Match Report: N.E. League Division 2. 28/06/24
BAC v Redland Green 51-45; 6-4 👏
The following report was written by Pete Jones:
After last night, I fully expected to be writing this back in 2nd place, but bowls is a funny old game, and Page Park lost heavily 10-0 to GBB whom we beat 10-0 last week, and so we are still on top with Olveston now in 2nd.
On Nigel’s rink, with Mike W, Bruce and Vince, we were in control for most of the time, though we got a bit stuck in the middle, spending 7 ends on 7 and then 9. But then pulled away again and secured a deserved 13-12 win.
On Ian’s rink, with Dave H, Rick and Pete, we built up a confident 9-5 lead after 6, but then BAC took the next 4. We did claw back a little, but a 5 on the 15th effectively ended the rink as a contest, but, being mindful of the overall score, we were confident as we held 4 shots on the last. However, their skip, who had played well all evening, had other ideas and pinched it with the very last wood! 15-23.
On Dave Sunter’s rink, with Mark, Dave E (making a very welcome return) and Phil, it was very even throughout, and, despite a very encouraging 4 on the 1st, it was 9-9 after 9. The second half followed a similar pattern before we held on for a 17-16 win.
Match Report: Bristol & District League Division 1 28/06/24
Home v Page Park: Won 53-39 8 points 👏
The following report was written by Kevin French:
After our mid season break, we seemed to start this game in a “relaxed” mode which meant that at one point it looked as though we were heading for a defeat, then perhaps 4 points, but we eventually turned things around to register a win, to return to the top of Division 1 (although it was the rest week for Willmott Park).
On Jim’s “steady eddy” rink with Will, Trev and Andy not quite so steady this week and were always behind, but with the exception of losing a 5, conceded only 1’s and 2’s to keep the deficit manageable and gave the other 2 rinks a chance to make up the difference, (and this is what team games are about) ended 13-18.
On RKJ ‘s rink with Mike, Jake and Calvin went ahead early on, with Calvin having an excellent game (he told me to put this in the report and as I’m clinging to my place am happy to suck up to our beloved captain! 👨✈️), Page Park pulled back to only 2 adrift, but we then won 7 ends on the trot to finish 24-8.
On Josh’s rink with Larry, Keith and Kev were behind at end 11 but ground out the last few ends to go into the last end 4 up, at which point Kev announced “let’s not be idiots and drop a 4” – so then Josh went to the mat 4 down!
But with two great drawing woods Josh managed to cut the score to one down and the rink won 16-13.
In the end a comfortable won by 14 shots; we were 11 down at 9 ends ,only 4 up at 13 when it still could have gone either way, but currently we are bowling well enough and with enough confidence to win these games that a couple of years ago we may well have lost. 👍
Glos 2 rink on Sunday (at Frampton on Severn) and on Monday Clarence Davy Cup away at Avonvale, before we return to the league next Thursday away at GB Brittons.
P.S. Thanks to Jim Greg, Mike Tarr and Wendy for their support. 😁
Match Report: NE League Division 2 20/06/24
GB Britton C v Redland Green 35-49; 0-10
The following report was written by Pete Jones (back from his holiday!)
On Nigel’s rink, with Mike W, Barry, and Dave S, we seemed to be building a solid lead, 7-4 after 10, but it became a lot tighter until 3s on ends 15 and the last secured the win, 14-10. There were several shots of note, but particularly Barry’s wick on the last end!
On Ian’s rink, with Dave H, Rick and Pete, we raced into a 0-6 deficit after the first 2 ends, but then 7 steady, if unspectacular, ends brought us back into contention. After trading a couple of 3s, we finally edged it 15-13.
On Nicky’s rink, with Jake, Bruce (making a welcome return) and Derek (making his 2nd league appearance this season-no report last week), we were in control throughout, and a 4 on the 16th made absolutely sure of the win.
This was a great result, and very much down to the supportive ethos within the club, meaning that we can put out a strong NE team every week. Every single player contributed to this result.
Table now published , we have 69 points and are in first place , but Page park are hot on our heels with 68 points .
Match Report: Top Club 19/06/24
GB Brittons Away: Lost 1-4
A slightly shortened report due to 3 reasons
1 I haven’t got any scorecards.
2 Re-examining the results this morning I’m slightly depressed.
3 I’m fed up writing match reports!
Editor’s Note: Let’s hope the members aren’t!
A disappointing evening where we did not run GB’s as close as I would have hoped.
Josh in the 4 wood singles won, and Andy was very close in the 2 wood taking theme to the last end.
Pairs, triples and fours all went behind early on and never really recovered.
GBs bowled better than us on the night and we wish them all the best in the next round (Gloucestershire semi final) v Olveston.
Singles Josh. 21-12
2 wood Andy. 12-15
Pairs Will / Jake 5-18
Triples Jim/ Trev / Mark 10-23
Fours Rkj/Mike I/Nigel/Kev 13-16
As I said, disappointing, but lots of important games still to play, and after our “rest week” this Thursday, we can get back on song next week.
Match Report: Miscellaneous 19/06/24
The following was written by Kevin French:
Glos Two rink “A” Team v Tewkesbury, Saturday 15/06/24
Firstly, for what it’s worth match report for this match (for the records really)
Lost 21 – 38
After a good week for Redland, this was a bit of a damp squib.
Both rinks went behind early on and never recovered.
For the record;
Ian with Nigel, Mike and Phil. 11-19
RKJ with Calvin, Kev and Dave H. 10-19
Lloyd Trophy and NW Cup, 18/06/24
With both Redland league teams playing at home last night, there was a real buzz around the green, but unfortunately only one team progressed to the next round of the two competitions being played.
North East League Cup v Kingswood and Hanham Lost 44-61
Kingswood and Hanham are a very strong team in this league (containing 3 Leamington qualifiers) and to lose to them is no disgrace.
On Wendy’s rink with Dave S, Phil and Mike W kept in touch most of the way, winning more ends than the opposition but couldn’t quite get in front and ended 14-22.
On Ian’s rink with Vince, Rick and Mark D with a very good start again kept in touch, but dropped an unfortunate 6 on end 14. However by this time the match was drifting away so this probably didn’t make any difference and we ended 12-27.
On Nick’s rink with Nigel, Barry and Dave H won the first 6 ends to be 9 nil up, were pegged back to level, however a 6 was picked up on end 16 and they finished a very respectable 18-13.
Good try everyone.
Lloyd Trophy (B&D Cup) v Bristol won 58-31
Unfortunately due to clashes with Somerset comps Bristol were forced to field a team with a number of their top players missing, but you can only play against what’s in front of you, and a win against Bristol is still pleasing.
On Josh’s rink with Larry (returning from a months “sabbatical” – although the way he’s been playing we think he’s been on an a months intensive bowls training course, not on holiday), Jake (who the way he played tonight looked like he’d been on the same course as Larry) and Kev (who obviously hadn’t been on the course!) from 7-3 up at end 4 only conceded one further end to “power” on to a 28-5 win.
Editor’s Note: With all the praise for Larry I did see a wrong bias on this rink but no names no pack drill 😉
With a rink leading by this score it’s easy for the other rinks to get lulled into a false sense of security and it is important for the others to keep the pressure on.
Jim’s rink with Will, Trev and Andy the usual steady performance led to a 18-13 victory.
On Keith’s rink (Keith making his skipping debut in the B&D team and having an excellent game) with Calvin, Mike and RKJ were in front from the start and finished very competent 15-13 winners.
Well done all, away to Begbrook in the next round (Tuesday 16th July).
Next fixture Top Club at GB’s this evening.
PS Congratulations to Josh who has been selected as a skip for the Gloucestershire game v Hereford on Saturday.
Match Report: Bristol & District League Div 1: June 13th
Away v Willmott Park: Won (just!) 44-43 8 points
The following report was written by Kevin French:
Away to Willmott is always going to be tough, and with weather conditions threatening to be dire I don’t think we were looking forward to the match
Editor’s Note: It was like a night in September – freezing cold and wet. The coldest mid June evening I have ever known!!!
For the game the rain was as bad as predicted, but we won and so travelled home in better spirits than we arrived!
On RKJ’s rink with Mike, Calvin and a returning Phil we went behind early on, picked up a 4 to get things closer, drifted away again, but as things looked as though they may get out of hand kept the deficit down, which had importance to what was happening on the other 2 rinks – ended 10-21.
On Josh’s rink with Mark, Keith and Kev, again went behind 6 nil down, but then tactically moving the mat for short jack’s, won 10 consecutive ends to be 18-7 up, with the game now close it wasn’t a good time to concede a 5 on end 16 but after a slow start to win 19-12 was a good result.
On Jim’s rink with Will, Trev and Andy, another slow start to be 6 nil down, in fact across the 3 rinks Redland were 3-19 down at 4 ends, which makes our win all the more impressive. This rink then staged its usual comeback and picking up a game changing 5 on end 16 went into the last end all square (the first time they weren’t behind during the whole game and the overall match tied). With both teams looking we were shot down when our opponents skip bowled an unfortunate wood which pushed Andy’s up for shot to us and we ended winning by one.
Editor’s Note: I’d like to say that I left that wood short tactically but it was, in fact, just a poor wood 😉
No league game next week, but with Glos 2 rink “B” team on Saturday, Lloyd Trophy v Bristol on Tuesday and Top Club away at GB’s on Wednesday, a lot to play for in the coming week.
HALF TERM REPORT
Having reached half way through the league season we find ourselves riding high at the top of Division 1 and with the North East team second in their division, things are coming along nicely.
My first match report focused on setting our sights higher than just avoiding relegation, but I don’t think any of us would have thought that at this stage we would be top, (we have played one extra game than the other teams, but at this moment we are where we are).
If we can keep up the impetus and good spirit in the whole club there is no reason why this shouldn’t be a successful year for Redland.
Well done all.
P.S I’m sure the whole club will join me in wishing Calvin, Roger (subbing for Mark who unfortunately isn’t available for this game) and Josh all the best wishes for success in the Glos triples semi final tonight (at Bishops Cleeve). A win will book their place to the National Finals at Leamington.
Also the very best of luck to Josh for his game for Gloucestershire against Dorset on Saturday at Cheltenham BC.
Match Report: Top Club: 09/06/24
Top Club v Kingswood and Hanham won 3-2
This is what bowls is all about, an exciting game with us just piping our opponents by one on the last end of both singles (it’s only exciting of course, if you win!)
As we know the 2 singles are key to this comp.
Andy in the 2 woods was always behind, 6 down at 16 ends, but as many players at Redland have learnt over the years Andy is never out of it in a 2 wood comp and getting 4 consecutive singles went into the last end 2 down then playing a great shot to push the opponents wood through the head managed to put the game into an extra end, and bowling a reasonable “dapper “sneaked in” for a well fought back win 15-14.
Editor’s Note: My task might have been easier if I hadn’t bowled a wrong bias early on which really is unforgivable in a two wood…..
Meanwhile in the 4 bowl singles:
Josh went in front early on but was slowly pegged back and the score was 18-20 down when holding a single then played a brilliant?/brave?/foolhardy? shot to pull the jack back 6 inches for a 2.
So we went into the last end all square 20-20 and with all the other rinks focusing on this game and not their own, Josh was 3 down but with his last wood (which this time was brilliant) bowled through a gap of a foot, trailed the jack, stayed with it for one and the game.
These 2 wins set us up for the match.
In the pairs with Will and Calvin didn’t start well and it didn’t seem to get better as the game went on with an eventual loss 4-25 (one of those games chaps?)
This wasn’t particularly worrying as on Jim’s rink with Trev and Mark went off like a rocket and carried on to the stratosphere to record a 27-8 win, conceded by our opponents on end 16 as they couldn’t mathematically then recover.
On R K Jones rink with Mike, Nigel and Kev, all struggled to be 6-12 down at 12 ends at which point Kev announced “look chaps nobody has been watching us up to now so they don’t know how crap we’ve bowled so now they are looking we better get down to it” (although to be fair to Rog he had bowled 3 or 4 very good trailing shots to save/ get shot). This “pep? talk” seemed to work and we won the next 4 ends to go 13-12 in front, unfortunately conceding a 3 on end 17 left the score 13-15 to K&H, but at this point nobody was concerned as the match was in the bag.
Well done.
Away to GB Britton in the next round – date to be arranged.
Finally thanks to the K&H ladies for providing sandwiches etc after the match.
PS All the best to Josh, Calvin and Mark in their Glos Triples Quarter Final tonight (at Cheltenham Bowls Club).
Match Report: NE League Division 2: 06/06/24
Page Park v Redland Green (Away) – Lost 44-50 (2 Points)
The following report was written by Pete Jones:
This was a top of the table clash!! And a sunny evening!
On Nigel’s rink, with Mike W, Barry, and Nick, it was definitely them/us, us/them, them/us, before securing a 14-14 draw.
On Ian’s rink, with Phil, Alan and Pete, we were 16-5 down after 12 ends, but a 7 on the 15th brought us right back into contention, and we were disappointed not to have won on the last end. However, a 17-17 draw was probably a fair reflection.
On Jake’s rink, with Dave H, Wendy and Vince, all was fairly even after the first 8, but then they pushed on to 16-8, and although we pulled back a little, it ended as a 13-19 loss.
(This is my last report for a couple of weeks, as we have a week booked in Italy on the 18th.)
Match Report: Bristol & District Division 1 06/06/24
Redland v Bristol (Home) – Lost 46-55 (3 Points)
The following report was written by Kevin French:
We welcomed our old friends from Bristol Bowls Club to Redland, but unfortunately they weren’t very friendly by then beating us.
And with Willmott Park winning last night we slip down to second place in the table (although other teams have a game in hand) and our “rest week” follows our game against Willmott next week.
Losing to Bristol is no great shame, they remain a very strong club and picking up 3 points is useful in our quest to be towards (top?) of Division 1.
On Jim’s rink with Will, Trev and Andy, once again this “steady Eddy” rink did what they had to do and put 2 points in the bag for us. Dropping a 5 on end 9 we went behind, but as so very often they then focused on a steady comeback, winning 6 out of the last 8 ends to finish 17-14 in front.
You know, for the rest of the team looking across, its very confidence building to look at this rink and think “yes they’re going to win” and this is what this unit seems to achieve week in week out.
On Josh’s rink with Mark, Keith and Kev this “competent unit” (referred to last week) wasn’t very competent tonight!
With Jason Ovens (a past club member) not being very nice to his old team and having a game at Lead which he described as being his best for years, we were always chasing the game in what became a frustrating evening and dropping a 6 on end 16 (chasing shots) didn’t help with the final score 6-28.
To the rink and all the team generally – these games happen, it doesn’t mean you’ve suddenly become bad bowlers, you put it behind you and come out strong next time.
Over on RKJ’s rink with Mike I, Calvin and Jon didn’t have the best of starts conceding a 5 on end 2 but (and another of my “pearls of wisdom “- coming up,) if you’re going to drop a count do it early on in the game to give a chance of recovering.
And this is what happened, we drew level at 13 ends then traded singles over the last 4 to gain a hard fought draw: 13-13.
Away to Willmott Park next week for a top of the table clash, a win will put us back in pole position in the League.