Competition hotting up on the green
BOWLING has begun in earnest at Queensgate Bowling Club in Bramhall. Members, keen to test their skills on the green after a lean couple of years, have enjoyed the renaissance of regular social bowling as the green opened for the 2022 summer season.
Two very popular events occurred recently, when Queensgate hosted Cheadle Bowls Club.
Previously keenly fought fixtures between the clubs occured each year, and they were revived this season with no dimming of enthusiasm or determination.
Tuesday was the turn of the men’s teams to test their skills.
For some bowlers it was the first competitive match of the season; for others it was the opportunity to test out match play for the first time.
Bramhall Queensgate men’s team captain for their friendly annual match, Gordon Kempster, commented: “To be bowling again is excellent, but to be in competition with another local club is a resurgence of the challenges we all enjoy on the green.
“To have the green busy with four pairs in action, all eagerly determined to score at every end, was rewarding indeed, even in the rain,” added Queensgate team mate Hugh Mcglasson.
His fellow Queensgate bowler Graham Porter said: “Today, I’ve found that the green is bowling very true.
“Mind you, I’m not sure that helped my game.
“I just need a few more practice or social games under my belt as it is still very early in the season.
“But this type of event really helps my focus to play well. And provides good experience of competitive match play.”
Cheadle men’s bowler David Burns, expressed appreciation and approval for the return of this local derby.
He commented: “We are enjoying being back on this green, which is always a fine venue for a match.”
The lady members of both clubs faced each other on the green on Friday in their annual competition under gloriously sunny spring skies. Queensgate bowler Judy Boyd enthused: “I am enjoying this experience against some strong Cheadle opposition.
“With my match partners we scored well today on a green that is both looking splendid and playing superbly.”
Her fellow Queensgate bowler, Eileen Pemberton, added: “I reckon I am capitalising on my green knowledge, to play better than I anticipated at this stage of the season!”
Cheadle captain, Gillian Johnson noted that her team were delighted to be bowling at Queensgate again.
“Playing pairs is ideal at this stage of a season,” she said.
“As we can discuss our tactics and work out the best delivery each end.”
She wryly added that the scheduled return matches for both teams at Cheadle were already a talking point.
The matches ended with a victory in the men’s contest for Bramhall Queensgate, 96 points to 59; and in the ladies match, Cheadle achieved a win by a narrow margin of just 3 points, with the scores 98 to 95.
Yet the real victory was that friendlies were again taking place between 2 local bowls clubs in the glorious Queensgate setting, events which have spanned well over 70 years.