FROM OFF THE MAT
A round up of match reports and news
The ladies then took themselves off to Florence Park angling to win an afternoon
series of more triples. They discovered they were the fisherman's friend with 6lshots
and two wins against opponents who, with only one success, appeared small fry on
39. Making the most of a well-lit evening we hosted a mixed five-rinker friendly
with Witney Town. Wispa it quietly! Town's wagon wheels came off. A very productive
four rinks went our way for a sixteen shot difference, 76-60. The working week ended
with a select gathering of Hanborough faithful joining together in having an enjoyable
evening of chat, bowls and a fish and chip supper. Another indication of what makes
this .club tick so well. Next up was our man from Mars, Singles winner Graham Haynes,
hoping to ruffle a few feathers at the Champion of Champions event. Graham felt he
played well enough but, as we all know, if its your day, fine. Unfortunately it wasn't
Graham's, but all good experience for an undoubted quality player.
It takes all sorts to make a full packet and so, on the occasion of our visit to
West Witney, we required the services of a triple of their players to provide a few
hard centres. A wonderful afternoon of sunshine and fellowship on which, with a little
help from our friends, we avoided being the suckers and finished 98-88 to the good.
For the first ever time, we were visited by Porter (Bradwell) and very welcome visitors
they were too. It was clearly a game of two halves as, after the break for refreshment,
luck completely changed sides. Fortune from the odd wick and click proved fickle
but, in the main, we were the better snickers in a 3-1 rink win (86-81). Kidlington
ladies came and offered up a challenge. They managed to win two triples out of three
but that was mere candy floss as our poppets took this friendly 44-37. It was no
milky way for Hanborough's first taste of the West Ox Short Mat League, more a bar
of fruit and nut. The evening bore no fruit as North Leigh turned out to be a hard
nut to crack. Like a band of bounty hunters.
This season of bowls has been, for those old enough to remember, like a playback
of 'Semprini Serenade' 'old
ones, new ones, loved ones, neglected ones' Perhaps too, for some, it might have
seemed like a pick and mix selection of delectables from the sweetshop counter. At
the time of beginning this report some few remained waiting to be unwrapped and enjoyed.
One choice item, not quite at the bottom of the bag, was our annual Triples Challenge
Cup. A galaxy of local bowling talent arrived early one afternoon eager to participate
in a ten-team diversion of friendly competition. After the event and after a refresher
or two, the winners were announced. Helen Taylor, Ken Williams and Martin Oliver
were the smarties on 24 points, a couple of bullseyes ahead of Colin Haley, Pauline
Williams and John Edwards, on a day when no-one had need to don a mackintosh. On
the same afternoon, a dolly mixture of Marion Kelly, Anne Hale, Hazel Oliver and
Ann Spearman played for the ram Empson Trophy over at Charlbury. From the twelve-team
field they reached the final only to fudge it against a Witney Town four. Our ladies
down at West Oxford for a mid-week triples lost two but, with a mint performance
on the other (19-7), they shaded the friendly match 48-43. After eight, with light
fading, it was agreed to limit the evening to fifteen ends.
As is the habit in recent years Hanborough hosted the Men's League Cup final once
again. As always, Hanborough's contribution made this a most successful evening with
City and County sporting the heroes' crown. There followed an eventful trip to Abingdon
for a mixed friendly five-rinker. There was nothing really to choose twix the two
teams, the match ending 109 shots apiece, but the oustanding feature was the eight
shot 'hot shot' scored by our Michael Howard, Helen Taylor, Gordon Parsloe and Ken
Williams. It was roses without the thorns on Sunday, as the ladies had their own
day. All tucked into a luscious lunch of salmon, pork, pavlova and tipples before
rousing themselves for a triple of triples. Although Lisa Williams, Marion Kelly
and Ann Spearman were no marshmallow pushovers, Helen Taylor, Pauline Williams and
Kitty Oliver took the victory plaudits with justifiable celebrations. Non-stop quicksilver
Helen again? A pace that launched a thousand hips ... hooray!
Charlbury later descended upon Hanborough, hopeful of an outdoor reward from a four-rink
mixed friendly, but they had to settle for a simple sherbet or two after losing by
three shots at 68-65. On then to meet Watlington for our last carded match at home.
Sadly our team had the consistency of a fluffY meringue with just a solitary cherry
on top as we lost four triples out of the five. Never mind, it was a most enjoyable
way to bring another highly satisfying outdoor season to an end.
The lifeblood of any club flows through the veins of the mixed friendlies and it
is pleasing to report that of the forty three matches played, Hanborough won thirty,
drew four and lost a mere nine. The enthusiasm of the many makers and shakers, lifters
and shifters at this family club has carried us along a most happy road. They know
who they are and our thanks heartily go to each and everyone of them. All that remained
was President's Day.
The weather was superb. On the green there was roisterous fun. The President's Trophy
went to a worthy winner, Alan Hamer, and the evening was made all the more magnificent
by a meal which beguiled the most demanding palate. Congratulations to John Edwards
to whom go our thanks for stepping into the breach and our customary, yet totally
deserved, plaudits go to our ladies who put the icing on Hanborough's well-spiced
cake that day.
