The planning for the second, of what we hope will be, our annual Aussie Pairs competition for the Raison Trophy, in memory or Lorna and David, started months ago. Folks were invited to apply with a deadline of 23^rd July but there were several attempted last-minute entries. These had to be declined as the format had been juggled to accommodate the 16 who did apply in time.

The morning started early with green preparation and setting up for two leagues and all the players arrived in time for the 9.30am draw, though it should be noted that Barbara and David O were last to arrive despite being closest. Pauline and Helen arrived with cake which made the tea break much more interesting. The two morning group stage matches were played in glorious sunshine. We had lunch in the clubhouse due to the deteriorating weather and the last afternoon group games caught the start of the forecast rain.

We decided against playing the three playoff matches to determine 3rd through to 8th place and those who stayed were treated to an exciting final between Mike B & Paul D and Allen & Joan. It was 7 all after the scheduled 8 ends so the match went to a one end tie-break. Well done to all the finalists and spectators for braving the rain, remaining focussed and smiling.

David E presented the winners and runners up and the two 4th place teams with their respective trophy and prizes.

If you want to take part next year don’t forget to apply by the deadline!

Well it’s summer and the rain has started – it is needed for the green but not much fun to play in. Some dedicated folk have turned up to club nights despite the weather and managed to get a few ends in before (sometimes) having to admit defeat.

We played at Tongham on Saturday 29th July. This was our first visit to Tongham. It was an enjoyable afternoon and the weather stayed fine. We started with a spider where David E got closest to the spider, winning a bottle of wine. Tongham were accommodating hosts treating us to tea and biscuits at half time. Although we won on 3 rinks and lost on 1 rink, the overall score was close with Merrow winning by just 6 points. Report by Allen M.

Despite a heavy shower we all had an enjoyable game against our friends from Holloway Hill on Wednesday 13th July. Due to the heavy shower we stopped for tea and biscuits early, provided by John P and Debbie, sat out the rain then continued the rest of the match winning overall. Special congratulations go to Ken, Pauline and Brian who won on their rink 25 – 13.

Although wet weather was forecast we completed our friendly at Stoke Park, 9^th July without a drop of rain falling. After gaining early leads we gradually fell away and lost narrowly on all four rinks for an overall defeat by 20 shots. A highlight however was Lesley, Allen and John gaining a hot shot (winning all nine shots on one end), so they will be in line to receive a certificate. Report by Richard D.

One or two match reports are still missing, but all the results can be found on BIAS.

The on-going diary of a new(ish) bowler

A few more months later I have learnt more:-

Swishing….
It’s fast that way but slower coming back…
Making tea for 12+ people…
The fuse box for the fridge is behind the curtain…
Bugs that lay their eggs in the green…
What happens in the ditch when jack makes an escape from its predators…
Where to hide when I want to vape…
Even the best players can be awful….
There has been Earl Grey tea, in the jar that says PG, sabotage…
I still need to get lower…
I love this club and its people…

What I haven’t learnt yet:-

Why the trees cast a shadow that covers half the green but when you go to the other end it only covers a quarter…
Why your bowl has a mind of its own when confronted with invisible obstructions…
Why we say “have a good game” to our opponents when clearly I don’t mean it…
Why my bowls have no understanding of how to play….
And why I want to go to bed at 7pm after an afternoon at bowls.

Still so much to learn and hoping for a degree at the end of this journey!

Just as David E was about to give an update on the friendly fixtures his match report emails have been temporarily (we hope!) lost by Virgin Media so instead we have some photos of our lovely flower beds and banks. Steve D and Barbara along with volunteers have been doing a fantastic job improving our outlook.

You can catch up with the league situations, including our internal club night league under the Fixtures tab.

Club competitions are now well underway so remember to check out the competition noticeboard for your next game.

This Sunday’s (4th June) friendly at Godalming was played in good spirits, sunshine, and with a brass band playing in the background. The home team played well as the score line indicates, but Merrow gave it their best. Congratulations to Debbie, Helen and Suheyla who were our highest scorers losing by only one shot.

Thanks to Godalming for their hospitality; they are a friendly team and we look forward to our match with them at Merrow next season. Report by Ken B

Saturday 3^rd June we entertained Heathervale. Unfortunately they could only field two triples, however that gave the opportunity for eight Merrow bowlers (organised by Debbie) to enjoy two side games.

The match against ended up in a narrow victory 30-26 for Merrow with one each side winning a rink, Merrow’s victors were Ian, Joan and Richard. Thanks to Helen and Jo for the catering. Report by Richard

Open Day
The Open Day was busy with 13 participants ranging from teens to nearly 90. Several have already returned for some coaching and we look forward to making them welcome in the club.

Tony D who joined us last year summed up the day:

Pretty obvious it’s a happy club!
I’m fairly new, but love it here..!! 👍👍👍
I’ve learnt about rock cakes, plants, compost, and getting lower!
Who could ask for anything more 🤣

Friendlies
The match away today (28th May) was against Knaphill. Merrow presented stern opposition and were narrowly defeated by 10 points but won on two rinks. The occasion was convivial and the weather excellent. Well done to David E, Paul P and Sally in getting our top winning rink. Report by John W

The local derby match against Burpham on the 27th May was very popular with enough players to make a five triples game. The weather was good and we enjoyed an afternoon of catching up, bowling and tea with our near neighbours. Merrow won overall on shots with Burpham winning on 3 of the 5 rinks. Report by Debbie.

On Sunday 21^st May, we made our biannual visit to Milford for a four triples friendly. We won narrowly overall by 70 – 65, with our winning rinks being achieved by Sue R, Dave F and David E and Chris, Steve M and Richard. The other two rinks of Sally, Tony R and Debbie and Brian R, Michael P and John W were just edged out.

Thanks to Milford for their hospitality which we look forward to reciprocating when they visit Merrow next season. Report by Richard

It was lovely to see so many familiar faces from the indoor season when Merrow played against Wonersh on Saturday the 20th May. The result proved to be very close on all rinks, however Merrow had to accept a narrow defeat in the end.

Allen, Pauline and Trevor were Merrow’s only winning rink but Jo, Tony R and Sally tied on their rink. The overall result was 53-61, which rightly reflected a close game all round.

Thanks to Steve D and Paul P for the splendid tea, which with the heat and blue skies, conjured up a vision of a quintessential old English garden high tea. The atmosphere was very pleasant and the opposition said that they were already looking forward to their next visit! Report by John W

As part of the national Bowls’ Big Weekend, Merrow are holding an Open Day on Monday 29th May, 10am-4pm. Everyone is welcome, just bring trainers.

Skills
Everyone managed to score points in the second skills session with some tricky scenarios set up to test our ability to get the correct line and weight. Check out the table on the league tab and why not come and join us on a Monday afternoon and see how you fare in the challenges?

Friendlies
A fine and sunny afternoon made an enjoyable friendly bowls match at Mayford Hall on Wednesday 17th. Mayford Hall fielded a strong team and beat Merrow 72-55. Tony D, Joan and Helen got the best result for Merrow forcing a draw on the last end of a 15-15 rink. Report by Allen M

Merrow achieved two firsts in our friendly at Liphook on Saturday (13th), our first friendly win of the season and the first game to be played in sunshine!

In what is our most distant journey of the season Merrow were the eventual winners by 88 shots to 44. Comfortable wins were achieved on rinks 1 and 2 by Ian M, Tony D and Michael P, and Pauline H, Steve M and David E. Rink 5 was a tight affair with Jo J, Allen M and Debbie E losing by one shot, with rink 6 even closer where a draw was achieved by Trevor R, Dave F and Richard D.

A big thank you to our hosts at Liphook, who we will entertain later in the season. Report by Richard D

Oatlands Park Bowl’s club were obviously keen to play our mid week game (10th May) as some of their team turned up early at 1.30 pm, all very smart in their blazers and ties. They even offered to help prepare for the game but this was declined and we gave them a cup of tea instead.

I would like to thank Ken and Lesley for being the caterers that day and also to thank Ken for swishing all of the rinks.

The game proceeded in not too bad weather, just a couple of light showers, we stopped for tea and biscuits after 10 ends, short speeches were made and Oatlands Park thanked us for being a friendly and welcoming club.

The second half started in a jolly fashion but then on the 12/13th/14th end the heavens opened up with hailstones and thunder. As everyone was drenched the captains decided to call it a day.

We won on two of our rinks but lost on one rink. The total score was in favour of Oatlands Park who despite the weather thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon. We dried off in the bar with a drink. Report by Allen M

Merrow Village Bowls Club welcomes you to come and try bowling – just bring trainers, bowls provided

Our President David Foster officially opened the green on Sunday 16^th April with a short welcome to new and returning members along with several spectators. After he put up the traditional couple of woods, those who are not still playing indoors joined in with (competitive!) 6 end triples games.  

It was lovely to be able to catch up and we all enjoyed delicious cakes and tea in the very welcome spring sunshine.