Highworth Bowls Club

Already we  are half way through the season and as Captain I could not have asked for more, by way of support, than you have all given me this season. The Wilts and S&D squads have played with spirit and determination. Team morale is excellent and as a result we find ourselves well placed in both evening leagues.

The Wilts squad currently holds a very creditable 6th position with every chance of a top 5 place at the end of the season.

The S&D squad sit at the top of the table having played 11 and won 11. The second half of the season will be an even bigger challenge, but we now have the momentum to go on and win the league for the first time in our history.

A special mention for those who have represented the club in the County Middleton Cup team and also in the South West Counties squads, Paul Stokes, Richard Young and Kevin Carter who is also in the Green keepers Final. This is a tremendous achievement and demonstrates what a small club, with average bowlers, is capable of when everyone is working as a team. We have produced an England  player in the past (Neil Hope) and we certainly have the potential to do it again.

Well done and thank you to eveyone in the Men’s section and good luck for the rest of the season in whatever competitions you may have entered.

Gordon

Already half way through this month which hails the start of the Captain’s monthly challenge for both S&D and Wilts league matches. The winning team of each league will be that which has amassed the most points over the month (points will be awarded according  to predefined criteria). Each member of that team will receive the much coveted and sought after CAPTAINS PEN.

Below is the latest official S&D League 1 Table.

This table reflects one of our best starts in the S&D campaign for many a season. There is an additional result not included in the above and that is the 12-2 win we recorded against Wootton Bassett ‘A’ on Thursday 13th May.

Well done everyone.

Gordon.

The Club invites visitors to its Open Day on Sunday 23rd May, from around 10:30am to 2:30pm.

If you haven’t visited the Club before, or if it’s been a while since you last visited, why not come along to take a look at the Club – members will be pleased to see you and show you around.

If you’d like to try your hand at bowling, the Club’s qualified coaches will also be on hand to give you a ‘taster’ bowling session.

Of course, you don’t have to bowl to be a member of Highworth Bowls Club. Our clubhouse and bar is open throughout the year for our social and bowling members – and new members are welcome.

Members – if you have friends, relatives or neighbours who’d enjoy Club membership, please bring them along on the day.

What a brilliant start to the new season we have had. On Tuesday 27 April we made our annual pilgrimage to Rodbourne Cheney to play our opening match of the 2010 S&D campaign. Always a difficult opening fixture and unfortunately one that we rarely manage to win, regarding any points as a bonus. It seemed as if history would repeat itself yet again with Highworth looking at best to secure 4 points. Then after 15 ends Highworth found themselves up on 3 rinks and just 6 shots down overall. Suddenly the possibility was there for a rare victory. The remainder of the match was a tense affair but Highworth managed to keep their nerve and came out the victors by 84 shots to 76. More significantly 12-2 Highworth!

Thursday 29 April and we were facing our 2nd  S&D match within the week again a tough one against Wroughton, this time a home fixture.  The weather being poor the Captains agreed no trial ends with just one shot to be scored from  each of the first 2 ends. Buoyed up from Tuesdays result Highworth quickly took the lead on all 4 rinks. Wroughton however did begin to make a comeback towards the end of the game, but Highworth managed to  remain in control , eventually winning  the match 96 -55 shots. 14 -0 Highworth. Two games played  26 league points.

Well done everyone!

Gordon.

Some pre-season dates for your diaries..

Sunday 21st March, 10:00 am – Mens Spring Meeting
Sunday 28th March, 10:00 am – Ladies Spring Meeting
Weekend of 10-11 April and weekend of 17-18 Apr – Work Parties – all help is welcomed to help prepare the green and grounds for the new season
Wednesday 14th April, 7:00 pm – Club Spring Meeting
Saturday 17th April, 3:30 pm – Opening of the Green