On Saturday, 17th September, we hosted Shere for our last friendly of the outdoor season. Despite lowering skies, the rain held off and we were able to complete our eighteen ends without any problems.

We played on three rinks, with Merrow winning on two and losing on the other, giving Merrow the victory overall.

Shere are in danger of folding, due to lack of members. However, should that happen, we at Merrow would be more than happy to welcome them to our club.

We have three indoor matches to look forward to: Mole Valley in November and then Burpham and Camberley fixtures in February 2017.

On Thursday evening, instead of our normal club night, our coach Rodney Morrison organised an evening of fun.

A number of bowling challenges were set out, where teams of three competed to score as many points as possible. The challenges included: knocking jacks into the ditch while avoiding the surrounding bowls; blindfold bowling into a square; knocking bowls into the ditch while avoiding the surrounding jacks; and Australian bowls, where the team delivers all their bowls and then bowls the jack to get as many bowls within two metres of said jack.

We finished off with a favourite; everyone trying to land their bowls on a target in the middle of the green.  This is made more difficult as everyone os bowling for themselves and bowls can get knocked onto or off the target! There was a great deal of laughter throughout this game.

As the evening drew to a close, we all enjoyed a fish and chip supper delivered to us by Seafare, washed down with each person’s choice of tipple. We all sat out in the evening sun to enjoy our meal but eventually had to retreat indoors as it came on to rain (followed by night-long thunderstorms!).

Special thanks go to Rodney Morrison for organising the event and we look forward to more of the same next year.

Our final outdoor friendly of the season is on Saturday 17th September, when we host Shere. However, we also have three indoor matches lined up over the winter.

After a very wet Saturday, which saw a planned friendly cancelled, Finals Day dawned bright and sunny, much to everyone’s relief.

The day was split into morning and afternoon sessions so that players and markers could get some lunch. A lot of good bowls was played and the results will be published soon. In the meantime, here are some photos of the day.

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Saturday, 3rd September saw Merrow visit Ripley. There was a constant threat of rain and lots of wind, but more of that later.

All four rinks were in action and all was going well until the sixteenth end, when the heavens opened, bringing the match to an early conclusion.

Totting up the scores gave Merrow the win by just one point! Who knows what might have happened if the remaining two ends had been played.

As we approach the end the season, with only a few matches remaining, it was good to get the win, no matter how close the result.

Wednesday, 31st August, saw Merrow entertain Holloway Hill.

The afternoon threatened rain, but we were fortunate enough to have a dry afternoon.

Merrow had mixed fortunes, with a mix of wins and losses on the four rinks in play. Unfortunately, the final result saw the visitors win by nine points overall.

Next up is an away match at Ripley on Saturday, 3rd September, where we hope for a good result.

Sunday 28th saw Merrow host Elstead. Three rinks were in action, playing triples.

Despite heavy clouds and the occasional light shower, we enjoyed a good match, with the sun making an appearance late in the afternoon. 

Merrow had a very good result,  with rink two posting a very respectable score, winning by over twenty points. Rinks one and three also won but by a closer margin.
We look forward to our next match on Wednesday, when we host Holloway Hill.

Saturday 20th saw Merrow visit Woking Park for our return match.

The weather did its best to disrupt our match, with rain, sun and strong winds to challenge the bowlers. However, we were equal to the task.

Unusually, we had an audience, with a number of people stopping to watch and video us. Another bonus was music from the bandstand accompanying us throughout the match!

Woking won handsomely but that didn’t detract from a very enjoyable afternoon’s bowling.

On Sunday, 24th July, we enjoyed our annual match with the parent club, Merrow Village Club. The weather was not as hot as in the past week, but it was still a pleasant day.

Five teams from each side took part, with a lot of good humour and banter. As usual, the Village Club fielded a good set of players, winning some of the matches; which was very humbling for the bowlers. With any luck, we will be able to convert some of them into members of the bowls section!

Following the match, the Village Club laid on a splendid barbecue and following on from that, a raffle was held with numerous prizes, with the amazing total of £450 being raised for the Children’s Ward of the Royal Surrey County Hospital. A big “thank you” to all concerned.

On Sunday 31st, we have another match, this time between teams for the President and Chairman of the club. If you are unable to play, why not come along and support your favourites.

Here’s a date for your diary. On 24th July, we play our parent club, Merrow Village Club.

Previous years have seen a close-fought match, tempered with a barbecue and raffle. There is usually a good turnout from both sides, with those who have never bowled often showing us how to bowl!

Do try to come along. If you are able to attend, please add your name to the team sheet in the changing room.

See you there!

Saturday, 9th July, saw Merrow visit Astolat for a friendly four-rink triples match. The day was warm but tempered by a very strong wind, which had its own effect on the bowling.

In general, this was a hard-fought match, with the lead on some rinks some rinks see-sawing between each team. However, the final outcome was a good win for Merrow 74-60, with three of the four rinks winning. Congratulations to David Matthews, Calvin and Ken for notching up an impressive win on their rink.

Merrow normally only play a friendly with Astolat once a year, but this is likely to be our last match with them, as there are plans for Astolat to merge with Guildford and become Stoke Park Bowls Club. It is a pity to lose a well-liked club in this way but we wish their members well in the revised set-up.