ON THE GREEN
Message from President Janet
I am delighted to be the New President for 2022 and, as is the tradition, sent the first wood onto the green on Friday 8th April to mark the start of the 2022 season.
It was marvellous to see the clubhouse packed with members meeting up after the long winter break, even more so because we’ve been unable to get the season off this way for two years because of the pandemic. I am looking forward to a full season of bowls with no nasty interruptions. It was also a poignant moment for me too as it was the 30th anniversary of my father’s death, John Scragg, a long-time member of the club and President in 1987. I felt sure he was smiling down and enjoying the moment.
Thank you to all those who have been working hard to prepare the club for the new season, including Ray Gregory and his Team for looking after the green through the winter, it is looking fantastic; Ray Wilkins and everyone who kindly came down to work with the Saturday Gang, we really do appreciate your efforts and everywhere is looking very smart; Rosemary Gregory and Sean Biollo for their work in the gardens, and Paul and Sue Murrant who have restored the club’s scoreboard which is now standing proud again. The club would not be the same without this scoreboard.
I urge you all to play as many matches as they can, as OBC, like all the clubs in the area, are desperate to get back to the status quo, and this can only be done when we have full teams for the planned matches. I would also encourage everyone to enter the Club Competitions and hope we will have a bumper entry this year. I urge our newer members not to be nervous about entering, as competitions are the best way to learn and improve your bowls. There have been many a surprising result out on the green and as they say ‘it’s all on the day’.
The online rink booking system will continue this year, and you will be able to nominate your rink this time. Thank you to Bob Spence for his time and expertise in running the website.
Chummies this year will be Wednesday and Sunday mornings from 10am. If you have any questions about these please contact Rosemary Gregory or Keith Hart.
I am really looking forward to my presidential year. I wish everyone a fantastic season and look forward to meeting you on the green.
Friendly Fixtures Survey
Thank you for the excellent response to Alan’s recent survey concerning Friendly fixtures. Not quite 100% response, but very close. The answers have all be collated now and were discussed at last week’s Executive Committee meeting. We plan to have a Members’ meeting at the end of August when the bowling diary is less congested, to discuss our proposals. But, in the meantime, these proposals are:
Thursday Mixed Interclub Friendly matches: Keep as they are. Advise opposition that we will be playing with mixed teams.
Saturday Mixed Interclub Friendly matches: We will not cancel the remaining fixtures this year, and play as many as we can, if we can get a team. Advise opposition that we will be playing with mixed teams. For next season we propose to consider cutting down the fixtures and playing only those clubs we have a good relationship with. Maybe only playing on a Saturday every 3 weeks or so. However, there must be the opportunity for members to play on Saturdays if they wish. Although only 9 members have committed to play on a Saturday on a regular basis. This will then free up Saturdays for other things, e.g. playing of club comps.
Ladies’ Interclub Friendly matches: We will not cancel the remaining fixtures and will see how it goes for next season. Whether or not other clubs will in fact have enough ladies to play these matches remains to be seen.
Sunday Mixed Interclub Friendly matches: There appears to be no problem getting a team for these fixtures. They will stay as they are.
One other question you might like to consider before the August meeting. Do you prefer to play in the daytime or in the evening?
Please do continue to put your names down for as many matches as you can. Ladies, why not try the Thursday and Saturday games for a change? I have thoroughly enjoyed my games this year. They are friendly, competitive and fun.
Also, at the August meeting we will consider the dress code for next season. Do we stick to Whites for our home matches or switch to Greys?
Oakham Bowls Club Update W.E. 26. 06.2022
On Wednesday Oakham played a Melton Triples League match away at Market Overton.
On rink one the lead was Mary Smith, Graham Cole at two and Ray Gregory Skip. Honours were fairly even over the first seven ends but then the home team took control of the game and forged ahead. Oakham only managed to win two of the remaining fourteen ends which resulted in a win for Market Overton with 26 shots to Oakham’s11
Denis Smith skipped the Oakham trio on rink two. Barrie Payne leading and Alan Jones at two. Oakham won the first end but a six for the Home team on the second end set the scene for the rest of the game. .After fourteen ends Market Overton lead by 19 shots to Oakham’s 7. The visitors held them at that score for the final four ends but the deficit was too great to make up. Final score Market Overton 19 shots, Oakham 12.
Success for Oakham on rink three . Graham Scothern was lead, Reg Wadsworth at two and Ian Wilkinson as Skip. Oakham were comfortably in control of the game from the outset. However 6 shots for Marco at thirteen ends followed by a 2 gave them a 1 shot lead. Ends fifteen and sixteen went Oakhams way and although Marco won the last two ends Oakham took the tie holding 18 shots to Market Overton’s 15
Market Overton won with 60 shots to Oakham’s 41
The Thursday team played Syston at the Vale on Thursday afternoon for third and final time this season. The previous two matches were won by Oakham and they completed the set with a third win.
Rink one saw a welcome return to Julie Healey as lead, Graham Scothern at two and Chris Wallis as Skip. By the ninth end Syston had built a commanding lead. Oakham then mounted a determined fightback and were doing well until Syston scored 5 shots on the fourteenth end, creating a lead that won them the game. Final score was Oakham 17 shots, Syston 22
Denis Smith skipped rink three with Bob Swarbrick as lead, Anne Preston-Bambridge at two and Bob Hammond at three. Syston established an early lead and by end twelve they held a 7 shot advantage.At this juncture Denis rallied his team and won each of the remaining six ends with a final score of 20 shots to Syston’s 16.
Another good win for Oakham on rink five was achieved by Skip Bob Spence, Ros Carter as lead and Gail Robertson at two. They dominated the game for the first nine ends and it was the tenth end before Syston scored a single shot. By then Oakham were 16 shots in front
and despite Syston winning five of the remaining eight ends Oakham took her honoursfinishing with 20 shots to Systons 10.
Final result was Oakham 57 shots Syston 48 shots.
Last played in 2019 the first match of two match series OK Trophy between Oakham and
Keyworth took place at the Vale on Saturday afternoon. Now in it’s twentieth year current holders Oakham have won the trophy 10 times to Keyworths 7
Rink one was a doubles match with Mike Shalders and Chris Wallis representing Oakham.
Oakham had ‘loaned’ one of their own, Ann Newton, to Keyworth. Ann played an excellent game for the opposition and with her partner dominated the tie. A win for Keyworth with 19 shots to Oakham’s 9
Mary Smith, Graham Scothern and Skip Gail Robertson played on rink two. By the seventh end Oakham held a comfortable lead. However Keyworth fought back and with three ends to play the game was tied. Oakham regained the initiative winning two of the remaining ends finishing with 20 shots to Keyworths 15
Ray Gregory skipped on rink three with Barrie Payne as lead and Maureen Douglas at two. This was a fairly even game until Oakham scored 6 shots on the ninth end. They continued to score well and winning with 23 shots to Keyworths 11
A reversal of fortunes on rink four. Peter Harrison was lead, Anne Preston- Bambridge at two
and Match Captain Alan Jones as Skip. The game was evenly balanced for the first seven ends but 4 shots on the eighth followed by 5 on the ninth for Keyworth gave them a lead which despite Oakham’s efforts they couldn’t close Result was Oakham 14 shots Keyworth 19
Rink five had Julie Healey as lead, Ros Carter at two and Denis Smith as Skip. Oakham were soon in control with five shots on the third end followed by 4 on the fourth. Although the Keyworth team played well Oakham retained the lead finishing with 19 shots to Keyworths 13.
Skip Bob Hammond with Rosemary Gregory as lead and Bob Swarbrick at two had a shaky start to their game having only scored 1 shot to Keyworths 5 after the first six ends.
Then on the seventh Oakham scored a remarkable 9 shots – a Hot Shot! They continued to increase their lead completing the game with 25 shots to Keyworths 11
An enjoyable and entertaining afternoon finished with Oakham winning with 110 shots to Keyworths 88. Oakham now carry forward a lead of 22 shots to the final and deciding match at Keyworth on August 20th.
The twice weekly chummys continue to be well attended. Wednesday’s game was terminated early due to the very hot conditions. It was won by Pat, a remarkable achievement for her first ever lawn green game! A blustery Sunday morning saw four new bowlers at the Vale with Monty taking the honours.
CLUB COMPETITION DRAW 2022
SHEETS WILL BE ON THE BOARDS ON TUESDAY 3rd MAY.
PLEASE WATCH OUT FOR THE PLAY BY DATES.
DRESS CODE IS GREYS AND CLUB SHIRTS FOR ALL THESE MATCHES PLEASE, INCLUDING THE MARKER.
LADIES’ 4 WOOD
JACKIE COLE v ROSEMARY GREGORY
WINNER PLAYS – JANET HORWOOD
ANNE PRESTON BAMBRIDGE v KAY JONES
BERYL BIRCH v ROS CARTER
MAUREEN DOUGLAS v CAROL SCOTHERN
LADIES’ 2 WOOD
MARY SMITH v JANET HORWOOD
HAZEL JEFFERY v JULIE HEALEY
MAUREEN DOUGLAS v ROS CARTER
ANNE PRESTON BAMBRIDGE v ROSEMARY GREGORY
MEN’S 4 WOOD
PETER GRAINGER v BILL JONES
GRAHAM COLE v STUART PRIMAROLO
ADRIAN WILKINSON v BARRIE PAYNE, winner of this match will play –
RAY GREGORY
RICK TARLETON v PAUL JENKINSON
PAUL MURRANT v CHRIS WALLIS
NORMAN COVILLE v IAN WILKINSON
MATT MURRANT v BOB SPENCE
RAY WILKINS v DENIS SMITH
GAIL ROBERTSON v GRAHAM SCOTHERN
MEN’S 2 WOOD
NORMAN COVILLE v CLIVE MORRIS
RICK TARLETON v GRAHAM SCOTHERN
IAN WILKINSON v PAUL MURRANT
KEITH HART v MATT MURRANT
BOB SPENCE v BARRIE PAYNE
ADRIAN WILKINSON v RAY WILKINS
MEN’S PAIRS
BILL JONES & RAY GREGORY v IAN WILKINSON & RICK TARLETON.
Winner of this match will play –
ADRIAN WILKINSON & DENIS SMITH
SEAN BIOLLO & GRAHAM COLE v STUART PRIMAROLO & MATT MURRANT
RAY WILKINS & PAUL MURRANT v BARRIE PAYNE & CHRIS WALLIS
PAUL JENKINSON & GAIL ROBERTSON v GRAHAM SCOTHERN & BOB SPENCE
MEN’S HANDICAP
RAY GREGORY (-4) v BILL JONES
MATT MURRANT (-4) v RAY WILKINS (-1)
PAUL MURRANT (-4) v KEITH HART
BARRIE PAYNE (-4) v PAUL JENKINSON
BOB SPENCE (-4) v SEAN BIOLLO
RICK TARLTON (-1) v ADRIAN WILKINSON
GRAHAM SCOTHERN (-1) v STUART PRIMAROLO (The winner of this match will play – NORMAN COVILLE
RUTLAND CUP
RAY GREGORY v GRAHAM SCOTHERN
KEITH HART v GRAHAM COLE
PAUL MURRANT v MATT MURRANT
BOB SPENCE v RAY WILKINS
RICK TARLETON v BARRIE PAYNE
JANET HORWOOD v GAIL ROBERTSON
IAN MACLEAN v BERYL BIRCH
IAN WILKINSON v ADRIAN WILKINSON
MAUREEN DOUGLAS v NORMAN COVILLE
MIXED NOVICE
KEITH HART v STUART PRIMAROLO
DEREK HARPER v ADRIAN WILKINSON
CAROL SCOTHERN v BILL JONES
SEAN BIOLLO v IAN MACLEAN
DAVID MORGAN v JACKIE COLE
