Shoreham's bowlers make a promising start to their winter indoor season

With the 2026 sultry summer outdoor season now a distant memory, Shoreham's bowlers have made an encouraging start to their winter indoor season.

On 3rd October Shoreham BC played their final match of the outdoor season on Portslade's artificial green. They were beaten on four of the five rinks and bowling in their winning rink were Barbara Velardo, Dave Clevett and Skip, Suzie Warley.

Eight of Shoreham's bowlers have joined an indoor league for members of outdoor clubs. The matches are played on Thursday afternoons through the winter months on a weekly basis at Worthing Indoor Bowling Club in Goring. Nine teams including Shoreham are participating in the league and each week, the clubs plays a one rink match in the Fours format. Shoreham's first league match was played on 8th October against Maltravers BC. One member of Shoreham's team was unable to play in the match so Marion Hoggen, Dave Hoggen and Skip, Phil Hillsden, played against four bowlers from Maltravers. Under the rules of the league, this meant the club were  playing with a total of six bowls and their opposition were playing with a total of eight bowls. Another rule of the league dictates that if a bowler is not a member of an indoor bowling club, the club they are playing for receives a 2 shot head start (handicap). Maltravers had three bowlers eligible for the handicap so before the match had even commenced, Shoreham were 0 - 6 down and had two less bowls each end than their opponents had! Despite their handicap, Marion Hoggen, Dave Hoggen and Skip, Phil Hillsden went on to win the match for Shoreham by a score of  21 - 13.

On 9th October, Shoreham played the first of their Friday afternoon weekly friendly matches at Adur IBC. They played against a strong Southwick team and were beaten 72 - 47. Bowling in Shoreham's only winning rink were, Malcolm Beer, Hilary Leggett, Suzie Warley and Skip, Roy Webb.

The following Thursday, Shoreham played their second match in the Indoor/Outdoor Clubs League at Goring. Despite starting the match  0 - 6 down due to the handicap rule, they beat Worthing BC 27 - 14. Bowling for Shoreham in this match were Barbara Velardo, Steve Fuller, Brian Bulmer and Skip, Phil Hillsden.

The following day, there was a very close 55 – 53  victory for Shoreham against the Robin’s Reliants team at Adur IBC. Bowling in Shoreham's winning rinks were; Jenny Hughes, David Bowden, Mike Watts & Skip, Bob Page;  Malcolm Beer, Steve Fuller, Trevor Langrish & Skip,  David Goodman.

On October 22nd, Shoreham  played their  third match in the Indoor/Outdoor Clubs League at Worthing IBC in Goring. Marion Hoggen, Brenda Page, Dave Page and Skip, Dave Hoggen played against a strong Tarring Priory team and Shoreham  received a four shots handicap because all four of the Tarring bowlers are members of Worthing IBC. It was a very close and exciting match which finished as a 14 - 14 draw. This result means Shoreham are currently top of the league due to a superior shot difference than second place Tarring currently have.

The following day, the club played a friendly match against Worthing Indoor Bowling Club. Shoreham won on three of the four rinks and the final score was 81 - 43 in Shoreham's favour. Bowling in their winning rinks were; Barbara Velardo, Paul Harding, Bob Page and Skip, Dave Hoggen;  Marion Hoggen, Trevor Langrish, Brian Bulmer and Skip, Phil Hillsden;  Ian Stainsby, Anne Witney, Ann Stainsby & skip Roy Webb.

If you are interested in joining Shoreham Bowling Club, please contact Jane Bowen on 07505 838848.