Pulborough players compete for Mike Wood Memorial Cup

Club roll-ups at Pulborough every Monday and Friday evenings helped the players prepare for their first away match of the season at Beach House Park in Worthing. Fve triples played 18 ends of competitive bowls on a damp, but otherwise good quality green.

Of the five triples, three were victorious, with Jane Gray's team of Sylvia Smith and Christian Bushell taking it right to the wire, winning by just one shot on the last end 17/16.

Captain John Brown, with Alfie Fuller as Lead and Ian Younger as 2, scored a near hotshot of 8 shots on the 6th end to double their score and catapult them into an insurmountable lead, finally winning by 27-12, but Top Rink went to Steve Adsett, James Barber and Jacob Pells, who won 14/18 ends, consistently scoring 2 or 3 shots an end to finish on an impressive 25-6! Pulborough took the overall win by 78-68!

Sunday saw the return of the Mike Wood Memorial Cup in memory of past player, President and Committee member Mike, who was represented on the day by his widow Anne Wood.

Six triples took to an increasingly fast green at Pulborough to play two sets of nine ends on different rinks against different opponents.

After the first session Jane Gray's team of Cristian Bushell and Nicola Pells held the top spot on +8 shots, but a subsequent fall from grace saw John Brown's team of Sylvia Smith and Melvin Green win their second session by 18-4, giving them the Mike Wood silver trophy, which was presented on the green by Anne, a past member of Pulborough Bowls Club.

Pulborough will play Stedham away on Friday afternoon and Henfield at home on Sunday (May 4) – spectators are always welcome.

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BILLINGSHURST

For the first game of the season, Billingshurst Bowling Club travelled to Crawley to play The Downsman BC.

Over the years this first match of the season has always been a very close and tight affair, with each team taking the honours by only a few shots.

On a cloudy but warm afternoon and on a slow lush green, both sides struggled a little with line and length. The tea interval was quickly reached with the home side holding a slender lead of five shots.

The break suited the visitors who after resuming secured a six, a brace of fours and several threes to run out worthy winners by 77-55.

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SOUTHWATER

Southwater bowlers have had two big wins, the first against local friends with a win on all triples giving a score of 89-57.

Best triple was Jackie Merchant, Cliff Merchant and Kevin Lewis (29-13) with Dee Blanchard, David Kent and Mike Skipp (28-14), Mair Williams, Richard Harris and John Borasinski (28-14) and Frank Newell, Sue Lewis and Tim Gabdewr (13-12) backing up.

At home to Crawley Town all four triples were won with a result of 102-50.

Top triple was Sue Jones, Mike Jones and Peter Curd (27-8) with Debbie Cosham, Ian Cribb and Judith Hitchman (31-15), Vanessa, John Curlewis and Alan Parker (24-14) and Jean Meinertzhagen, Annie Anderson and Les Andrews (24-11) backing up.

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HORSHAM

Horsham Bowling Club started their outdoor season on the green by holding their club drive.

This was preceded by the traditional spider which was won by Dave Goodman. There was a mixture of rinks and triples.

The winning rink was skipped by Martin Jolliffe, ably assisted by Anne Hossack and Alan Pestell. It was a pleasant afternoon with warm, dry weather.

There are a lot of friendly fixtures planned along with County and National Competitions throughout the season.

They will be holding an Open Day on Saturday, May 24, in line with the Bowls England Bowls Big Weekend. If you’d like to come along and try your hand at bowling the green will be open between 11am and 2pm, next to the Tythe Barn.