Mixed Start to the Bowls Season for Henley

The season started for Henley-on-Thames Bowling Club on 29 April with just a few “roll-ups” to get members in the mood for our first friendly match away to Flackwell Heath on 10 May. This fixture seems cursed by rain and this season was no exception. After a heavy hail storm, the game was eventually called off as the green was far too soggy to bowl on. On Saturday 13 May, the Club held it’s first One-Day Competition of the season called the “Yardstick”. As the name suggests, the aim of the game is to get your 4 bowls to within a yard of the jack. With 2 games of 6 ends each in the morning and 2 games in the afternoon, the Ladies winner was Joan Edwards with Angelika Crisa runner-up. In the Men’s competition David Wilson won with Simon Hatcher the runner-up.

On Wednesday 17 May, Henley entertained Palmer Park in a five mixed triples OTL match with Henley winning with a score of 92 – 69 and a maximum 14 points. Palmer Park captain Richard Nice noted after the match that he hoped to turn the tables when Henley visit them on 17 June. Kevin Currill with Kevin Browne and Angelika Crisa led from the start and were the highest winning rink at 22-9. Dave Wilson with Andy Scott and Jeanie Davies were 2 up after six ends, winning 16-12 in a closely fought game. Peter Borsberry with Peter Watkins and Maurice Robins were 8 up after five ends, level 8 all after eight ends and pulled away to win 16-14. Gill Robins with Norman Daniells and Nigel Bridges were 13 up after eight ends, just 2 up after fifteen ends but ran out winners at 20-18. Colin Ward with Sally Daniells and David Burdon we’re evenly matched after eight ends, were leading 16-11 after fifteen ends, dropped 5 shots over the next two ends but picked up 2 shots to win 18-16.

On Saturday 20 May, Henley visited Maiden Erlegh in a five mixed triples OTL match, winning on three rinks, but going down 78-86 overall resulting in 6 points to Henley and 8 to Maiden Erlegh. Peter Borsberry with Jeanie Davies and Peter Falle were the highest winning rink leading by 14 shots after nine ends. The next nine ends were evenly matched but the final score was 21-11. Kevin Currill with Norman Daniells and Joan Edwards were 7 up after ten ends and ran out winners at 23-17. Gill Robins with Andy Scott and Peter Watkins had a very close match, were 6 down after ten ends, pulled back to 3 up after sixteen ends and won by the narrowest of margins at 15-14. Colin Ward with Steve Sullivan and Jo Wilson struggled from the start going down 9-20. Dave Wilson with Sally Daniells and Nigel Bridges were 6 up after eight ends, but failed to score over the next ten ends and went down 10-24.

On Sunday 21 May, Henley entertained Thame in a four mixed triples friendly match winning on three rinks with the final score 80-58. Kevin Currill with David Burdon and Richard Kingston led from the start and recorded the the highest winning margin at 24-6. Colin Ward with Jeanie Davies and Peter Falle were fairly matched but after sixteen ends were down 12-13. They then picked up a 4 and a 7 to win 23-13. Peter Borsberry with Andy Scott and new member Glynis Holland were evenly matched just running out winners 20-15. Kevin Browne with new member Roy Holland and Angelika Crisa struggled from the start, picked up shots midway through, but still went down 13-24. Thame’s captain Bill Giles was on this rink and, at the start of the match he’d stated that he’d never won when visiting Henley. He was very pleased to have achieved this first!