The first match of the season, saw us away to Mackintosh B.C., a fixture we always look forward to, great atmosphere, good friends, and great hospitality. The night was very cold, and we struggled on a green that was very heavy, playing indoor bowls during the winter, did us no favours, as we all struggled to get up to the head. We decided to put out a rink of youngsters, Gareth Watts skipping for the first time, they played well, but went down by 19 shots, but they all learned how difficult it was to play in all new positions, all players said after the game, "they had all learned a lot." The only winning rink was skipped by Tom Hooper, where they had a well deserved win by 10 shots. It was nice to see Ray Chichester on the rink, who had been out for the whole of 2007, through illness, and Colin Taylor back on the rink, after missing the last half of the 2007 season.
Whitchurch Hospital B.C. (away ) Friendly 19/4/08
The weather has just got really bad, biteing winds and heavy rain greeted us at Whitchurch Hos B.C. Both teams did well just to turn out to play in atrocious conditions, and the match went down to 15 ends. Played in good spirit, this is another friendly game we have played for many years, and the best was made of a bad day. The line was straight, and the green was heavy, as the rain came down.The wind changed the line of many bowls, but Whitchurch came out worthy winners, 41 shots to 62. After the game, the hospitality was great, and a well deserved pint was shared, as a lot of blue hands turned back to pink, in the warmth of the club house. Rod Thomas's rink had a well deserved victory, winning by 7 shots on a nasty Saturday afternoon.
Tour 2008. Torquay B.C. 25/4/08, Babbacombe B.C. 26/4/08, Newton Abbot B.C. 27/4/08
This mini tour went well, but three matches in three days certainly took it's toll on the 16 players that went. We were unlucky that only 16 bowler's were able to go this year, but all games were played in a fantastic atmosphere, and we were treated to an excellent welcome at all clubs. Our first game at Torquay B.C. was great, we were lucky with the weather, as the sun greeted us, the game was close, with 2 rinks winning and 2 losing. Torquay came out on top wiining 65-96, with some great bowling, they had a well deserved victory. On Saturday wevisited Babbacombe B.C., another great welcome, with a fantasic green, the drinks did flow a bit at this venue, and a good laugh was had by all. The banter on the green was great, and we all enjoyed the fixture, with the sun on our backs, the afternoon was great, again we went down 66-94, but who cared. Sunday, the last game saw us at Newton Abbot, we arived in rain, but again we were greeted with great hospitality, and the first hour was spent in the bar. (Talking ) The green was in fantastic condition for the time of year, and you could see why it was the best in the county. Another game played in great spirit, and great banter, the rain did stop after tea, but again on our last day we came away with a loss 51-81. At all venues we played good bowls, but were beaten by some great bowling, and any club touring this part of Devon, all of these clubs get 10 out of 10, and a visit is well worth it. Player of the tour, was John Adams, well done.
Splott B.C. Away Friendly 30/4/2008
Splott B.C., always a delicate fixrure, to start the evening game Splott B.C. turned up with only 14 players, so there was confusion picking there rinks, we ended up playing only three of there players on two rinks, while we had a full compliment out on the green. The match is never the same, when bowlers are playing 3 woods, the heart seemed to go out of the game. On a very cold evening, we ended up 2 rinks up, and 2 rinks down, loseing 40-54. Terry Spiteri, had a fantastic game at lead, with some great bowls all night, on a winning rink skipped by Richie Barry.
Barry Plastics B.C. Away Freindly 3/5/2008
This game was so near yet so far, all rinks played well, but Tom Hooper's rink was paired against an unforgivenig foursome, and went down by an unrelenting 40 shots to 7. But the game was played in great spirit, in warm sunshine. The hospitality after the game was second to none, and most players enjoyed a good afternoon of bowling, on a very heavy, and straight green.
Fairoak B.C. Home Friendly 7/5/2008
The first home game of the season, saw us welcome Fairoak B.C. to Splott Park, the evening was very warm, as the sun was low in a cloudless sky. All rinks played really well, on a wonderfull evening for bowls, the banter on the green was really great, and the game was played in a friendly atmosphere. The green was heavy, but the line was good, rink 5 skipped by Gareth Watts, had a close game, and went into the last end 9 shots to 10 down, but with some clever bowling by Gareth, he took 2 shots with his final wood, to come out winners, by 11 shots to 10. With all rinks wining, Richie Barry skipped his rink to a 10 shot win, it felt good as the boy's claimed the clubs first win of the season.
Bargoed B.C. Home W.B.A. Cup 10/5/2008
What a great day, plenty of sunshine, the green was good but still heavy, and the boys were up for it. Sadly before the game a bit of displaced banter took place between some of our members, and changed the whole tone of the game, before a wood had been bowled. The players did there best but a win was in doubt, and a well looked forward to game turned into a nightmare, for some. In the end Bargoed came out winners 61 shots to 88. Tom Hooper's rink had a great victory, 4 shots down on the last end, the rink took a well deserved 5 shots, to win 21/20. Rink 1 skipped by Rod Thomas, were 15/15, going into the last end, but could'nt make there hard work pay off, as the visitors took 3 shots to win 18/15. Rink 3 and 4, took deafeats by 15 shots, and 5 shots, but when all is said, the beat team on the day came out with a victory.
