After another successful season in which we reached the Finals of the Knaphill Triples for the third year running, the outcome was close but not sufficient. The final chapter was written under dreadful meteorological circumstances. It rained all morning in the semi-finals in which Merrow lost to Albury by one shot over two triples. The afternoon saw thunder and lightening and the green was waterlogged in places. The third-fourth playoff match was abandoned and Merrow will share third place with Knaphill. I would like to thank the other 11 players for their support in all the games. We won sixteen and lost only two, scoring 776 shots for and 489 against.

The competition, divided into four zones, is well organised and well suited to all players at the Merrow club. There are 40 teams, with several clubs having two or more teams. Report by John W.

The green was transformed into a 9 hole ‘golf’ course for our Crazy Bowls event organised by Tony D. We had great fun working out how to navigate the practise round before enjoying a really good spread for tea. Then the 20 players set off on a scoring round. Chris and Paul came in as eventual winners having the lowest combined score. Report by Debbie.

Merrow welcomed Ripley on Saturday 31st August for our annual friendly but with the David Matthews Trophy at stake. The match was close, with each side winning 2 rinks, but Merrow got the victory on overall shots. Thanks very much to David O for the mid-match tea. Report by Debbie.

A fun afternoon was had by all at Holloway Hill on Wednesday 27th August as they celebrated their centenary. Although Merrow lost there was only a 2 shot difference at the end with special thanks to John, Sally and Robin saving Merrow from a bigger defeat by winning on their rink 24 – 8.

Speeches were made and the Holloway Hill Captain presented Merrow with a Centenary pennant. Report by Allen.

Club Night 1st August…

…Jo and Debbie admit defeat as the thunderstorm and hail arrives to flood the green.

Aussie Pairs Competition

This year the Aussie pairs competition was held in glorious sunshine. We played in two leagues with the top team from each league playing in the final. It was a long but enjoyable day with everyone winning at least one of their league matches with shot difference the only way to separate some teams. The finalists were John W and John P and Barbara and David O with the winners above being presented with the Raison Trophy.

Friendly Update
Sunday 11^th August saw Merrow play a friendly at Woking Park. Unusually for this summer the weather was hot, as a result we agreed to play just 14 ends then retire to the shade of their canopy and a cooling drink.

Also unusually the match ended in a draw, with two wins apiece, and an overall score of 40 shots each.  We will meet up again with Woking Park on the 17^th August for the decider, when we are hosts. Report by Richard.

The day before our Wednesday game of bowls at Wonersh (24th July), I received a phone call from the Wonersh captain to say that two of their players couldn’t play, so he only had three teams and one spare player. A few phone calls later and Ken and Lesley came to the rescue by playing for Wonersh making up the four triples required.

Then two hours before the game another phone call from the Wonersh captain asking where the game was due to be played! I reassured him that we were on our way to Wonersh.

The game went well on a pleasant afternoon with Merrow winning on three rinks out of four and by 79 shots to 67. Report by Allen.