Friendlies
The weather stayed fine for our final Wednesday friendly at Holloway Hill. Our hosts led by Captain Roland were their usual accommodating and friendly selves.

The overall game was a win for Merrow. Rink results were: a draw, 13 – 13, for Debbie , Joan and Lesley who pulled back in three ends towards the end; a win,18 – 13, for Steve M, Steve D and John P; and a win 21 – 9 for Allen, Ken and Brian. Report by Allen.

Despite the threat of rain at our away match with Burpham Bowls Club on Saturday 26th, everything went like clockwork. We managed to get our 18 ends in with only a few spots of rain during the tea break at half time.

Overall it was a jolly affair with our kind Burpham hosts and a very close game finishing 90 – 86 in favour of the home side; it was 3 rinks each.

We all had a drink and a laugh in their lovely clubhouse afterwards. Report by Allen.

On Wednesday 16^th August we hosted Puttenham for our usual two triples friendly. We had a very warm and dry match with Merrow comfortably in the lead when we stopped for a cream tea at half-time. Puttenham made a comeback after the break and were level on one rink going into the final end but Merrow managed to hold on for a close win on both rinks. Thanks to David E for sorting the tea and doing all the extra washing up. Report by Debbie.

Sunday 13^th August saw Merrow play a friendly match at Woking Park. Despite the authorities digging up virtually every road in the Woking area, we all just about made it in time for the 2.30pm start! With the weather set fair, the four rinks produced a close match with Merrow ultimately coming out on top 68 – 54. Two of the rinks were drawn, John P, Ken and Michael  picked up a three at the last end to win by one shot, whilst on the fourth rink Lesley, Melanie and Richard won with a little more to spare. Next Saturday (19th August) sees the return fixture when Woking Park visit Merrow. Report by Richard D.

Worms!
It’s been raining a lot and the worms have been having a field day. Mike B helped roll and scrape the (two barrowloads) of mud off the green before we attempted to mow.

Further extracts from the continuing diary of a new(ish) bowler
Whilst learning how to make tea for more than 12 people, I learnt that if the urn ‘trips out’, it can be easily reset by pressing the button underneath in the middle (not so easy if full of water), which is when you will find out it’s not working!?
If the bowl in the sink is full, water the plants.

Main bowls skill this week…Sign Language!!
With many people hard of hearing and/or poor sight, this is important when the distance between you is up to 40 metres.

So when placing the mat, or centring the jack or indicating how much your bowl is off the mark, I have learnt the following…

Use 2 hands to show distance, then point which way…
Roll and point your fingers to ask for the jack to be rolled once, roll twice for two rolls…
Be careful to roll the right direction, but even then it may not go that way…
Add your voice, to help those who are hard of hearing or sight…
e.g…. A touch/a smidgeon /a tad/a bit/ a bit more. How long is a bit?…
A metre, there are varying views to what that distance is as well.