Sunday lunch 3rd March 2024

Over 30 members sat down in the Clubhouse for a beautiful Sunday roast, cooked by Sam.  Finishing off with coffee and After Eight mints, everybody left very full and looking forward to a relaxing afternoon.

Quiz Night Saturday 27th January 2024

54 members and friends had an enjoyable evening at this years quiz night.  The evening started with fish and chips or options.  Once the food was cleared away the 7 teams got down to answering 8 rounds of questions plus a table round.  The final score was very close with only 3 points separating the top three teams.

Happy New Year it's 2024

Finals Day 16th September

On a very sunny and hot day the Finals Day was a very joyous day with excellent bowls and refreshments. There were many spectators supporting their friends, family members and other members. View the winners and finalists here.

September 15th - Belle Trophy final at Bellingham

Our ladies played the Belle Trophy final at Bellingham this afternoon against Bromley Town. The competition is made up from a singles game, a pairs game, a triples game and a rink game with the best total score winning the trophy. It is wonderful to report that our ladies won the trophy, well done to all the team.

August 26th - Captain's Day

A great afternoon well organised by Gail & John Barnes with a wonderful tea and the weather held out, just!!! Hopefully a good sum was raised for this years charities, Mind / Alzheimer Research.

Club / County Updates

The National Finals are now finished at Leamington, see the daily schedule with this link and the schedule of winners at this link.

AFTER A GREAT START BY KENT WINNING 3 OF THE 7 TITLES ON THE FIRST FINALS DAY THEY HAVE NOT GOT TO A FINAL SINCE. HOWEVER APPLEYARD B.C. HAVE GOT TO BOTH SEMI-FINALS IN THE MEN'S AND LADIES TOP CLUB. UNFORTUNATELY THE LADIES LOST VERY NARROWLY BUT THE MEN WON TAKING KENT'S TITLES TO 4.

 ( see our New & Info / County News for reports on the matches.)

You can watch all games on the internet, follow link to: bowlsengland.com/bowlstv

A recommendation from Paul Patten: Watch the recorded Men's Pairs final from 15th August

in Paul's opinion it was one of the best games he has ever seen.

President's Day

Our President, Bill Mewis, has had to cancel President's Day this year on 8th September. Bill is due for an operation on 25th August which should get him fully on the road to recovery. We all wish him well. 

The Belle Trophy

Congratulations to our Ladies who beat Eltham Ladies this morning in the semi-finals of the Belle Trophy

at Bromley B.C. as the neutral green. They will now play in the final at Bellingham on Friday 15th September.

GAME 18 AWAY BETHLEM

We travelled the short distance to BETHLEM …..a nice place to go & play the last game of the season.Nothing at stake , no pressure not like 2 seasons ago where we had to get enough points to win the title. Over the last few seasons the green has improved
& today the green was adequate (I think that’s the right word ) adequate ?? BETHLEM is in a nice setting ..BEAUTIFUL TALL TREES all round the green… parakeets in the trees….where you sit on the bench’s at the side on the green they have added this giant tyre with beautiful flowers in it . I forgot to ask how big was the lorry to have a tyre THAT BIG…….VERY IMPRESSIVE. The only downside ….NO CAR PARK you have to park between those beautiful trees. The only answer would be to cut down some of those trees & put down concrete slabs …..I didn’t have the heart to mention that to Captain Michael. After the very hot days it was nice to play the match with clouds in the sky ( I think our Carol calls it overcast ) it was still 22 degrees.   Here are the results….like a lot of our games this season ANOTHER CLOSE MATCH

Rink 1. Les BENWELL, SIR PAUL PATTEN.Brian EDE.       WON 20- 15
Rink 2 David FIGG, BOMBER G. LANCASTER,M.WHITEHEADLost 15- 17
Rink 3 Paul ROLFE,Paul RISPOLI ,Dave SMITH             Lost 15- 16
Rink 4 Aura TANNA,John URIE, Graham CHAPMAN        WON. 21 - 15. B.W. R.
          W. W. 71shots.  POINTS 6.     Bethlem 63 shots. POINTS 4

Special Thanks to SIR PAUL who came off the bench when Ted Martin dropped out when he damaged his bowling hand ( SORRY HIS DRINKING HAND ) And ANOTHER Special Thanks to David FIGG came off the bench who replaced Tim Pearce ( was going to make his debut in LX ) who had to look after his wife. THANK YOU Captain Mike for your hospitality …..loved the silver teapots …also the biscuits were very good. Captain Mike I have spoken to a team of IRISH Workman …..they will give you a quote to knock down a few trees & concrete the area…….NO PAPERWORK …CASH ONLY. The W, W. management have given me the vote of confidence & extended my contract for another year ,after that I might be too old to carry on( if ROY at Palace can carry on why not ME )
The only thing they will change is my JOB DESCRIPTION….TO TEAM CARER…….WHY   ASK MR. URIE…….he will EXPLAIN
  Thank you everyone…….happy bowling Brian

GAME 17 ( only 1 more to go - away to Bethlem Royal Hospital)
 

HOME TO BLACKHEATH - Do you remember that catchy song ITS COMING HOME…ITS COMING HOME …we ALL know it never came HOME …The Lionesses & the men’s England football teams could not manage it…..we at West Wickham B. C. could not bring back the LX trophy back to our club AGAIN….I think I will change the words to that delightful catchy song….ITS NOT COMING HOME ..ITS NOT COMING HOME …the LX BOWLS TROPHY IS NOT COMING HOME…ITS NOT COMING HOME….stop it Brian..….lets get back to Wednesdays game with our friends from Blackheath….it’s always a competitive match with them…lots of banter & noise & drinking afterwards….head barman IAN …when I told him BLACKHEATH were in town….HIS EYES LIT UP….money,money,money….WHO SUNG THAT SONG?…..Back to the game….here are the scores…….

Rink 4 John Urie,Graham Lancaster,Malcolm Whitehead WON 41- 10.  B.W.R.
Rink 5 David Figg, Martin Salter,Graham Chapman.     WON 21- 20
Rink 6 Ted Martin ,Paul Patten, Brian Ede.            Lost.  14- 18
Rink 7 Martyn Grover,Mike Flaherty,Dave Smith.       Lost.  13 - 17
   W.W. 89 shots POINTS 6.  B.H 65 shots. POINTS 4

Thank you Martyn Grover who came off the BENCH only 2 hours before kick off to replace Paul Rispoli who had to pull out when
his wife Carol fell over while out running…………PAUL were you chasing Carol ?????  How many times has the BENCH come into play this season…always at the last moment I repeat ALWAYS AT THE LAST MINUTE if you want to know …..I WILL ASK MY STATS MAN
We only have 1 more L.X game this season away to BETHLEM nice place to finish I might stay there for a few days for a rest
  Thank you everyone.  Sorry I forgot THANK YOU LADIES …Paulette ,Sandra & my better half Christine for making those WONDERFUL cakes

GAME 16. QUEENS MEAD  AWAY - 4th CUP FINAL ….only 2 to go….that means only 2 match reports for you to read….will
you miss it ???             Arrived in the car park at QUEENS MEAD Bowls club…….…in Shortlands   Looks the same….No changes……no different…….still the same……..      ....sorry there is something different. At the entrance they have a notice at the entrance  gate inviting anyone walking by in the park to come into the club & try the game of bowls that’s good they are advertising for new members……....will have to ask Captain Brian ( nice name ) if the advertising is working & if they have picked up new bowlers….LETS HOPE SO. I am going to repeat myself again,my last visit here I did mention the wonderful scenery, next to the club , other side of the park YOU HAVE Loads of WONDERFUL tall trees & behind that …..I cannot be sure the new Premier Inn building in Bromley….If I am wrong I am sure my editor will put me right? It’s a pity there are so many cars parked everywhere this would be a great place to live , it has a village feel to it (like coney hall VILLAGE) you have the local pub round the corner,local shops,train station,& of course THE LOCAL BOWLS CLUB……..pity about ALL THESE CARS…maybe our wonderful Mayor Sadiq Khan WILL BAN ALL CARS COMING TO SHORTLANDS VILLAGE.     Walking into the clubhouse I was meet by QUEENSMEAD Captain ( who also looks the same….Captain Brian…….looking round the walls ….the same wonderful black & white team photos of years gone by…..no recent winning trophies….I repeat this is a typical old fashioned bowls club….this feels like going back in time 1911 when the club was established….LOVE THE CLUB & THE PEOPLE HERE….GREAT ATMOSPHERE ……    While doing the match scorecard with captain Brian…..I was trying to overhere from
QUEENS MEAD bowlers what match tactics they are going to use on US today………….. this is what I heard………B1..what time do we finish,I NEED TO GO TO SPECSAVERS at 5 …B2 ..SORRY CANNOT HEAR YOU I AM DEAF…B3…I CANNOT MEASURE ,CANNOT BEND DOWN….B4 ….CAPTAIN BRIAN ( not me ) IF WE ARE A PLAYER SHORT TODAY I CAN PLAY…Captain Brian ( not me ) YOU ARE IN THE TEAM ALREADY..YOU ARE PLAYING…..WONDERFUL PEOPLE & YOU GAVE US A VERY GOOD CLOSE GAME here are the results.
Rink 1 Mick Burch,G.Lancaster, M.Whitehead  Lost 15 - 16
Rink 2 Ted Martin, SIR Paul Patten, Brian Ede. WON 30 -12  B.W.R.(I repeat AGAIN )
Rink 3 Paul Rispoli, Mike Flaherty,Dave Smith. WON 19 - 12. Everyone had gone home when this game had finished …it was getting dark ….the longest match ever in the LX history.
Rink 4 Martyn Grover,Martin Salter,G. Chapman Lost 13 - 16      Q.M 56 Shots. 4 POINTS.     W.W. 77 shots 6 POINTS.

Thank you Captain Brian & QUEENSMEAD friends THANK YOU for your hospitality see you ALL next season ….HOPE YOU GET LOTS OF NEW MEMBERS who take up the game of bowls. After todays result I think the best we can hope for , will be the runners up spot we will know better when we play our last home game on the 30th against Blackheath
 Thank you everyone.       Brian    PS on our menu for our last home game will be our PRIZE WINNING HOMEMADE CAKES tell your family & friends plenty for EVERYONE …WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT FOR THIS LAST HOME GAME ….PUT IN YOUR DIARY 30th AUGUST 2pm START. WE STOP AT 9 ENDS TO EAT DELICIOUS WONDERFUL ( not from Lidls) BUT I REPEAT PRIZE WINNING HOMEMADE CAKES…..SEE YOU ON THE 30th…

London & Southern Counties Area C Finals

Richard Pickering unfortunately lost in the Area C Final of the London and Southern Counties Gold Badge Competition against Paul Buck of Bellingham B.C.

Also Alex Catherall lost in the Area C final of the Lonsdale Competition to Tony Wood from Old Coulsdon.

Alex beat players from Bromley, Met Police and Sidcup to reach this area final.

Kent Ladies Division 1  Finals

Congratulations to Eileen Pickering, Jeanette Whitehead ( both winning their Kent County badges) and Gail Barnes in winning the triples final yesterday at West Wickham beating Orpington Excelsior in a tense game winning 17-16, see link.  See photos

Unfortunately they lost both semi-finals at Ditton on the 15th July.

LX GAME 15.  CUP FINAL 3   LANGLEY AWAY
Due to Graham Evans funeral on Wednesday I had to bring this game forward to Monday,we only have 3 FINALS LEFT…….we need TO WIN WELL …..& the half dozen clubs just behind us have games in hand ………they need .to start losing. And clubs NOT in the MIX NOT TO GIVE THEIR GAMES AWAY
      so the clubs just behind us pick up 10 easy points
Anyway we travelled the short distance to Langley ( it brought back memories when Emma my daughter went to the school ) HOW ITS CHANGED
This week my FIRST BIG DECISION was nothing to do with tactics…..or the weather…… but standing in the car park…DO I HAVE TO PAY…..ON TOP OF THE PAYING MACHINE  …..NOTICE £100 FINE…I remember LANGLEYS Captain Ray saying to me when I had to
rearrange this match……IGNORE IT ….DONT HAVE TO PAY……....NOT SURE……Anyway coming round the corner WAS RAY ….he confirms DONT PAY…..IF I GET A TICKET I have your number Ray…….& I know WHERE YOU LIVE RAY……………… ……Anyway back to the game……here are the results…..by the way …the weather was good ,sunny ,warm……..no rain…………..HERE ARE THE RESULTS…Did I repeat myself ?
Rink 1 Paul Patten, Mike Flaherty,Dave Smith.     WON 19 - 11.  + 8
Rink 2 Martyn Grover, G.Lancaster,M.Whitehead.  WON 27 - 13. + 14. B.W.R.
Rink 3 Mick Burch,G.Chapman,P. Broomfield.     Lost. 14 - 28. - 14
Rink 4 Ted Martin, Dave Brown, Brian Ede.        WON 15 - 13. + 2

    W.W 75 shots.  8 POINTS.    Langley 65 shots  2 POINTS

SOME THANK YOUs…THANKYOU Paul Patten coming off the bench late in the day, when John Dias informed me he was ill
THANK YOU Captain Ray for your hospitality your green played very well. THANK YOU Langley Lady ( sorry I don’t know your name ) Vicky ( editors note - Malcolm )you made a wonderful cake which went down well,when we stopped for tea after 9 ends
THANK YOU W.W.Bowlers we may not win the League this season but we are giving it a good go in these last 6 CUP FINALS …..The first 3 we have picked up 22 points from a possible 30. THANK YOU BENCH nearly every game this season bowlers have come off & replaced bowlers who had to drop out for various reasons…….the previous 2 seasons never had to use the bench …..WHY???

THANK YOU EVERYONE - Brian

GAME 14 - South Hill Wood

We played our 2nd Cup Final ……4 more to play
On Wednesday we entertained South Hill Wood on our wet green the weather forecast was not good RAIN, RAIN & more RAIN……my first BIG DECISION of the day….Do I call it off….try & rearrange, that won’t be easy…..or do we play only 9 ends….decisions. decisions…it’s a tough one…will get the views of their Captain & make a DECISION just
before kickoff ……still raining ….WE WILL PLAY 9 ENDS
Last season same thing but not rain……BUT A HEATWAVE…….…I could do with some of that NOW.
Here are the scores
Rink 2 John Barnes ,Mike Flaherty,Phil Broomfield.        WON 9 - 6.     + 3
Rink 3 Martin Salter,Martyn Grover, Dave Smith.             WON 10 - 3.   + 7
Rink 4 Paul Rispoli,Paul Patten.Brian Ede.                        WON. 16 - 2.   + 14.  B.W.R
RINK 5 John Urie,Graham Lancaster,Malcolm Whitehead Lost. 4 - 9.   - 5
         W.W 39 SHOTS S.H.W. 20 SHOTS.       W.W 8 POINTS.    S.H.W. 2 POINTS
Have you notice last 2 weeks , BEST WINNING RINK HAVE BEEN THE MANAGERS …..
WHOEVER HE IS????.
Thank you Captain Tony & South Hill Wood Team for playing in the RAIN with us…the most enjoyable part of the afternoon…..going to repeat myself AGAIN …was sitting in our warm clubhouse enjoying OUR PRIZE WINNING TEA,CAKES……...Different menu every home game ,have I said that before ??
THANK YOU EVERYONE………….CUP FINAL 3 on Monday away at Langley

LX GAME 13

Coney Hall Village came up Corkscrew Hill on Wednesday to play the FIRST of 6 LX CUP FINALS ( you may ASK what am I talking about) 6 Cup Finals .
Last weeks LX report could not be put on our website due to technical difficulties,I will
repeat myself ,we have to WIN our last 6 games & WIN WELL to stand any chance of retaining the LX trophy……….6 CUP FINALS……after todays game it’s 5.
I could only send last weeks report to my 12 paid up media subscribers,anyway back to
the Local Derby game . My first BIG DECISION of the day …..Do we stop at 9 ends have
our wonderful tea or play straight through to 18 ……….it took some time ……Paulette I cannot wait for your wonderful homemade cake …….we will stop at 9 ends
Coney Hall coming to us are always noisy,plenty of banter always confident of beating
us on our wonderful green ( most of them play short mat in the winter with me ) so if they win today I won’t hear the last of it …..Back to the game….I had no one pull out at the last moment , so the bench has not been used …..this season that’s a FIRST
    Here are the scores this match was very close….you could say it went to the wire
Rink 1 Dave Figg,Martin Salter, Graham Chapman.      Draw 15 - 15
Rink 2 John Urie,Mike Flaherty,Malcolm Whitehead.    WON 22- 18. +4
Rink 4John Dias,Graham Lancaster,Brian Ede.              WON 22- 8.  + 14
Rink 3 Paul Rispoli,Martyn Grover,Dave Smith.             Lost.  7 - 25.  - 18
  WW SHOTS 66 C.H SHOTS 66.      WW 6POINTS. CH 4 POINTS

Thank you Captain Kelvin & C .H for a enjoyable afternoon & I promise 🤗 I won’t mention in the indoor winter season HOW YOU JUST LOST THIS AFTERNOON GAME
THANK YOU EVERYONE ….NOW TO THE NEXT CUP FINAL
                Brian

 GAME 11 & 12

  Deep breath……..my editor told me ,before I started writing the LX match reports to keep it humorous ,not too serious,light hearted & funny( sometimes) ….…..that is easy when you are winning ……but not when you keep losing, I need time to THINK what to write so here is

the result from Wednesday  We played Orpington away

Rink 1 John Dias,Martyn Grover,Dave Smith.      WON 22- 14. +8

Rink 2 Mark Jackson,Paul Patten,Graham Chapman Lost. 10 - 18. - 8

Rink 3 Paul Rispoli,Graham Lancaster,Brian Ede.   Lost 17 - 23. - 6

Rink 4 Mick Burch,John Barnes,Phil Broomfield.   Lost 9 - 22. - 13

Only 2 POINTS 

The previous week we played Bromley at home .I left you in the capable hands ofDave Smith who was captain for the day THANK YOU DAVE ( if you remember I was away on my vacation making hundreds,hundreds YES HUNDREDS sandcastles on the beach at the seaside( not a easy job because the tide comes in to ruin them 

It was that time of the day when Dave was going to send me the result…..I kept looking

at my phone …….the grandchildren were shouting at me NO BOWLS grandad make ANOTHER sandcastle…………….…the result comes in ANOTHER DEFEAT 3 - 7

It’s a bit like LIVERPOOL last season win 1 game then lose the next 2 or 3 games …there is no consistency. ALSO VERY FRUSTRATING.

.   

We only have 6 more LX League games left to play……if we want to retain the League champions trophy ( which will not be easy ) we will have to treat the 6 games as 6 CUP FINALS

I have heard rumours again the CLUB MANAGEMENT have had meetings with younger

managers for next season ( maybe a German ( Jürgen ) or Spanish (Pep)………,If you want to keep it ENGLISH …………………….YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO ?

 Now Before I select the teams I am getting phone calls from our LX players asking me they want to play in Dave Smiths triple ( He is the only triple winning )

As ERIC MORECAMBE would say I am playing the right players (NOTES) but not necessarily IN THE RIGHT ORDER………….COULD THAT BE RIGHT .?

THANK YOU EVERYONE , REMEMBER 6 CUP FINALS LEFT…..the League table will be

sent to us in the next couple of days CHECK IT OUT & see what we have to do………WE

NEED TO WIN THE 6 CUP FINALS.  As I said before some of the clubs are now playing their TOP PLAYERS so West Wickham don’t WIN the LX AGAIN let’s disappoint them

LETS WIN THOSE LAST 6 GAMES 

 ONE DEFINITE CUP we will win…..will be the best LX CLUBS Tea, coffee & homemade

Cakes biscuits……Different Menu each week………THANK YOU PAULETTE & SANDRA

Kent Men's Division  1  Semi / Finals

Unfortunately, our 3 men went out in the Semi - Finals yesterday - see link

LX LX GAME 10

WOODCROFT Away always a tricky place to go , if you arrive late you won’t get a parking place so you are hot & flushed before you start. They meant business today our changing room today was on the top floor loads & loads …did I say LOADS…. stairs…..GOOD TACTICS WOODCROFT………….When we finally arrived in the dressing room looking at our red faces we should have brought the clubs defibrillator. We are now on the green it’s 2 pm we should have started …..no sign of the home bowlers ….This is another WOODCROFT tactic they are playing MIND GAMES trying to slow the game down……………..They have finally arrived WE HAVE STARTED ………Here are the results………..read & digest…..TALK TO YOU LATER
Rink 2 Ted Martin,John Barnes, Phil Broomfield  Draw 15 - 15
Rink 3 Mick Burch, Graham Chapman,Malcolm W. WON 20-16.  + 4
Rink 4 Paul Rispoli,Martin Salter,Dave SMITH.     WON 21- 13.  + 8
Rink 5 Dave Figg,BOMBER Lancaster,Brian Ede.  Lost.  17- 18.  - 1
  WW 73 SHOTS 7 POINTS.     WOODCROFT 62 SHOTS 3 POINTS

This match was like the weather ( sunny ,showers ) all 4 rinks up & down all throughout the match R2 going into last end 3 down ….we get 3…..we draw.           R3 going into last end 1 down…..we get 5……we WIN.           R4 at tea (9ends) Level ,after tea cruised to a WIN ( only lost 2 ends )           R5 after 16 ends we are 6 down next end we get 6shots….to go into last end
all level but unfortunately we drop a shot to Lose. Thank you Captain Alan & WOODCROFT bowlers for your hospitality nice coming to your club,nice bar ,nice people ,nice to sit out on the balcony with a beer afterwards. We stopped at 9 ends to have tea & biscuits we were only winning on 1 rink & also no bonus points insight……..I now play my tactic of the game keep this a secret don’t tell anyone ( could be banned for life ) I drop a few sleeping tablet into the tea of the WOODCROFT Lead……….I don’t think I was seen………………..…He is yawning People always say THE GAME ALWAYS CHANGES AFTER TEA on Wednesday IT DID…..at tea on my rink we were 8 shots down …..at the end we came right back to lose by only 1 shot & all our rinks picked up AFTER TEA . After the match the opposition Lead went straight home for a sleep……YAWNING has he went……….  TACTICS. THANK YOU EVERYONE A VERY GOOD WIN …..Off now to pack my bucket & spade off to the seaside ….Dave Smith in charge Bromley at home ,after 7 away games on the trot.        THANK YOU Brian -

LX UPDATE ( 29th June)

Hello………is it me you looking for (who sang that ) ………....Lets start again….GOOD MORNING, My readers or my media followers (sounds spooky) My editor Malcolm will tell you how many LX followers I have. Sorry you did not get your weekly LX fix last week……but been busy, 3 league games in 5 days plus a Ron Ault cup game….I heard rumours I don’t do reports when we lose……NOT TRUE. Let’s start by calling it JUST A BLIP….LETS NOT PANIC….We are half way through the  season let’s assess the LX season so far,…..9 games played 6 of those games were away…4 Losses…54 points from a possible 90 points…but we are in 3rd place at the moment.I can see half dozen clubs coming close trying to take the League title from us
this season.We played away to Sidcup on Wednesday 2 of their best bowlers Mark Garrard,Clive Baugh ARE NOW REGULARS in the LX. I have also notice other clubs doing the same ……THEY DONT WANT W. W. TO WIN AGAIN. The problems we are having & it’s not going to get any better the regular LX bowlers have not been available for various reasons & with holidays coming , it’s going to get worse PS MR. BILL MEWIS……WE ARE MISSING YOU GET BETTER SOON…..I PRAY FOR YOUR RETURN.
Here are the scores that you have missed
Away Met, Police shots 59.  4 POINTS  W. W shots 82.   6 POINTS
Away New Beck. shots 62.  6 POINTS. W.W. shots 62.   4 POINTS
Away Sidcup.    shots 67  8 POINTS. W.W shots. 58.   2 POINTS
WE also played a Ron Ault cup game , Home to New Beck which we lost by 2 shots.   Thank you everyone who played in the above games I know you are doing your BEST    you don’t want me to get the SACK……Do you.   Let get back to winning
Got to go now & see who is on the treatment table for next week.    THANK YOU ALL     Worried Brian……………...starting to go grey. Ps I am not deserting a sinking ship but I will be going on my holiday in a weeks time I will miss the Bromley Home ( yes at HOME on 12th July……..WILL YOU WIN WITHOUT ME.    ANSWER Lionel Richie

KENT MEN    Latest Division 1 Finals update - see link

LX  GAME 6.   BROMLEY TOWN AWAY

BACK TO WINNING WAYS……..Just….only just…..very close…all 4 rinks closeYou could say it went to the WIRE ….or the last wood of the day…..I think the management was happy.Not seen my job (carers ) advertised yet. We travelled the short distance to Bromley Town, counting 33 potholes on the waythe sun was out 29 degrees it will get hotter , I will explain later
Here are the scores the match report will follow

Rink 2 Les Benwell, Paul Patten, Brian Ede.     Lost 19 - 22. - 3

Rink 5 David Figg,John Barnes,Ted Martin.     Lost 15 - 16. - 1

Rink 3 Paul Rolfe,Mike Flaherty,Phil Broomfield. WON 22 - 16 + 6

Rink 4 Paul Rispoli,Graham Lancaster,Malcolm Whitehead. WON 20- 19 + 1      WW SHOTS 76 POINTS 6.    Bromley Town SHOTS 73 POINTS  4after finishing on my rink I had to endure watching the last ends on the 3 rinks.2 of our rinks are all square going into the 18th end (nail biting stuff) the supportersdo get their monies worth in the LX……….unfortunately on Teds rink we lose by 1 shot. My job is not safe……….WELL DONE Phils rink WE WIN……now it’s down to Malcolm’s rink ….all square going into the last end….I need a drink THANK YOU Norman ( B.T my opp skip …I have trouble pouring my beer into my glass……..before I continue I mentioned earlier WHY DID IT GET HOTTER …….every time you play at BT they use this tactic ,young ladies walking round the green going to the gym in shorts & pink leotards …....this is why the game took along time………..we had to stop….. it nearly worked for them ………..SORRY where was I……..Last end on Rink 4 we need to win this to get the BONUS POINTS not looking good we are down until……………… .do you remember those brave LANCASTER pilot bombers in the war,nerves of steel,accurate,precision brave under pressure…..WE HAVE A LANCASTER in our team & he was just about to bowl .The B.T Lead had planted his wood right on the Jack,Malcolm our skip was looking worried….Graham LANCASTER with his 2nd wood draws the shotto win the gameCaptain Carlo & all the BT players thank you for your hospitality & the cold beers afterwards nice to meet up with friends. Now we play 3 away games in 5 days THANK YOU EVERYONE  BrianCarlo & all the BT players thank you for your hospitality & the cold beers afterwards nice to m

eet up with friends
Now we play 3 away games in 5 days THANK YOU EVERYONE.
LX  GAME 5. FOREST HILL……ANOTHER LOST

No need to panic….NOT YET….now 2 Losses last 2 games…..on the trot…one after another. Since I have been looking after our LX team ( 3 seasons time goes quick when you are having fun ) this has never happened (2 losses on the trot,if I was the Chelsea manager I would be sacked. After this latest loss the WW management have given me the dreaded VOTE OF CONFIDENCE
On the day my phone rings 9 am ….It’s Richard Slater he has to pull out for todays match at Forest Hill , this is where I earn my money. The most important part of my job is to have my phone switched on DAY & NIGHT 24 HOURS .I have 5 hours before kick off to find a replacement will not be easy I only had 1 member on the bench because of all the other competitions being played, my 1 team member on the bench IS NOT AVAILABLE…..LET ME THINK….can you hear my brain ticking…..tick….tick …I remember reading on our website …Les Benwell winning £20 in the aggregates last month,can I afford him…..I will ring him…YES he will play & he does not want any money …he will make his debut in the LX …. THANK YOU LES.    Here are the scores
Rink 1 LES BENWELL,John Barnes,Graham Chapman.     Draw 21-21
Rink 2 Brian Ede,Martin Salter,Phil Broomfield.           Lost. 13 - 19.  -6
Rink 3 Paul Rolfe,Dave Brown,Mike Flaherty              WON 19 - 14.  + 5
Rink 4 John Dias,Graham Lancaster,Malcolm Whitehead.  Lost. 15 - 18.  - 3
    WW 68 shots.  3 POINTS.    FH. 72 shots. 7 POINTS

Looking at the scorecards Thank you & WELL DONE Grahams triple after 6 ends 1 - 15. down DREW the match 21 - 21 also WELL DONE Mikes triple the only winning rink. Thank you Captain Peter & Forest Hill for a enjoyable competitive match ,it always is when playing on your green THANK YOU for your hospitality & beating us again on your green…I should not say thank you for beating us………AGAIN. THANK YOU AGAIN LES for playing at short notice & helping your triple for a remarkable comeback …..1- 15 …..remarkable
Next week AWAY AGAIN at nearby Bromley Town , we need to get back to winning again.    Thank you everyone   Brian………….these last 2 weeks my hair has gone greyer

LX GAME 4  BELLINGHAM

Not much to report this week, can I hear the applause owing to me not at Bellingham but Malcolm was Captain for the day & after talking to him & looking at the scorecards WE LOST 4-6.     Will keep this match report short
Here are the scorecards
Rink 8 Paul Patten,Dave Brown, Mike Flaherty.   WON 22-9.  + 13
Rink 9. Mick Burch, John Barnes,Phil Broomfield. Lost. 6 - 26.  - 20
Rink 10 John Dias Graham Chapman, Ted Martin WON 20- 14.  +6
Rink 11. Mark Jackson,Graham Lancaster,Malcolm Whitehead Lost 11- 21.   - 10
         W W 59 SHOTS.  POINTS 4     BELLINGHAM 70 SHOTS. POINTS 6

Thank you Bellingham for your hospitality without being rude the green was not easy you could say challenging yes that’s the word challenging. Next week we go to Forest Hill without a number of our squad who are still in the KENTS…..Best of Luck to everyone.        Thank you Everyone

Car Park:  We will reinstate the requirement to open and then close the car park gate  when used for 1 week until 31st May. There is currently a large movements of caravans in the area.

May Aggregates results

1st      Les Benwell        £20

2nd     Malcolm Whitehead £15

3rd     Nadine Johannesssen      £10

Please collect winnings from John Urie, Mick Burch, Mark Jackson or Chris Slack when you are next at the aggregates.

BAR UPDATE:

1. Members should check when the bar is open - when it’s not an honesty bar will operate.

2. Members playing at home in Nationals and County competitions are particularly advised to check bar openings and be prepared to use the small fridge operating on an honesty bar basis.

3. The club really needs more members to volunteer for bar duty - please consider getting involved with the bar or the service will suffer significantly

4. Reminding members that bar income is critical to keeping membership subs affordable for all and having funds to reinvest in the clubs facilities.

Car park

Hopefully the threat of travellers in the area has receeded so we can now go back to using our section of the Trust Car park as normal. Sparrows Den car park, where the original notice came from Bromley Council, is also now back to it's normal operations.

URGENT MESSAGE: FRIDAY 4th MAY

Martyn Grover and the Trust have pointed that there is a Car Park closure at

Sparrows Den until further notice, presumably re possible travellers in the area.

For the time being we would like all our members entering and leaving

 the bowls club car park  to shut and lock the gate.

We will try and manage the club matches over this weekend against Lancing (Friday afternoon ) to avoid too much inconvenience for ourselves and the opposition. However the football club may well have matches on Saturday and Sunday and they do have key access as well.  Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Message Update:

The problem alerted on Tuesday is now fixed.  You can now book rinks using Bowlr.

As at 21.00 on 25 April it is still not possible to book rinks via Bowlr, using the standard option, due to an error which has been reported.  If you have a county game to book contact either David F, Mike F or Malcolm and they will be able to complete the booking.

Good to see many at the Opening roll up and Opening Supper  on Saturday 22nd April. Also an excellent turn out of potential new bowlers on Sunday all introduced by existing members. Hopefully many will join the club.

Aggregates for 2023

Just a reminder that this summers Aggregates will be played on a Tuesday and Friday with the first session beginning on the Tuesday 25th April at 2pm. Once the autumn cup starts in late summer we will switch Fridays aggregates session back to a Thursday. Will let all know when a date has been agreed for Autumn cup to begin.

Please can those wishing to play in the aggregates be at the club by 1.45pm prior to start of sessions, this will then give those organising the days play enough time to prepare and pick teams for each rink.

Ladies Kent Indoor singles final

Our Ladies Captain, Gail Barnes, has reached the final of the Kent indoor bowls competition. She is due to play in the final on Saturday 15th April at Maidstone Mote Park, her game starting at 10.00am. Please come and support her, everybody welcome!

Unfortunately Gail lost the game by 21 - 19.  According to a spectator it was two ends that made the difference.   Whatever, the result the club is extremely proud of Gail.

April 2023 Bar Rota

The new bar rota is now available on the Members Page of the website.

Wednesday 24th May

LX GAME 3   Petts Wood - Played 3 Won 3 dropped only 1 point ………..SO FAR
The W.W MANAGEMENT have told me winning the League is not enough this season they want the DOUBLE ….just like Chelsea although not this season, 1 trophy is not enough to keep the manager in a job before he is sacked.Let me explain to any SPURS
fans out there,how the DOUBLE WORKS It means you have to win the League & k/out cup final in 1 season  seriously you were the first English club to do the DOUBLE in the 20th CENTURY….QUIZ QUESTION…..What year did Spurs do the double ,do not Google it……..ANSWER will be at the bottom of the page.  SORRY Back to BOWLS, on Wednesday we entertained Petts Wood and again the SUN came out & again we stopped at 9 ends for our WONDERFUL….DELICIOUS TEA REFRESHMENTS not my words but the Petts Wood players & our many supporters.(word is getting around the League clubs about our 5 STARS A LA CARTE MENU.
HERE ARE THE SCORES
Rink 1 Paul Rispoli,John Barnes,Malcolm Whitehead  WON 27-15. + 12
Rink2 Brian Ede, Mike Flaherty,Ted Martin.           WON 37 - 4. + 33
Rink 3 Paul Rolfe,Martin Salter, Richard Slater.        WON 21- 19. + 2
Rink 4 Dave Smith, Graham Chapman, Phil Broomfield WON 29- 10 + 19
   W.W 114 SHOTS. 10 POINTS.    P.W 48 SHOTS. 0 POINTS

Thank you Captain Mike & the Petts Wood players for a nice friendly game of bowls. I am sure the match will be different next season when we come to you on your green. Now to say that nice word ROTATE…..Next weeks game at Bellingham it’s now time to ROTATE the squad. Thank you everyone who played this week a good start to the season,let’s hope I say that after our next 6 away games?
Off to the kitchen now to work on some recipes for the A LA CARTE MENU  our next LX Home game is not until 12th July

Quiz Answer Spurs did the double 1960 / 61……before you ping me back Preston were the first English club but they did it in 1889 but Spurs were first in the 20th CENTURY. There were no Multi Billionairies owners in the old days. Thank you Happy Bowling. Brian

Saturday 20th May 2023

 LX  GAME 2 ELTHAM HOME - ROTATION ( I don’t mean rotating my crops down the allotment )…..ROTATE nice word ROTATE, with Kent competitions starting soon & all the other competitions in progress it’s Busy Busy…going to say that nice word again ROTATE….have you seen Dave Smith's match spreadsheet for his matches PHEW it’s mind blowing he has no time to eat
We have 30 players in the squad , If Pep & Jürgen can rotate every game & still win our squad is strong enough to do that & WIN
On Wednesday SOMETHING HAPPENED which was a shock to everyone…..THE SUN CAME OUT & it was warm, we stopped at 9 ends & did the English thing we had tea, coffee biscuits on the patio.It was nice to feel the warmth after a long cold wet few months ( Thank you Carol ) Thank you Paulette ,Sandra for serving the refreshments  to the old men
Here are the results
Rink 1 John Dias,Paul Rolfe, Malcolm Whitehead   Drew 17 - 17
Rink 2 Paul Rispoli,Martin Salter,Phil Broomfield.   WON 25 -10.   + 15
Rink 3 Ted Martin,John Barnes, Dave Smith.       WON 24 - 9.   + 15
Rink 4 Brian Ede, Paul Patten, Bill Mewis.          WON 18 - 15.   + 3
        WW 84 SHOTS  9. POINTS.   ELTHAM 51 SHOTS 1 POINT
Looking at the 4 scorecards Malcolm’s rink was close all throughout but unfortunately dropped a 6 on 15th end so going into the last end requiring a 1 to draw 2 to win….we got 1 to draw. Phil's rink ,I noticed on scorecard when Eltham won the end he has put LUCKY SHOT next to the score ( so competitive Phil ). On Dave's rink he had quick flash Ted as Lead before Dave could speak to him Ted had bowled it …you got to be quick Dave. On Bill's rink the only thing of note when Paul & I was walking down the rink towards Bill
he was pointing & looking at my shoe my Nora Batty brown stocking had slipped down my leg on to my shoe. Thank you Eltham players & capt Doug for a nice game of friendly bowls I understand you have lots of members but most don’t want to play matches. For various reasons they play a few ends go for a drink & a chat as you said like a social club , not a bowls club. Doug you will have to find a happy balance to please everyone ,not easy.    Thank you everyone.

On Saturday Eltham came back to W W to play us in LX Ron Ault knockout 2 rinks of triples & again we WON overall by 19 shots ….again Thank you everyone. In both games the bench came into play. Thank you John Diaz who replaced Richard Slater on Wednesday & Bill did not pass his fitness test early Saturday morning ( very early ) Thank you Phil for playing after cutting the green
  AGAIN THANK YOU EVERYONE . YOU ALL MAKE MY JOB EASY.  HAPPY BOWLING. ALL THE BEST TO EVERYONE PLAYING IN THE KENT'S NEXT WEEK                Brian

Wednesday 10th May 2023

Welcome back W.W. Bowlers to the new LX season. On Wednesday we played our first game of the season in the LX and we started where we left off from last season ….WITH A WIN against last seasons runners up Duke of Kent , many of our team were saying it’s a REVENGE MATCH.Last season on their green we lost 0-10 in the rain ,I treated it as another match not revenge.This time WE WON 10-0 ( only a bit of rain this time). Glad to see the bench is working Thank you Paul Rolfe he came off the bench when Graham Lancaster pulled out late in the day. The Last 2 seasons for incentives , wooden spoon for most individual losses,season before Bottle of champagne for most individual wins….this season ….we don’t need one. The team don’t need incentives to motivate to win ( plus it won’t cost me any money). Thank you D.O.K.C Captain Colin & your team for taking the result in good spirit it’s only a game of bowls(I think I have said that before ). Here are the results
Rink 1 John DIAS, Martin SALTER,Phil BROOMFIELD  WON 26-6. +20
Rink2 Ted MARTIN,Mike FLAHERTY,Richard SLATER WON 21-15. +6
Rink 4 Paul RISPOLI, Paul PATTEN, Dave SMITH.     WON 30-4. +26
Rink 5. Martyn GROVER,Paul ROLFE,Malcolm WHITEHEAD WON 29-14 +15                        W.W 106.  D.O.K.C. 39. 
Thank you everyone good start to a long season. P.S. This season nobody (both teams ) pays the huge amount of 50pence per person for refreshments but the club has decided for only home games WW bowlers will pay £1 each bowler  to cover the cost when Paulette or myself buy the food at M&S sorry Lidl’s. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DO THE BEST REFRESHMENTS IN THE LEAGUE working on a different menu every home game.         Thank you Happy Bowling                 Brian

Monday 24th April 2023

A good turn out on Saturday for the Opening Drive followed by the Opening Supper. It was also fantastic to see so many potentially new bowlers attending on Sunday, all through contacts of existing members. Hopefully many will join.

Saturday 4th March 2023 - Croydon IBC v West Wickham BC match report

The third and final indoor winter fixture took place at Croydon IBC on Saturday 4th March and resulted in an 89 – 40 loss for the Club. Despite the heavy defeat, on a very fast green which our players found challenging, we did enjoy a very pleasant afternoon with our hosts. Well done to Mick Burch, Mark Jackson and Ted Martin who came back well to only lose by one shot. A big thank you to all the player who made themselves available for the three indoor matches this season.”   Many thanks.   Paul 

Lewisham Crystal Palace IBC v West Wickham BC match report - Saturday 21st January 2023

The second of our two indoor bowls matches against Lewisham Crystal Palace IBC took place on Saturday 21st January and resulted in a hard fought 74 – 66 win for the Club, which was revenge for the 94 – 62 defeat that we suffered in November. With a much changed team from the first match a win didn’t look likely at the tea break as we were only winning on one of the five rinks but a strong second half saw West Wickham come through to win on four rinks with just the Captain’s triple losing heavily. We had joint best winning triples made up as follows: David Eagling, Mark Jackson & Paul Rispoli and John Santhanam, Krystyna Martin & David Smith who both won by the same score 20 – 10. 

A big thank you to Peter Shaw who agreed to play instead of going to the Crystal Palace v Newcastle match. With the score being 0-0 he probably made the right decision to play bowls! A very enjoyable afternoon was had by all who turned out.

Our final mixed triples match is against Croydon IBC on Saturday 4th March 2023 so if you would like to be considered for selection, please e-mail Paul Patten: pdpatten@outlook.com”   Many thanks.

Indoor Fixture v Lewisham/Crystal Palace I.B.C.

“Lewisham Crystal Palace IBC v West Wickham BC match report

The first of two indoor bowls matches against Lewisham Crystal Palace IBC took place on Sunday 27th November and resulted in a 94 – 62 defeat for the Club. However, I am pleased to report that we did have two winning triples: David Figg, David Brown and Richard Slater won 19 – 14 and David Eagling, Martin Salter and David Smith won 11 – 10. Despite the overall defeat everyone seemed to enjoy the afternoon.

Our second mixed triples match against LCPIBC takes place on Saturday 21st January 2023 so if you would like to play, please e-mail Paul Patten: pdpatten@outlook.com”     Many thanks.

Click here to view the Summary of games and results in the Indoor / Outdoor league for the first half of the season.

Social Events

Another successful Sunday lunch cooked by our Caterer Sam on Sunday 12th February to be followed by Mandy who will once again be singing for us on Saturday 25th March. Afraid the list is now full.

Club person of the Year

Congratulations to Dave Brown, winning the trophy and being presented at the Xmas lunch.  Well done

2023 Renewals

The renewal letters for the 2023 season have been posted out for all Life Members and Full Playing Members.  If you have not received your renewal letter by Saturday 6th December please email Mike Flaherty,  mike@flaherty.com.

The renewal letters for all other members will follow shortly.

Social Events

The 'winter season' finished with another enjoyable evening with the entertainer Mandy Reynolds. The next Social Function is the Opening Supper on Saturday 22nd April after the afternoon roll up.

Please note the bar will still be open on Friday evenings and Sunday lunch times, please support.

2022-2023  Indoor Fixtures

We have 3 indoor fixtures arranged two next year and one this year on the 27th November 2022 against Lewisham/Crystal Palace I.B.C.  Paul Patten has again agreed to organise and select teams for these games.

Jubilee League

Well done to our ladies in winning this league in a very tense finish. They had to beat Orpington by 6 points in the last game of the season which they duly did, well done to all !!!

Indoor / Outdoor League at Lewisham / Crystal Palace - December 2022 Summary

Click here to view the Summary of the first half of the league season

End of season notice

DON'T FORGET THE CLUB IS OPEN FRIDAY NIGHTS AND SUNDAY LUNCHTIMES

NOW INTO THE CLOSE SEASON SO NOT TOO MUCH TO REPORT ON.

WE HAVE 3 INDOOR FIXTURES AGAINST OTHER CLUBS.

 2 AGAINST LEWISHAM/CRYSTAL PALACE I.B.C. (one this year) AND ONE AGAINST CROYDON I.B.C.

PAUL PATTEN HAS AGAIN AGREED TO MANAGE THESE GAMES AND WILL BE CONTACTING ALL LOOKING FOR PLAYERS.

Aggregates 2022

This seasons final results. Winner Nadine Johannessen. Runner up  Chris Slack

B&BDBA and Hospitals Finals

Congratulations to Alex Catherall who won the final of the BBDBA Singles final played at HSBC last Sunday beating David Wood of Beckenham & Stanhope.

Congratulations to Richard Slater and David Smith who won the final of the Hospitals Amenities Fund Men's Pairs final which was played at Francis Drake on Sunday 11th September.  They won 20 - 18 over the 21 ends. Please support our members at the finals.

Leamington 2022

Kent win Amy and White Rose titles, the Walker Cup and the Men's Champion of Champions, Harry Goodwin of Appleyard B.C.  - see County News page (click here)

LX MANAGER'S REVIEW

WE HAVE DONE IT AGAIN…..WE HAVE WON THE LX LEAGUE AGAIN.

3 Seasons in a row 2022,2021,2019  2020 ( did not play Covid) But RETAINED IT. Going into our last match on Wednesday Home to Bethlem we knew we had already won the League no pressure so we could relax a little, just a little………..WE WIN 9-1
nothing else to say here are the scores.
Rink 3 Martin Salter,Paul Patten,Richard Slater.   WON 25-12.  + 13
Rink 4 David Figg,Martyn Grover,Ted Martin.     Drew 19- 19
Rink 5 John Dias,John Urie,Brian Ede.           WON 22-11.  + 11
Rink 6 Arun Tanna,Mike Flaherty,Bill Mewis.      WON 24-16. +8                              WW 90 SHOTS Bethlem 58 SHOTS.   SOME THANK YOU’S.

 Thank you WW bowlers who played in the LX this season you made my Job look easy.   Thank you for showing RESPECT & SPORTMANSHIP when playing against your opponents & to your fellow WW team mates.    Thank you GREENKEEPERS I know we say this every season HOW WONDERFUL our green is but honestly this season has been the BEST it has ever been. I WILL SAY IT AGAIN ……THE BEST even the crows & magpie’s LOVE IT they cannot keep off the green they cannot get enough of it they have to take bits of it home.   Thank you PAULETTE & SANDRA for doing the teas MUCH APPRECIATED.   Thank you READERS I have had some nice comments from yourselves, Hope you have ALL enjoyed my LIGHT HEARTED, HUMOROUS,SOMETIMES FUNNY match reports .During a long season with so many competitive matches played it’s nice to get a light hearted view of the game of bowls or LIFE in general
Looking back to our 2nd game into the season I still have nightmares away to Duke of Kent where it rained & rained the scorecards are still damp at home …….WE LOST 0 - 10. I said to our MANAGEMENT you cannot sack a manager after just 2 games ….ASK BOURNEMOUTH & CHELSEA.     THANK YOU EVERYONE Brian.      LONG LIVE THE KING. P.S.  I have just polished the wooden spoon ready for Friday's presentation

LX v B & G - 31st August

What can I say?…..WHAT CAN I SAY..I was not there on Wednesday at BLACKHEATH & GREENWICH I was away on holiday or I should have been( but that’s another story) I heard the rumours amongst the W.W team now it’s the managers turn to get away from the dreaded W/SPOON. THANK YOU Dave Smith for being Captain for the day and I will use your comments from the day,looking at the match scorecards we now have 2 WW bowlers with 5 losses sorry cannot mention the names to save the embarrassment to their friends & families I will call them bowler 1 & bowler 2. Some of you have asked me what happens if there are more than 1 winner , SORRY LOSER…..I have looked up the RULES which I put together before the season started
1 YOU CAN ONLY HAVE 1 winner SORRY LOSER ( the wooden spoon is expensive to buy + the engraving).
2 THE BEST & FAIREST RESULT if we have a tie …. IF BOWLER 1 has played fewer games than BOWLER 2 …..THEN BOWLER 1 is the LOSER. That to me is the fairest result. The more games you play it will save you from the W/Spoon
We have 1 more game to play & looking at the other candidates we could have 4 or 5 with the same amount of losses…ITS GOING TO THE WIRE ( where have I heard that ).  Sorry back to the match at BLACKHEATH….I was waiting for Dave Smith text………..
I am sitting in my chair at home, with a cup of tea….come on Dave ……..WE WON 8 - 2. We cannot celebrate yet? You don’t need me to explain to you what we require to retain ( NICE WORD RETAIN ) the LX LEAGUE TITLE going to say it again…….RETAIN
Here are the scores
rink 2 Paul RISPOLI SIR PAUL PATTEN CAPTAIN Dave SMITH.  WON 23 - 9.  + 14
rink3 Martin SALTER Graham LANCASTER John BARNES.      WON 21 - 15.  + 6
rink 4 Richard SLATER Ted MARTIN Graham CHAPMAN.       LOST 9 - 14.  - 5
rink 5 David FIGG Mike FLAHERTY Bill MEWIS.                WON 23 - 11.  + 12

Captain Dave would like to say THANK YOU to BLACKHEATH & Captain Alan Watts for a friendly reception and pleasant afternoon of competitive game of bowls….NICE WORDS DAVE. We now wait until the 14th of this month to play the last game of the season HOME to BETHLEM. THANK YOU W W BOWLERS AGAIN & CAPTAIN DAVE SMITH for looking after the team, not easy with as many different opinions.    PS. DONT CELEBRATE YET…………….Brian

LX v QUEENS MEAD - 17th August

It was the night before the big match the Met office ( & Carol Kirkwood )have both forecast Heavy thunderstorms all day tomorrow coming down from the North & coming up from the south, even storms coming sideways to us…..me thinking we have no chance of playing this game I repeat NO CHANCE. We are on the green with QUEENSMEAD it’s a bit cloudy but no rain I can hear Thunder nearby probably in Croydon , Addington or Shirley it’s getting closer to us. as we know QUEENSMEAD struggle to get teams out & most of their members are over a certain age the youngest was on our rink the 74 year old skip, who must have saved about 15 shots ? They are all nice people & only play the game to have exercise keep fit , stay healthy body & MIND & meet people. They never win anything always end up near the bottom of the League or bottom,they don’t care they enjoy the game of bowls which is the main thing in life ENJOYMENT make a note everyone. Special thank you to ARUN TANNIA who was making his LX debut coming in from ourAcademy ( new bowlers)we also brought in JOHN DIAS from Academy earlier in the season & is now a regular in the team. I have been told by the Academy Manager MR.FIGG next season there will be more coming through, …….sorry coming back to you
ARUN I was told by R/S & MF on your rink you had a excellent match ,WELL DONE ARUN. HERE ARE THE SCORES ( you will notice it was close on our rink we were trying to make a game of it) on the first end we even allowed them the shot even though it was a tight measure with our wood, they took out their wood before our JOHN could say anything it was very sporting of us to allow them the point or shot

Rink 2 Brian EDE John URIE Graham LANCASTER.    WON 16 - 13. + 3
Rink 3 Arun TANNA Mike FLAHERTY Richard SLATER. WON 30 - 12. + 18
Rink 4 Paul RISPOLI David FIGG Dave SMITH.         WON 30 - 6  + 24
Rink 5 John DIAS Ted MARTIN Bill MEWIS.            WON 26 - 12. + 14
MAN OF THE MATCH ARUN TANNA …..ON HIS DEBUT look out everyone
Before you ask we did get rain 5 minutes we got into our wets expecting the thunderstorms & then took them off again ….. I was told it was localised nice word LOCALISED. THANK YOU QUEENSMEAD & Captain Brian for a enjoyable afternoon ( even though you won’t read this) Hope to see you all next season for your exercise on the green. THANK YOU TEAM ….the STATS MAN has informed me since we lost to BROMLEY 5 games ago WE HAVE PICKED UP 44 POINTS out of a possible 50. WELL DONE ALL & THANK YOU……….nearly forgot THANK YOU SANDRA for the cake it went down well with the beer……..CHEERS Brian

PRESIDENTS CUP - 14th August

 A convincing win against H.S.B.C. in the President's Cup (P.C.L. Cup) and we are now away to Woolwich & Plumstead.

LX v LANGLEY - 10th August

What happens when a team who is TOP of the LEAGUE plays a team who is BOTTOM of the LEAGUE……answer you get a VERY,VERY CLOSE game. On Wednesday it was LANGLEYS turn to travel the short distance to WEST WICKHAM. In the old days before you start a match both captains would look at the dark clouds in the sky & say Carol Kirkwood has forecast heavy RAIN shall we play less ends
Now we say,shall we play less ends or cancel the match because of the extreme HEAT with temperatures between 35 to over 40 degrees only MAD DOGS & ENGLISHMEN go out in the MIDDAY SUN( who use to say that ? ). Anyway back to the game when we stopped at 9ends for a drinks break & a piece of cake it was close we were up on 2 rinks & down on 2 rinks ITS CLOSE or VERY TIGHT
The only W W rink who had a convincing WIN was on JOHN BARNES rink on BILL MEWIS rink we were down 12-14 after 12ends…..but the last 6 ends produced 19 shots from somewhere our 3rd winning rink was even closer DAVE SMITHS triple went into the last end 12-12. I am still getting nervous typing this ….back to the last end ……WE WIN BY 2 SHOTS. Our losing rink NO NAMES see below for details
Rink 2 John Urie Ted Martin John Barnes.     WON 29-8. +21
Rink 3 Brian Ede Mike Flaherty Bill Mewis.     WON 31- 14 + 17
Rink 4 David Figg Graham Chapman Phil Broomfield LOST 13-22. -9. WE HAVE MORE   CANDIDATES FOR THE DREADED WORDS
Rink 5 Martyn Grover Graham Lancaster Dave Smith WON 14-12 +2

SOME THANK YOU’s to the girls PAULETTE & SANDRA for serving the teas to the old geezers. THANK YOU to Graham Lancaster to the late call up due to Paul Rolfe withdrawal THANK YOU TEAM ( inc RINK 4 ) for your skill & efforts to getting a 8 - 2 WIN. MESSAGE TO MALCOLM now you can SEE better your team place still awaits, maybe the last game of the LX season BETHLEM HOME 14th SEPT or the DELEGATES DAY 23rd SEPT ( I have been told you can now see the Jack).    Cheers everyone & again THANK YOU            Brian

LX v SOUTH HILL WODD - 3rd AUGUST

PANIC…….It’s 10.am Wednesday day of our LX match my phone rings ….I can sense it’s a problem ring….it’s Martin Salter now I know it’s a real problem ….he has failed his fitness test, bad back THIS IS WHERE THE MANAGER EARNS HIS MONEY we have a large squad but so many have taken short notice holidays ( where has SIR Paul PATTEN GONE , last seen in CHINA & RUSSIA) just to get away from the dreaded WSpoon. I have now banned everyone of mentioning W Spoon until last game of the season ITS BANNED ….OK BANNED. SPECIAL THANKS to JOHN BARNES he has got rid of his rubbish at the dump & he’s going to play THANK YOU JOHN not a bad replacement for Martin (don’t tell Martin that).  We arrived at SOUTH HILL WOOD in 7 minutes another local game ( 7 minutes earlier I was still drinking my tea in my Lounge , did I say that last week?.? We were cruising on all 4rinks me THINKING 10 Points again…Then on RINK 2 on the very last end ,I cannot say our WW bowlers names to you …LOOK BELOW FOR RINK 2 Sorry to remind you RINK 2 you drop a 6 on the 16th end & a 5 on the last end WE WIN 8-2 another good WIN on a away green HERE ARE THE SCORES ….LOOK OUT FOR RINK 2
RINK 2 DAVID FIGG MIKE FLAHERTY BILL MEWIS LOST 19-21 SORRY THE VOTING HAS NOW FINISHED FOR THE W/SPOON that’s a pity 1or2 candidates on that rink
RINK 3 Ted MARTIN John BARNES Phil BROOMFIELD WON 21- 11. +10
RINK 4 John DIAS Graham LANCASTER Brian EDE.   WON 29- 4. + 25
RINK 5 Paul ROLFE Dave SMITH Richard SLATER.     WON 30 -14 +16
       WW 99 shots 8 POINTS.    S.H.W 50 shots 2 POINTS
Before I forget ANOTHER THANK YOU to JOHN DIAS who stepped in on Monday when John Urie could not play. Thank you Captain ANDREW & S.H.W for your Hospitality nice people ,nice tea after 9 ends & the extra teas for our many supporters (5 or 6 ) who came & watch in the heatwave YOUR SUPPORT IS MOST WELCOME. I have been told by management starting next WED ( it’s now very serious) before we start the match WE HAVE TO DO A RAIN DANCE & PRAY FOR RAIN. THANK YOU TEAM for all your efforts inc Rink 2 we now only have 4 important games left. I had a text from Paul Rispoli on holiday in ITALY before I gave him the result I allowed him to put his vote in WSpoon ( only because of the poor turn out ) MORE MONEY FOR THE CHARITY but Paul no Italian money lira or euros ? Answers on a post card please.     Thank you Brian.         sorry this weeks report is short …I could have mentioned bit more about RINK 2 ……. sorry I am going THANK YOU TEAM

MEN'S COX CUP - 1st AUGUST

We beat B & G in the Divisional semi final and now meet Bromley at Duke of Kent Court on the 8th August. All support welcome.

ADIES TOP CLUB AND MEN'S KENT FOURS - 31st JULY

Our Ladies Top Club side having good away wins at Bromley and Borough Green went out to Chatham in the Kent Area final 3-1 at Horton Kirby and our Kent Men's Fours won their Quarter Final against Marden at Halls but lost in the Semi-Final to Sandwich.

LX v CONEY HALL - WEDNESDAY 28TH JULY

Morning ALL. On Wednesday we travelled the short distance to the village of Coney hall (how do you become a village,?what do you need to become a village? ANSWERS ON A POSTCARD PLEASE ) Sorry going off one one again……we went down Corkscrew Hill ,across the road into Laynhams Road….we have arrived,…..2 minutes earlier I was still in my lounge drinking my tea I thought we would start slowly getting use to their green but I was wrong… again. aafter6 ends all 4 rinks we were up,then on our rink on the 7th end something happened ….we got 9 WW woods round the Jack ( including mine ) we were very sporting very English,we didn’t shout it out.ITS A HOTSHOT YES A HOTSHOT if you didnot hear me I repeat ITS A HOTSHOT…It’s now more work for me to send off the paperwork to Bowls England..I am sure Mr. BILL MEWIS does not want a piece of paper & a hotshot badge to put on his bowls jacket. After 12 ends we were still winning on all rinks when CONEY HALL played their trump card they sent on Coney Halls mascot THE GIANT CAT he walked up & down the rinks giving us a scary look & for a while sat on Phil Broomfield rink before giving up &
disappearing,it worked for a while Phils rink lost the next 4 ends after 16 ends we were trailing 11 - 13 SEE BELOW HOW WE ENDED.

RINK 2 Richard SLATER Martyn GROVER Dave SMITH.      WON 28 - 9. + 19
RINK 3 Brian EDE John BARNES Bill MEWIS.      HOTSHOT WON 29- 9. +20
RINK 4 David FIGG Graham CHAPMAN Phil BROOMFIELD.   WON 16-15. + 1
RINK 5 John DIAS Graham LANCASTER Ted MARTIN.        WON 16 - 15
      WW SHOTS 89. POINTS 10.  CONEY HALL 48 SHOTS POINTS 0

Thank you CONEY HALL & Captain KELVIN for making us Welcome & Your Hospitality with your wide range of cold beers from the fridge & sitting outside round your new tables in the sun This is your first season in LX let’s hope you move up the League And lastly I must not forget YOU W W TEAM we could have come unstuck we all know it’s not that easy on C H green so to get a 10 - 0 is a very good result.   THANK YOU.  Brian

COX CUP - MONDAY 25th JULY

The Men again progressed in the Cox Cup beating Sidcup comfortably and now meet B & G at Duke of Kent Court in the Division 1 semi-final on the 1st August. The other semi-final is W & P v Bromley at the same venue and date

LX REVIEW - 22nd JULY

Polling Station CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY AT MIDNIGHT
It did not take long to count the votes it was a very poor turnout after checking the votes through the night ( double checked again & again) we have a landslide winner
many of the LX Team decided not to vote against your fellow team member, I can understand that, & RESPECT your decision BUT IT WAS ONLY A BIT OF FUN in this AWFUL WORLD WE ARE LIVING IN AT THE MOMENT. The LX members who did VOTE & if you get the W.S winner right you will receive from me A BOTTLE OF VINTAGE WINE colour of your choice……..it’s being made has we speak (is that the right word MADE)  After last weeks disappointing result at Bromley we had to Bounce Back….ORPINGTON came to play on our green , speaking to some of there bowlers before the match they were looking forward to playing on it (LIKE ALL OTHER CLUBS) We should make a charge. HERE ARE THE SCORES they make good reading ( except on my rink) Don’t say again

Rink 2 John URIE Graham Lancaster Brian EDE   Lost 15 - 16. -1
Rink 3 John DIAS Mike FLAHERTY Bill MEWIS.   WON 30 -9. + 21
Rink 4 Richard SLATER Martin SALTER Phil BROOMFIELD. WON 28 - 8 + 20
Rink 5 David FIGG Paul RISPOLI Dave SMITH.    WON 28 - 12 + 16
       WW SHOTS 101  POINTS 8.    ORP. SHOTS 45. POINTS 2
We have 6 games left in the League next week we go down Corkscrew Hill to play Coney Hill ( which is a VILLAGE ) This will be a difficult game on there green & again we are missing bowlers who are taking holidays,going on picnics or going out with the family …..just so they keep away from the DREADED WOODEN SPOON at the end of season. THANK YOU EVERYONE the latest League Table is on the Clubs notice board

MONDAY 18th JULY

Congratulations to Gail Barnes in winning the Bowls England Ladies Over 55's Singles Area Final against Janice Munday from Empire 21-11. She is now in the All England Round of 32 on the 5th August against Hampshire or the Isle of Wight.

The Men progressed in the Cox Cup beating Kings fairly comfortably at home and only losing by 1 away.

SUNDAY 18th JULY - LADIES TOP CLUB v BOROUGH GREEN

A fantastic win for our ladies away at Borough Green 3-1 having put out Bromley in the last round, also away. They now meet Chatham by the 31st July on a neutral green in the Area Final.

WEDNESDAY 13th JULY LX v BROMLEY

First of all, I MUST APOLOGISE ( that’s twice I have said that or typed it won’t be the last) to you ALL…..MY devoted readers for not getting out match reports on our last 2 matches (2 in 3 days) REASON…….I Blame it on the very high temperatures we are getting it’s called a heatwave.I had a very nasty phone call from my editor explaining to
me SOCIAL MEDIA is a important part of my managers job
THIS COULD BE A FIRST ….. A LX match could be cancelled or Ends reduced next WED. Not because of the Bad weather RAIN, STORMS,SNOW….wait for it ..GLORIOUS SUN ITS A HEATWAVE …. You will have to ask 1 of our older statesman PETER JEFFRIES or PAUL PATTEN if this has happened before ?? I KNOW THE REASON…this is because I don’t use Carol Kirkwood anymore she kept getting it wrong ( she would say sunny day & we would get RAIN) ….I now use OWAIN WYN EVANS ( nice 3 piece suits,how does he fit in them) he also does a bit of drumming. On WED we travelled the short distance to BROMLEY (another green I don’t normally win on) Remember last seasons RON AULT FINAL we Lost. They were 2nd from bottom in the League , we are top at the moment but I knew this would be a tough match , they now play some of Bromley’s stronger players……….WE LOST 3 - 7.    Here are the scores
CHECK OUT our 2 heavy losses THIS WILL HELP YOU WHEN YOU VOTE

Rink 1 John Urie Graham Lancaster Brian Ede. Drew 14 - 14
Rink 2 PAUL RISPOLI MIKE FLAHERTY BILL MEWIS LOST 9 - 24  - 15 + dropped a 8
Rink 3 MARTIN SALTER GRAHAM CHAPMAN JOHN BARNES LOST 7 - 26.  - 19
Rink 4 David Figg Paul Patten Dave Smith. Won 15 - 7 + 8.  WELL DONE DAVE’s RINK

ANOTHER FIRST My opposite skip CHRIS said to me after 12 ends what are you drinking when we finish? He wanted to beat the rush to the bar good thinking Chris. When I came off the green the cold pint lager was waiting for me on our table ,it was not on the table for long …..only the empty glass THANKS Chris. Thank you captain DAVID INGRAM & BROMLEY for your hospitality you will move up the League LETS HOPE WE DONT MOVE DOWN? ITS NOW COUNTDOWN FOR YOUR VOTE …..Our CHARITY NEEDS LOADS & LOADS
of your money to save any bickering,squabbling,amongst the LX squad ( WHY DID YOU VOTE FOR ME) you must email me the name ,I will not disclose your vote to anyone it’s our secret. I don’t mind if you vote for the manager I won’t be offended( BUT PLEASE
DONT WASTE YOUR VOTE ) YOU WILL GET MORE REMINDERS TO VOTE BEFORE THE CUT OFF WED 20th 6pm.     Thank you everyone that includes RINKS 2 + 3.         Brian  PS JUST GOING TO VOTE NEED TO EMAIL MYSELF AFTER OUR DEFEAT TO BROMLEY I NOW HAVE 6 TO CHOOSE FROM??????

FRIDAY 1st JULY -KENT DIVISION 1 FINALS

Our Men's Four of Paul Rolfe, Richard Pickering, Ian Way and Geoff Bailey beat New Beckenham  in the Kent Division 1 Final and now progress to the Quarter Finals meeting the other 3 Kent Divisions - see link.

LATEST LX UPDATE

MATCH SCORES 2 GAMES IN 3 DAYS

Monday 27th June Home New Beckenham

Rink 1 John Dias Paul Rispoli Brian Ede.    12 - 20 LOST - 8    Rink2 Paul Rolfe John Barnes P.Broomfield. 11 - 7. WON + 4

Rink 3 John Urie G.Lancaster M.Whitehead. 24 - 12 WON + 12   Rink 4 Ted Martin Dave Smith Bill Mewis.   27 - 6. WON + 21

 W W 74 SHOTS 8 POINTS. New Beckenham 45 SHOTS 2  POINTS

Wednesday 29th June Home Sidcup

Rink 1 Brian Ede Martin Salter Bill Mewis.    18 - 12 WON + 6    Rink 2 David Figg G.Lancaster M.Whitehead. 13 - 20 LOST - 7

Rink 3 Dave Brown Mike Flaherty P. Broomfield 25-15 WON +10   Rink 4 M. Grover Paul Rispoli Ted Martin 21 - 25 LOST - 4

  WW 77 SHOTS. 6. POINTS. Sidcup 72 SHOTS. 4 POINTS.  Thank you team nect game AWAY BROMLEY WED 13th July

BOWLS ENGLAND & KENT COUNTY NEWS

A great win for our Ladies in the Bowls England Top Club away to Bromley winning 3-1. They now meet Borough Green.

Our Men's Four of Paul Rolfe, Richard Pickering, Ian Way and Geoff Bailey beat Sidcup in the Kent Division 1 Semi-Final and now meet New Beckenham at Bromley B.C. on the 1st July in the Final.

In the men's Pairs John Dias and Ian Remedios lost in the Pairs to 2 Middleton Cup players from Bromley. Well done in getting so far and giving them a good game in the semi-final. SEE LINK TO FINAL ROUNDS

FRIDAY 24th JUNE LX v METROPOLITAN POLICE & RON AULT TROPHY v ORPINGTON

EVENING ALL, remember Saturday nights Jack Warner of Dixon of Dock Green would salute to the camera & say EVENING ALL , don’t know why the colour was not good in those happy days always BLACK & WHITE……sorry back to Friday MET POLICE I looked round the green it looked like we were playing another W W team I counted 2 ex W W members for reasons unknown they supply their trade at the Warren now + 3 who are currently members of both clubs. Going to keep this report short I have another one to do tomorrow (Monday) & another on Wednesday. Last  week I said it was 3 games in 5 days, but it’s not, MALCOLM you should have picked up on it………..you normally do on my mistakes.          ITS 6 DAYS …I counted on my fingers. Here are the results rink1

Rink 1 John Dias Paul Rispoli John Barnes. WON 23 - 14. + 9

Rink 2  Ian Cuthbert Graham Chapman Richard Slater. LOST 10 - 16. - 6
Rink 3 John Urie Martin Salter.  M. Whitehead.         WON 25 - 14. + 11
Rink 4 David Figg Mike Flaherty Bill Mewis.           WON 18 - 15. + 3
          WW 75 SHOTS.  8 POINTS. MP & 5 ex WW 59 SHOTS. 2 POINTS
THANK YOU to Ian Cuthbert ( who left the club bar late in the day to play) & again to MALCOLM did not have time for a beer, when the game finished he played again at Orpington in the RON AULT see report below.     Thank you TEAM I keep being asked which individual ( LOSER ) has the dreaded WOODEN SPOON at the moment we still have a long way to go ……but I can tell you….
………. WE HAVE ( I had to count the number on 2 hands ) ……..YES YOU HAVE GOT IT   …….. WE HAVE 10 LOSERS with the same of Losses fighting for the WOODEN SPOON with his photo put on our clubs website ,management have told me I must not disclose the POOR INDIVIDUAL.

We travelled to Orpington in the evening to play in the RON AULT KNOCKOUT CUP. 2 TRIPLES, This was a very close game when both triples started the last end W W were winning by 2 shots overall but unfortunately both W W rinks dropped 3 to Lose by 4 shots, For me personally it was a week of near misses ( that’s another story )
Dave Smith Ian Remedios Brian Ede       LOST 14 - 21
Ted Martin G, Lancaster M.Whitehead.  WON. 21 - 18
Before the season started I told management we would DO THE DOUBLE that’s gone out the window I don’t know if my job is safe look at Chelsea managers they win 1or2 trophies & still get the sack it might be different now THE RUSSIAN HAS GONE
coming back in the car Malcolm looked so fresh I think he could have played a 3rd game instead he went to our club bar for a well earned DRINK           THANK YOU EVERYONE     Brian

BOWLS ENGLAND

A great 3-1 win for our Ladies in the Bowls England Top  Club away to Bromley. They now meet Borough Green

or Orpington Excelsior.

KENT DIVISION 1 SEMI FINALS & FINALS

Our Men's Four of Paul Rolfe, Richard Pickering, Ian Way and Geoff Bailey beat Sidcup in the Kent Division 1 Semi-Final and now meet New Beckenham in the Final. Plus in the Pairs John Dias and Ian Remedios got through to the Semi-Final against Bromley next Tuesday  at West Wickham.  All support welcome, good luck to all.

WEDNESDAY 15th JUNE - LX v BROMLEY TOWN - NAIL BITING STUFF

The weather was beautiful , the green was its usual self ( beautiful ) & the game was played in the right sporting spirit of the game. THANK YOU BROMLEY TOWN who came to us on Wednesday & gave us a very good game who came back strongly at the end , both teams fighting for the EXTRA BONUS 2 POINTS which can be so crucial at the end of the season specially if we have to GO TO THE WIRE AGAIN.  We all know POINTS make prizes ( remind me who use to say that ? ). Let’s get back to the MATCH …………WHAT DRAMA to get the extra 2 points. Our 3 winning rinks had finished & were watching with deep breath MALCOLM'S triple they were just about to play the last end .THE OVERALL SHOTS W W 62. BT 62. The large number of supporters watching did not know the score , we had taken the scoreboards in but luckily the best player left on the green in this situation was MALCOLM he had done the arithmetic before I could collect our scorecards from the skips…….BACK TO BOWLS & to MALCOLM who was just about to bowl, we are down
2 shots MALCOLM your club needs you ….again SORRY MALCOLM going to keep this short I only get paid on a certain number of words…………….But you moved the Jack ( I should say you trailed the Jack to get shot & despite BT skip Carlos efforts ……..WE HAVE GOT THE EXTRA BONUS 2 POINTS.   WW 63. BT. 62. WHAT DRAMA.    The last end should be on YOU TUBE. & the drama before that with  our supporters shouting WHAT IS THE OVERALL SCORE…………..ask Malcolm he knows
    Here are the scores
Rink 1 Richard Slater John Barnes Bill Mewis.     WON 18 - 14.  + 4
Rink 2 Ted Martin Mike Flaherty Phil Broomfield.  WON 17 - 16.  + 1
Rink 3 Ian Remedios G.Lancaster M. Whitehead   Lost. 10 - 25.  - 15 ( Kind words Manager but as I said that they were the only 2 good woods I played all afternoon, fortunately I did not need to bowl my last wood !!!!! )
Rink 4 John Dias Paul Rispoli Brian Ede.          WON 18 - 7.   + 11
        W W 8 POINTS.   Bromley Town 2 POINTS
Thank you everyone (TEAM ) & to Bromley Town bowlers for a sporting & enjoyable afternoon in the SUN ( don’t normally say that THE SUN BIT ). We now play 3 home games in 5 days .   THANK YOU TEAM & M……Sorry cannot type his name I have done my 1000
  words …….don’t get paid for extra ……..sorry M      Brian

WEDNESDAY 8th JUNE - LX v FOREST HILL

SORRY devoted readers but this weeks BOWLS REPORT will be a lot shorter REASON ……I was not there HOME to Forest Hill. If you remember they gave us a nail biting fight to the League title which we only WON on the last game of the season. As I said many times IT WENT TO THE WIRE ( I don’t like repeating myself ) I don’t know what my caretaker manager MALCOLM said to his troops (bowlers ) but whatever he said it certainly worked.  WE THUMPED last seasons runners up 10 - 0 ……..  …………….. OR MY INCENTIVE OF THE DREADED WOODEN SPOON. Here are the scores :-
Rink 2 Dave Brown John Barnes Phil Broomfield.   WON 19 - 14.  + 5
Rink 4 Martyn Grover Mike Flaherty Bill Mewis.     WON 21 - 13.  + 8
Rink 5 John Dias Paul Rispoli Ted Martin.          WON 26- 12.  + 14
Rink 6 John Urie G. Lancaster M. Whitehead.       WON 18 - 17.  + 1                                           W W SHOTS. 84.  FH 56
Looking at the scorecards Bills rink at 16 ends score was 13 - 13 then got a 7. Malcolm’s rink going into last end was 17 - 17 then got a 1 . The other 2 rinks , Teds rink on the last 2 ends got 7 shots to get a convincing WIN on Phils rink was only 2 shots up after 15 ends The match was very close not like a 10- 0 win in football. SPECIAL THANK YOU to Martyn for playing at the last moment ( phone call on the day ). THANK YOU Malcolm for stepping into the managers shoes ( NICE SHOES ) not an easy job with so many stars in the team ( there is another word for them ) Thank you TEAM for grinding out a WIN result. AGAIN SORRY for the short match report ….I will make up for it next week.         Thank you Brian

TUESDAY 7TH JUNE - AGGREGATES

Hi all,

Below are the winners for May’s aggregates :-

1^st      Arun Tanna     £20

2^nd     Peter Shaw     £15

3^rd     Mick Burch      £10

Please collect winnings from Mark Jackson when next at the aggregates

WEDNESDAY 1st JUNE - LX v BELLINGHAM

After all the heavy rain showers this week and the experts weather forecasters all predicting more heavy showers during our match on Wednesday…………. It was a pleasant surprise we didnot get any wet stuff. WHEN DO THEY GET IT RIGHT ? It was perfect Bowls weather NO WIND, NOT COLD, SUN OUT about 20 degrees & NO RAIN it was perfect , EXCEPT for our match result ……. Bellingham who were 1 place behind us in the League beat us 7 - 3 at one time it did not look like we would get 3 points. I can see Bellingham challenging us for the League title this season.      We stopped at 9 ends ( first time this season ) and sat outside for our tea , coffee,
& our Jubilee cake in the sunshine ,thank you Paulette & Sandra for serving it to the old men. While sipping my tea & eating the homemade cake I had one eye in the sky did I see any dark clouds……NO JUST BLUE also noticing the beautifully decorated Flags
Buntings surrounding the green & inside the clubhouse WELL DONE THE LADIES all ready for THE QUEENS PLATINUM CELEBRATIONS.   Here are the scores
Rink 1 Martyn Grover Paul Patten Richard Slater  Lost 13 - 14  - 1
Rink 2 Mike Taylor Martin Salter Ted Martin.      Lost. 11 - 20.  - 9
Rink 3 John Dias Paul Rispoli Brian Ede.         WON 16 - 14 + 2 LOOK MR MEWIS
Rink 4 John Urie G.Lancaster M.Whitehead.     DREW 15 - 15
                                  W W SHOTS.   55 - 63
Special mention to John Dias WELL DONE making your debut in the tough LX League you had a very good game & helped to get the only W W rink WIN. Just to say to BILL MEWIS it was on the managers winning rink WILL WAIT FOR YOUR COMMENTS BILL ????
Must go now GOING TO DRINK THE QUEENS HEALTH       GOD BLESS THE QUEEN  THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR EFFORTS.           Brian

WEDNESDAY 25th MAY - LX v PETTS WOOD

IT’S WORKING My INCENTIVE is working ,our last 2 games no WW individual bowler has lost a match .   At the end of the season nobody wants to have their photo taken by our clubs photographer with the losers wooden spoon and the photo put on the clubs website. On Wednesday we travelled the short distance to Petts Wood over the past seasons it has not been a good place to get a result but they were missing some key bowlers also struggling to get 12 bowlers out for the day , they managed it when the member who was making the refreshments was told to find his woods.When we stopped for tea at 9ends all of our 4 rinks were winning but I must quickly say the managers rink was 24-0 up……this brought a constructive comment from our BILL MEWIS thanks Bill it’s always nice to get feedback……...anybody else , I would welcome feedback send to Christine anything to do with BOWLS she bins it before I can get to it that includes my dinner if I am late coming in AFTER PLAYING BOWLS. Thank you Petts Wood for your hospitality & wish you luck for the season when we got back out after tea we won 10-0……Here are the scores
Paul Rispoli Martin Salter Phil Broomfield.  WON 23- 10
Ted Martin Graham Chapman Bill Mewis.   WON 28- 7
Ian Cuthbert Graham Lancaster Malcolm Whitehead WON 21- 18
David Figg Dave Smith Brian Ede.         WON 36- 6
           WW SHOTS 108.   PW SHOTS 41
 The next 6 league games are all at home but next week the Kent’s start so we will be losing some of the team best of luck who are taking part also some of you have decided to play in another competition . Next week we play Bellingham ( who are 3rd in
the League ) we are 2nd should be interesting. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR EFFORTS. PS Carol Kirkwood got it wrong again she forecast NO RAIN TODAY what did we get at precisely 4 pm we had a very heavy downpour which lasted ,Carol 30 to 40 minutes I think you have been distracted by that engagement ROCK on your finger.      Happy Bowling & THANK YOU EVERYONE.              Brian

WEDNESDAY 18th MAY - LX v ELTHAM

 BACK TO NORMALITY whatever that means? Back to winning ways, the sun came out so did the West Wickham LX bowlers
after that very disappointing result in the rain last week. We went to sunny ELTHAM by the sea ….sorry no SEA & WON 10 - 0 another great result we managed to get our car in the Eltham car park ( that is a first for me ). We did leave early before the sun came up, great result never done that before. My Editor has told me to keep this weeks match report shorter, last weeks I was told
some of you dozed off before you finished reading it. Not only am I getting pressure from the management for bad League results now I am getting it from the clubs website EDITOR, so here are the results
Rink 3 David Figg Dave Smith Brian Ede.    WON 20 - 18
Rink 4 Paul Rispoli Martin Salter Phil Broomfield. WON 23 - 7
Rink 5 Ted Martin John Barnes Bill Mewis.   WON 25 - 9
Rink 6 Martyn Grover Graham Lancaster Malcolm Whitehead WON 21- 14
 WW 89 SHOTS. ELTHAM 48 SHOTS  THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR EFFORTS    Happy bowling in the SUN        Cheers        Brian

THURSDAY MAY 12th - N.W.K.L. DIVISION 8

“Our new Division 8 team travelled to Erith on Thursday 12^th May to play St Michael’s Residents Bowls Club. The reason for entering a third team in the North West Kent League is to give some of our newer bowlers and those established members who have in the post wanted to play in the league but who hadn’t been selected to play in recent seasons. These players are now being given the opportunity to gain experience of playing in the league with the support and encouragement of some of our more experienced players. The following players were selected for the first match. 

1 David LeRay

2 John Dias

3 Paul Patten (Captain)

1 Ray Young

2 John Urie

3 Martyn Grover

On a heavy green in windy conditions the overall score ended in a 30 – 25 defeat with Martyn’s triple winning by 4 shots and Paul’s triple losing by 9 shots resulting in 4 points to St Michael’s Residents and 2 points to West Wickham.

An encouraging start but as my school reports used to say must do better! Paul Patten” 

WEDNESDAY MAY 11th  - LX v DUKE of KENT COURT

I did not want to write this match report there is very little to say, WHAT CAN I SAY. The score cards are so soggy I cannot read the scores ,have to wait for them to dry out. Will leave it until tomorrow maybe they will dry out………………………………………………Hello - back again I can just about read the score cards I cannot believe my eyes ARE THE SCORES RIGHT? Before I tell you the result & scores ( I know who played on Wed know the result BUT KEEP IT QUIET ) Don’t spoil it for everyone before I give you the result &
scores….LET ME SAY THANK YOU DUKE OF KENT for your hospitality it’s always nice to come to you,BIG CAR PARK ,lots of trees surrounding the green & a nice hot mug of tea after the game . After the 3 hours NON STOP RAIN it was a relief to come in for that
hot mug tea I HAVE NOW STARTED SNEEZING. Someone in the warm clubhouse ( who was not playing ) said to me we did need the heavy rain for the gardens, allotments, reservoirs,& bowls greens…..hold me back I nearly . . . him. Before I give you the result let me say to the 12 W W players why do you want a WOODEN SPOON ? It was a INCENTIVE for the squad not to have the EMBARRASSMENT of being the most losing INDIVIDUAL during the long season. It’s now time to give you the result & scores ….. but before I do I am going to check them ARE THEY RIGHT? let’s put my glasses on ………………….. if you see any mistakes. let me know , last season against Duke of Kent on our beautiful green WE WON 10-0. I might take out the players names not to cause any embarrassment to them just show the scores & result………..let me think?……………SORRY MUST SHOW PLAYERS NAMES
rink1 David Figg Graham Lancaster Malcolm Whitehead LOST 14-24
rink 2 Paul Patten Graham Chapman Phil Broomfield.   LOST 19-20
rink 3 Ian Cuthbert Martin Salter Bill Mewis.           LOST. 15-22
rink4 Dave Smith Paul Rispoli Brian Ede.              LOST. 12-21
   I will leave it to you who has the most points I now have to take all score cards to the clubhouse for the WW management to check them MORE EMBARRASSMENT see you at ELTHAM next week (OR SOME OF YOU) Just come in from my allotment & garden things do look better after WED HEAVY DOWNPOUR.     Happy bowling         Brian

 MAY 6th 2022 - MESSAGE FROM LANCING B.C. AFTER OUR RECENT FRIENDLY

 I just wanted to let you know that our members all thoroughly enjoyed the whole day, not only the game, the weather, your ground but also the food and most of all your friendly players.  We look forward to welcoming you to Lancing in September. I can’t guarantee the weather I’m afraid but I can guarantee a warm welcome.  Many thanks again.  Pat Wadey  Secretary, Lancing Bowling Club

FIRST LX REPORT  2022 - Thank you team we win 8 - 2 home to WOODCROFT the only rink that lost was the managers,this season I think I will give the award to the rink who loses the most ,they will not get the champagne at the end of the season but a wooden spoon.   Below are the match details
Rink 1 Paul Rispoli Dave Smith Brian Ede.     Lost. 15 - 30.  WOODEN SPOON
Rink 2 Ian Cuthbert John Barnes Bill Mewis.   WON 15 - 12
Rink 4 David Figg Graham Lancaster Malcolm Whitehead WON 19 - 12
Rink 5 Martyn Grover Paul Rolfe Phil Broomfield WON 30 - 7
                         

TOTAL SHOTS.  79.    to.   61

This season I think I have about 35 bowlers in the squad who want to play in the L X which is far too many. llet me say now ,sorry to disappoint a lot of you who wont get a game or not many games this season but at WEST WICKHAM there is lots of other competitions & lots of bowling for you during the season so again SORRY. I have been told by the management if we don’t do the DOUBLE ( League & Ron Ault Cup) I WILL GET THE SACK so I have to pick what I think is the strongest team of 12
 PS I won’t mention the weather but it was - - - - - COLD. Again THANK YOU TEAM we only have another 18 matches.  Cheers Brian

INDOOR SEASON

We have two of our members who have done brilliantly at the Lewisham indoor finals this year.  Congratulations to Dave Smith who became the Crystal Palace singles champion winning his singles final, against David Singer, 20 - 21 after being  20 - 8 down.  Congratulations also to Ian Remedios who became the Lewisham singles champion  winning by 21 shots to 2 beating Alan Sayers.

Well done to both Dave and Ian, this adds to the West Wickham successes throughout the winter season.

Week ending 17th April

Friday 1st April - The final games of the Lewisham indoor leagues were played this evening.  Our West Wickham teams did exceptionally well on both Wednesday and Friday, winning both leagues.  Thanks to Dave Smith and Paul Patten for all their efforts in managing the teams.  They have provided an excellent summary of the leagues, click here to read the summary.

Week ending 3rd April

Saturday 12th March - Bingo night coming, the list is currently full.

Week ending 13th March

Saturday 5th March - West Wickham played our last indoor match of the season against Croydon Indoors.  The match was a 5 rink mixed game.  Unfortunately we lost Fatima Tanna at the last minute to Covid and this left Muriel Goringe as our only lady player, thank you Muriel!  However, we lost the game by 106 shots to 80 shots.  There were two highlights for the day with two winning rinks Richard Slater, John Urie and Glynne Goringe and Paul Rispoli, John Martin and David Figg.

Big thanks to Croydon for a warm welcome and to Sam their (and our) caterer for a lovely two course meal.

Friday 4th March - The Club ran two First Aid sessions, one in the morning the second in the afternoon.  The primary purpose of the sessions was to refresh member's skills surrounding the use of the defibrillator.  The sessions increased in size to include other items requested by members.  These included treating scolds and burns, choking and fitting.  The lady running the course did an excellent job and kept everybody engaged throughout the session.  

There is now a new list of members capable of using the defibrillator on the wall in the clubhouse next to the defibrillator.  We just hope we never have to use the machine!

Week ending 6th March