Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Youngsters rise to the challenge
Oyster Earl Spencer Trophy retained Chislet
Youngsters from the Oyster Indoor Bowls Club grabbed the chance to get some experience on grass after issuing a challenge to Whitstable’s outdoor bowlers last Wednesday.
The youngsters, all accomplished indoor players, threw down the gauntlet to Whitstable’s outdoor fraternity by challenging them to a game on home territory at the Castle greens.
Around 30 youngsters aged between nine and 16 came along with Barbara and John New – their coach at the Oyster – for a contest which comprised six triples.
Each triple consisted of one adult and two youngsters playing opposite, with the players swapping over at half-time.
The game was meant to be non-competitive but both sides found it hard to contain their competitive instincts once it got under way.
Whitstable ladies’ captain Margaret Goodger said: “It was a super day in every way – the weather was perfect and the youngsters were keen and excited about playing on grass.
“They found the surface a bit different but soon got acclimatised.
“The Whitstable bowlers tried not to beat them but couldn’t resist the challenge, so although the youngsters were beaten, we didn’t bother with the scores and just gave a prize to the three youngsters who had the highest winning rink at the end.”
After the game, one of the youngsters Finian McLanaghan gave a thank you speech in which he suggested that Whitstable should come to the Oyster for a return match – an invitation the seniors may well take them up on.
Goodger added: “It is encouraging to older bowlers to see young people taking an interest in this sport that we have come to love and this was a great opportunity to enjoy this game.
“We are all looking forward to the next chance of a game together.”
Oyster IBC were 60-shot winners in their home match with Royal Tunbridge Wells. Oyster 156 Royal Tunbridge Wells 96: Ann Moon, Peter Gibson, John Day won 20-5; Linda Snook, Gordon Bourn, Sue Swan won 34-2; Doreen Masters, Pam Dennett, Fred Masters won 21-17; Keith Dennett, Margaret Dance, Janet Drewitt lost 24-16; Gloria Clark, Irene Godfrey, Eddie Swan won 29-12; John Snook, Pauline Payne, Jacqueline Harvey lost 17-11; Pam Bramley, Chris Appleton, Phil Scott-Martin won 17-8; Lynn Riches, Joan Thomason, David Appleton won 17-11. Chislet produced a fine performance in their annual challenge match against the Probus Association for the Earl Spencer Trophy. After winning the 2012 contest by a single shot, Chislet won by 51 shots against the group of retired business people. Chislet 121 Probus Association 70: Stan Knott, Dennis Hawkins, Howard Phillips won 29-10; Derek Trussell, Derek Sidaway, Bob Hill won 13-10; Jim Bellingham, Dave Gowing, Michael Tomassi won 20-7; Dave Cowley, Tony West, Colin Rogers won 21-18; Jack Cramp, Jim Harlow, Charlie Prentice won 23-10; Mike Holmes, Jonathan Goddard, Wilf Laughton lost 15-13. Chislet won four of the six triples played at Sellindge to win by 51 shots once again. Sellindge 91 Chislet 142: Jack Cramp, Jim Harlow, Val Philpott won 30-14; Tony Bailey, Tony West, Yvonne West lost 17-13; Mike Holmes, Marion Rigden, Charles Trevette lost 23-18; Jim Bellingham, Johnathan Goddard, Pat Rogers won 21-16; Colin Rogers, Dave Gowing, Molly Gowing won 31-13; Howard Phillips, Dennis Hawkins, June Bentley won 29-8. The week ended with a defeat for Chislet as they went down by 71 shots at Victoria Park. Victoria Park 146 Chislet 75: Derek Trussell, Dave Gowing, June Bentley lost 36-11; Jim Harlow, Brian Lucas, Val Philpott lost 19-10; Mike Holmes, Jonathan Goddard, WIlf Laughton lost 20-16; Dave Cowley, Tony West, Yvonne West won 20-19; Don Rouse, Dennis Hawkins, Molly Gowing lost 25-8; Colin Rogers, Charlie Prentice, Jean Trussell lost 27-10.