The Annual Bowls Tour

Another successful trip to Newmarket this year. Once again our party had a number of late drop outs due to injury and illness but we had 22 tourists in all including three new faces [ Gary and Carol Sullivan, and Phil Webb ]. It was particularly good that Graham Harper was able to come for the first two days. He prepared the score sheets for the tour aggregate [ which he has done for about the last hundred years ] and his presence on Monday and Tuesday meant that we were able to play 6 rinks instead of 5 for the first time in several years. The weather was kind to us again. We manged to play all matches in full and somehow dodged some very heavy showers at the end of the week.

 

Although the manager was absent with a broken ankle we were once again treated like celebrities at The Heath Court hotel. And although the menus were unchanged this year the food was generally thought to be better than ever.

 

We received the usual warm welcome from the clubs visited including Stretham who we visited for the first time [ replacing Chippenham in our schedule ]. The catering there and at Haddenham and Bottisham was excellent. The ladies of Haddenham in particular excelled themselves. There was enough delicious cake to sink a pocket battleship. And we had a free lunch at Bottisham sponsored by their senior member who at 91 also played in the match. Over the week we won 3 matches and lost 2 with an overall aggregate score of minus 1.

 

Match results were:

 

Isleham: Won 95-80

Fordham: Won 97-74

Haddenham: Lost 92-108

Stretham: Lost 70-106

Bottisham: Won 103-90

 

Totals: For 457 – Against 458

 

Bowler of the week was Marco D’Apice [ plus 29 shots – average + 6 ]

Best guess of the aggregate was Graham Harper with +7 ]

The quiz was won by the ‘Bays’ [Kevin Turner, Sue Hill, and Martin O’Leary]  Thanks are due to the drivers who ferried us to and from the clubs on most  days but particularly to Kevin Turner for organising the team selections and acting as ‘fines’ marshal. Also, to Graham Harper who again set up the aggregate score records, and the Hills who organised the raffle.

 

The tour has raised just over £1,000 towards club funds and, assuming continuing support from members, it is difficult to imagine going anywhere other than Newmarket again in 2026.

 

Michael Noble

 

Tour Manager