Graft at Graffham is not enough for win
Back-to-back friendlies kept Pulborough players busy midweek. And there’s been action at Southwater BC, Billingshurst BC and Horsham BC – all of which is rounded up here.
PULBOROUGH
The first of two friendlies was against their friends at Graffham BC in the glorious Sussex countryside.
Three triples played, but home advantage was key to the final result of 54-37 to Graffham.
Top rink for Pulborough went to skip Malcolm Gray, with Christian Bushell as lead and Paul Smith as two, after a slow start followed by some heavy scoring from the 14th end resulted in a 21-10 win.
Next up was a trip to Sutton on a much-improved green.
Again, three triples played, but the away side found the pace more to their liking taking the overall result by 46-39.
Pulborough’s top rink went to captain John Brown, with Jane Gray as lead and Ray Knight as two, after leading from the start against some tough opposition.
The candle-lit supper that followed put many clubs to shame in the post-Covid bowls world.
County success came when Jane Gray reached her first area quarter-final in the Ladies Unbadged four-wood singles, after beating a player from Crablands on her own green.
The Pulborough men, however, had less success in their match at Crablands in the West Sussex League the following day, but still came away with two additional League points to add to their tally.
Top rink went to Steve Adsett, with Mick and Martyn Ralph and Ian Younger, by 21-16.
Sunday saw the return of Pulborough’s Cliff Stratton Memorial Cup.
Six triples, one of which comprised of Adey and Kyle Stratton and Nadine, played 18 ends of bowls with Jane Gray, Terry Chriss and Brian Maughan coming out on top with a shot difference of +21.
All proceeds from the raffle were donated to MacMillan. More than £50 was raised on the day.
SOUTHWATER
Southwater Bowls Club had a good win in the Mid Sussex League, beating Nutley and gaining eight points to Nutley's two.
Best rink was Jean Meinertzhagen , Peter Curd, Martin Hargrave and Tim Gander (28-10) with Tony Woodard, Cliff Merchant, Mike Skipp and Judith Hitchman (23-11).
However away to Norfolk the match was lost 54-69. Two of the four triples won.
They were Dee Blanchard, Martin Hargrave and Cliff Merchant (21-11) and Jackie Merchant, John Fiander and Tim Gander (13-12).
Away to Arundel a win was achieved of 75-67 with three winning rinks.
Jinny Fiander, Ian Cribb, Terry Rowell and Tim Gander (25-11) with Sue Jones, John Borasinski, John Fiander and Tony Woodard(19-17) and Frank Newell, Maier Williams, Jenny Haysom and Cliff Merchant (20-18).
BILLINGSHURST
Billingshurst BC’s successful season continued with another two victories.
Of 12 games played, they have won 10 and drawn one – losing only once.
Billingshurst 52 Graffham 32
Billingshurst played the first of two home matches in a week aiming to stretch their unbeaten record.
First up was Graffham in a most enjoyable game played in good spirit and friendship.
Billingshurst ran out winners by some 20 shots.
Scores: Marion Clark, Barry Gilbert, Alan Readshaw (D) 15-15, Ken Peters, Carole Neal, Pete Scott (W) 19-10, top rink Sonia Redman, Alan Knight, Ray Neal (W) 18-5.
Billingshurst 88 Handcross 43
Billingshurst's super season continued with Handcross coming up against a very in-form home team.
With their eighth consecutive win, Hurst’s 90th anniversary year is certainly looking to be one to remember.
With three fives and an eight recorded, Billingshurst were far too strong for the visitors. They ended up running out worthy winners by some 45 shots.
Scores: Eddie Stevenson, Chris Laker, Ray Neal (L) 15-19, Roger Moore, Betty Weller, Robert Dakin, (W) 158, Adel Freeman (debut), Carole Neal, Pete Scott (W) 19-10, top rink Hazel Sandford, Barry Gilbert, Geoff Weller (W) 39-6.
HORSHAM BC
Last week was a quiet one for Horsham Bowling Club with just one away fixture at Adastra on Wednesday afternoon.
This was a match that consisted of four triples.
Played in a very friendly atmosphere, the scores were very close throughout the match.
Horsham were the eventual victors by eight shots, winning 61-53.
The top rink for Horsham was led by Robbie Calder with Wendy Smith and Dennis Masini, and they won 199.
There was plenty of green action though, as many members are involved in key competitions.
There is still a full programme to come as the season continues.
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