Saturday 20th at home to Witney Mills

Saturday saw us entertain Witney Mills on a cloudy but warm afternoon.  Again we used all 6 rinks, as we played 6 triples, with a resounding victory by 119 shots to 83.
 
 
 
Rink 1  -  Lead  -  Kath Buckingham
 
               No. 2  -  Howard Buckingham
 
               Skip    -  Mark Stokes
 
Marks rink shared the ends and in the end the result was a draw, although it looked as though we were heading for a win, with 4 ends to play Mark was leading 14-8, but unfortunately lost the last 4 ends to share the points 14-14.
 
 
 
Rink 2  -  Lead  -  Cliff Hall
 
               No. 2  -  Pete Griffin
 
               Skip    -  Chris Skidmore
 
The '3 Musketeers' were in no mood to lose and only let the opposition win 4 ends and won convincingly 29-9.
 
 
 
Rink 3  -  Lead  -  Jill Hart
 
               No. 2  -  John Standen
 
               Skip    -  Dave Bryant
 
Although Dave's rink won 8 ends they could not score as heavily as the opposition when they won an end and unfortunately went down 12-23.
 
 
 
Rink 4  -  Lead  -  Yvonne Twomey
 
               No. 2  -  Tony Bird
 
               Skip    -  Chris Twomey
 
Chris's rink were always in the lead, even though the scores were tight and after the 11th end there was only 1 point in it, but they won 5 of the remaining 7 ends to come away victorious 21-14.
 
 
 
Rink 5  -  Lead  -  Claudia Stokes
 
               No. 2  -  Chris Shallis
 
               Skip    -  Bryan Ogilvie
 
It looked as though we were heading for defeat as, after 9 ends the Captains rink were 10-3 down, but they scored a 7 on the next end and continued to pile on the pressure to come home victorious 24-14.
 
 
 
Rink  6  -  Lead  -  Terri Gold
 
                No. 2  -  Richard Lawrence
 
                Skip    -  Mick Wilkins
 
This was Mick's first game as Skip, but this did not worry him winning 11 ends and coming home convincing winners 19-9.
 
 
 
Another enjoyable game played in the right spirit in good company.  I am sure they will be keen for revenge in our return fixture at the end of the season, 5 September, and it is hoped the refurbishment of their club house is complete by then, apparently it was due to be finished in April!  A big thank you to Dave for standing down and agreeing to run the bar and of course to Skiddy and Maggie for setting out the club house prior to the game.

Tuesday 16 June Centenary celebration match with Bowls England

The highlight of our Centenary year was the match with a squad from Bowls England which was played on a delightful afternoon affording sunshine, a few clouds and a gentle breeze which made for an enjoyable time.  It was good to see six rinks in use and despite that many people it wasn't too crowded.  We went down 2 - 4 in rinks but the points score was Adderbury 89 - Bowls England 90!   Given that we were up against county players representing eight counties I think that we can say we equipped ourselves very well.  We were well supported by members and spectators and had our three life members in attendance - Roger Hack, Derek Smith and Joe Wright.  

 

Our guests were Captain Alan Scholan of Witney Town and Bowls England Vice President, Paul Green, was their guest speaker who gave an informative speech and handed out presents to various people including Jenny and Lucy who were on bar duty.  The Captains' duties were shared between Bryan and Chris and thanks must be extended to Jenny and Lucy for running a very busy bar, Janet and Helen for looking after the raffle and Roz and Maggie for helping where needed.  Our resident photographer, Maureen Tyrrell was kept busy so thank you Maureen.

 

Rink 1

Mick Jelfs, Mick Wilkins, Pete Wells and Phil Gladden halved the ends but let the last three go to come home 16 - 19.

 

Rink 2

Nigel Eley, Jill Hart/John Standen, Dave Bryant and Ted Eley were always in control taking 12 ends to romp home 20 - 7.

 

Rink 3

Finlay Jelfs, Yvonne Twomey, Paul Jones and Chris Twomey were up against tough opposition, took 7 ends, including a magnificent 5 on the 12th, but trailed in 13 - 21.

 

Rink 4

Terri Gold, Dave Drinkwater, Iain Mobbs and Bryan Ogilvie had a similar game to rink 3 taking 7 ends to lose by three points 11 - 14,

 

Rink 5

Paul Jelfs, Richard Lawrence, Phil French and Jamie Wilkinson also halved the ends in a tight game to trail home 13 - 15.

 

Rink 6

Cliff Hall, Tony Bird, Pete Griffin and Chris Skidmore securred a win with 10 ends in another close game to hand in a two point victory 16 - 14.

 

After the match we enjoyed a sumptuous buffet provided by Mrs Teas.  In addition to the thanks extended above we are grateful to those who assisted in preparing the club before the game.

Saturday 13th away to Carterton

For a nice change we had lovely sunshine for the afternoon, it's a pity the result was not as lovely, but everyone enjoyed the game and the score does not reflect how the game was contested.
 
 
 
Rink 1  -  Lead  -  Tina Timms
 
               No. 2  -  John Timms
 
               Skip    -  Bryan Ogilvie
 
We started the game very positively and after 6 ends were leading 8-2, but the opposition clawed their way back and with 4 ends to play we were just 1 shot behind.  However on 2 of the ends we were holding 1 shot with 1 wood to go and the Captain hit the 'Jack' on both occasions and succeeded in giving away 1 shot on the 16th and 3 shots on the 17th. Meaning we lost the game 12-19.  (Message to Captain "leave the Jack alone!).
 
 
 
Rink 2  -  Lead  -  Jill Hart
 
               No. 2  -  Phil French
 
               Skip    -  Mark Stokes
 
A very close fought game throughout with never more than 2 shots in it and with 1 end to play we were 1 shot adrift, but unfortunately lost the end by 1 shot thereby losing the game 12-14.
 
 
 
Rink 4  -  Lead  -  Yvonne Twomey
 
               No. 2  -  Chris Shallis
 
               Skip    -  Chris Twomey
 
After 9 ends Chris's rink were 10-5 ahead but they conceded 4 shots on ends 11,12 and 13 and could not come back from this and unfortunately lost the game 12-20.
 
 
 
Rink 5  -  Lead  -  Claudia Stokes
 
               No. 2  -  Terri Gold 
 
               Skip    -  Dave Bryant
 
The only success of the afternoon belongs to Dave's rink and, although they were 6-11 down after 13 ends they picked up 11 shots over the last 5 ends to run out winners 17-13.
 
 
 
An enjoyable afternoon with good weather and good company and it is a shame that we only play them once each season, hopefully we can try and adjust this if fixtures allow.

Tuesday 9 June away at Begbroke

On another fairly chilly June evening we travelled to Begbroke and as our hosts could only raise nine players we lent them three which enabled all who had subscribed to have a game.  Many thanks to Kath, Terri and Howard for agreeing to join Begbroke for the evening.

  

Despite numerous B B Cs (big black clouds)  threatening to upset the evening we escaped any rain and came away with a three rink victory and a points tally of 75 - 37.  We look forward to the return leg on 21st July.

 

Rink 2

Jill Hart, Yvonne Twomey, Dave Bryant and Chris Twomey were off to a slow start being 2 - 8 down at 5 ends but then got their act together by claiming 9 on the remaining ends to come home victorious 27 - 13, quite a turn round.

 

Rink 3

Tina Timms, John Timms, Iain Mobbs and Bryan Ogilvie halved the ends but a better score rate saw them hand in a winning card of 23 - 16.

 

Rink 4

 

Cliff Hall, Tony Bird, Pete Griffin and Chris Skidmore took 10 of the ends but a much higher score rate enabled them to come home victors, and claim the bragging rights, 25 - 8.

Saturday 6th June at home to Byfield

After much deliberation, it was decided to go ahead with our game against Byfield on Saturday.  Bad decision as it turned out as, although we had a couple of hours with intermittent  sunshine, it began to drizzle when we commenced the game and it increased to rain as we progressed, so much so that we called it a day after 10 ends.  We should have called off the game as we were soundly beaten 44-68, we obviously don't like playing in the rain||  Unfortunately we will not be able to get our own back this year as we do not appear to have a return game scheduled in the fixture list.
 
 
 
Rink 1  -  Lead  -  Cliff Hall
 
               No. 2  -  Pete Griffin
 
               Skip    -  Chris Skidmore
 
From 7-3 down after 7 ends Chris's rink then took a 3 and a 4 on the 8th and 9th end to lead 10-7, but unfortunately lost a 4 on the 10th to gown down by 1 shot 10-11.
 
 
 
Rink 2  -  Lead  -  Yvonne Twomey
 
               No. 2  -  Howard Buckingham
 
               Skip    -  Chris Twomey
 
Chris's rink was one of only 2 successful rinks of the afternoon winning 7 of the 10 ends and came away comfortable winners 16-4.
 
 
 
Rink 3  -  Lead  -  John Dunham
 
               No. 2  -  Richard Lawrence
 
               Skip    -  Paul Jones
 
Unfortunately Paul was thrown in at the dee end, this being his first game as skip and he was up against stiff opposition and only managed to win 2 ends and lost 3-15, but I am grateful for his agreement to skip.
 
 
 
Rink 4  -  Lead  -  Dave Drinkwater  
 
               No. 2  -  Terri Gold
 
               Skip    -  Bryan Ogilvie
 
After 5 ends the scores were level 4-4, but unfortunately the Captain could only muster 1 further end and went down 6-12.
 
 
 
Rink 5  -  Lead  -  Tony Bird
 
               No. 2  -  Len Selby
 
               Skip    -  Iain Mobbs
 
The other successful rink was Iain's as they won 8-6, they did manage to play an extra wend, which they lost, but the game was agreed to be 10 ends.
 
 
 
Rink 6  -  Lead  -  Jill Hart
 
               No. 2  -  Mick Wilkins
 
               Skip    -  Dave Bryant
 
Dave's rink was up against very strong opposition and they realised poor Jill could not reach long jacks in the conditions and continued to keep them extra long and, as a result they lost heavily 1-20.
 
 
 
I suppose it was the Captains fault, as he should have called the game off altogether, but it just proves we don't like playing in the rain!!  As usual a huge thank you to Jen for looking after the bar and to Chris and Maggie for setting up the club house prior to the game.

Tuesday 2nd June away at Kidlington

What a difference a week makes as on the previous Tuesday we were "cooked" at Middle Barton and last night's game went ahead with rumbles of thunder and very dark clouds which eventually cleared to leave a pleasant, if a little chilly, evening.  We won 3 of the 4 rinks with a score of 70 - 54 which was similar to the home leg in April when it was 69 - 51 in our favour so we can claim the double this season.  We only hope that the League squad can replicate this when they travel to Kidlington on Thursday!
 
It was good to welcome two new bowlers into our team as Tina and John Timms played their first game for us and were on a winning rink.  We hope that this will be the start of a long and happy association with us.  Thanks must be extended to Jill Hart for agreeing to play for the opposition as their original squad of 18 was reduced to 13 by County competitions.
 
 
 
Rink 1
 
Cliff Hall, Pete Griffin and Chris Skidmore picked up a 6 on the 4th end and took a total of 10 ends to come home winners 24 - 13.
 
 
Rink 2
 
Tony Bird, Terri Gold and Len Selby halved the ends and in a tight game managed a 3 point victory 16 - 13.
 
 
Rink 3
 
Kath Buckingham, Yvonne Twomey, Howard Buckingham and Chris Twomey were also in a tight situation and whilst they only took 7 ends they were level at 12 points all with one end to play but gifted a single to their opposition to trail in 12 - 13.
 
 
Rink 4
 
Tina Timms, John Timms, Dave Bryant and Bryan Ogilvie seemed to be in charge up to the 14th end when they went one point down but a 5 followed by a 3 saw them home 18 - 15.
 
 
 
All in all a pleasant evening with good company and the decision to proceed at 16.00, which seemed a bit risky once or twice, was justified!