink one’s team of Tony, Lorna, and Bob, who lost by just two points after a strong second half.
Our thanks to Brian T for providing the interval teas.
Over the weekend of 10-11 August, Merrow played friendlies against Ewhurst, and Woking Park.
On Saturday, Merrow welcomed Ewhurst for a friendly of three triples. This was our first meeting in 2019, as the previous match had to be cancelled due to a waterlogged Ewhurst green. Fortunately, although very windy, our afternoon stayed dry.
All rinks started well for Merrow, and it looked as though we might be in for a win. However, it’s never good to be complacent, and when play resumed after the break, Ewhurst began a fightback. Our early optimism proved to be well-founded though, as Merrow went on to win by a margin of 59-41. Merrow’s top rink of Judy, Brian, and Ken had a great result, winning 24-12. Our other two rinks also did well, with Sue, Lorna, and Bob also scoring strongly to win 20-13. Sadly, your correspondent’s rink lost by a single point. Well done team.
Thanks to Joan Mead for the very welcome refreshments at the break.
On Sunday, 11th August, Merrow travelled to Woking Park for a friendly of three triples. A lovely sunny afternoon was in store as we began our match.
Woking were soon surging ahead on two rinks but with the remaining Merrow rink making a really good start. We were playing straight through, so there was little chance any respite. Sadly, the Woking captain had to call on a substitute due to an injury, after only a few ends had been played.
As the match progressed, Merrow was getting back on terms, with each rink fighting hard for each point. The end of the match resulted in Merrow gaining an overall win of 48-45, thanks to a splendid win by Tony, Lesley, and David R, with a score of 21-9. The other Merrow rinks also did well, with strong finishes by both.
Merrow host Woking Park for our return match on Saturday, 17th August.
On Saturday, 3rd August, Merrow welcomed Liphook for a friendly of four triples. Although overcast, we were fortunate to have a warm and dry afternoon.
Liphook are always a tough side, so it was encouraging to see all four rinks making a good start to the match. Each side was winning ends, and the scores were close. However, at the break for tea, Merrow were starting to edge ahead.
At the well deserved break, we all enjoyed tea, and delicious home-made cakes, courtesy of Lucy, who was helping Tony.
Re-invigorated, we resumed the battle. We ended with a brilliant result for Merrow, who won on all four rinks, scoring 84-50. Our top rink was Lesley, Allen, and John, with a great win 23-7. Splendid work!
Liphook will be renewing their green over the Autumn, so we look forward to our match next season.
Merrow Village Bowls Club 