Match Results & Reports
Date: Wednesday 19th May 2021 Horsham Park Bowls Club Away to Felbridge Bowls Club
Competition: Mixed Friendly Score won: 61 to 54
Remarks: After all the wind and rain of the last few weeks, Horsham Park’s first game of the season was played on a warm and sunny afternoon away at Felbridge. Park were able to win on 2 rinks but lost on the third but still won overall by 7 shots, 61 to 54.
Park’s top rink was skipped by Kamran Nadim who with Eddie Hill, Norman Stone and Norma Covey were 7 shots all at the half time tea but in the second half came into their own, finally winning by 10 shots, 24 to 14. Park’s other winning rink, skipped by Bryony Wood, were 6 nil down after 5 ends but then won the next 7 ends, winning overall, 22 to 15. Park’s only losing rink were 11 to 9 up at end 11 but then went down by a 6 and a 4 on consecutive ends. This proved difficult to fight back from and although they won 4 of the next ends by 1 shot, they finally lost by 10 shots, 15 to 25.
Date: Thursday 20th May 2021 Horsham Park Bowls Club Away to: Horsham Bowls Club
Competition: Mixed Friendly Score: 40 to 43
Remarks: After the sunshine of the previous day, it was wet and windy when Horsham Park played away to Horsham Bowls Club. The game was cut short to 14 ends when it became impossible to play. In spite of the weather, Park won on 2 and lost on 2 rinks but in a close game, lost overall by 3 shots, 40 to 43. This game was the first leg of what has become known as the Town Challenge. The second leg will be played in the Park on Sunday 30th May.
Park’s top rink went to skip Kamran Nadim, Shirley Stone, Ian Holmes, and Jim Covey. Their game was pretty even, but Nadim’s team were able to win the last 4 ends, and winning by 5 shots, 13 to 8. Park’s other winning rink played one player short which is a small advantage. This rink skipped by Edd Banfield had a tight game which could have gone either way, but was still able to win by 4 shots, 11 to 7.
Park’s 2 losing teams, skipped by Bryony Wood and Frank Thomas, came up against some tough opposition, losing by 4 and 8 respectively.
Date: Saturday 22nd May 2021 Horsham Park Bowls Club Away to Albury Bowling Club
Competition: Mixed Friendly Score: 24 to 43
Remarks: Horsham Park struggled on the Albury green, which was heavy and unpredictable, when they played their away game, losing overall by 19 shots, 24 to 43.
The team skipped by Phil Claridge, who with David Spurr, Angela Spurr and Jim Covey, had a really close game where the lead changed hands several times. Claridge’s team were holding 3 winning shots on the last end when the Albury skip drew in to cut it down to 1, thus winning by 1 shot, 17 to 16.
Park’s other rink struggled from the start only winning 8 of the 21 ends and losing 8 shots to 26.
Date: Thursday 27th May 2021 Horsham Park Bowls Club Home to Downsman Bowls Club
Competition: Friendly Score: 58 to 67
Remarks: At long last the weather improved for Horsham Park’s home game against Downsman which made an enjoyable evening. In spite of Park’s best efforts, they lost the game by 9 shots, 58 to 67.
Park’s top rink went to skip Bryony Wood who with Eddie Hill and Norma Covey won 19 to 11. Although they were down 2 shots to Downsman’s 7 on end 8, they took 7 of the last 10 ends to win by 8 shots, 19 to 11.
Skip David Spurr had a very close game which could have gone either way. His team was 2 shots up as they went into the last end but the Downsman bowlers took the end by 3 shots to win by 1, 16 to 15.
Ian Holmes team were only 1 shot down on end 13 but then went down 10 over the last 5 ends, finally losing by 10 shots, 9 to 19.
David Peters’ team had a difficult start and were down 2 shots to 15 on end 8 after the Downsman bowlers took a 3, a 4 and a 5. From end 9 Peters’ team started their recovery but it was difficult to overcome the poor start. The team eventually lost by 6 shots, 15 to 21.
Date: Sunday 30th May 2021 Horsham Park Bowls Club Home to: Horsham Bowls Club
Competition: Mixed Friendly Score: 60 to 59
Remarks: Horsham Park played the return home fixture of the Town Challenge against Horsham Bowls Club in the Park on Bank Holiday Sunday. This is always a tough game with a lot of local rivalry. Unfortunately, Park won this leg by only 1 shot, 60 to 59 which meant that Park had to return the Town Challenge Trophy to Horsham having lost their away game by 3 shots. The overall result from both games was Horsham 102 against Park’s 100.
Park were only able to win on 2 of the 4 rinks. Park’s top rink went to skip Phil Claridge who with Edd Banfield, John Leadbeater and Marie Davies recovered from being 7 to 11 down on end 10, taking every one of the final ends and winning by 10 shots, 21 to 11.
Bryony Wood skipped Park’s other winning rink. This was a much closer game with the lead changing throughout the game, but Wood’s team hung on to win by 2 shots, 13 to 11.
David Peter’s team had a difficult start going down 9 shots over the first 8 ends. This proved difficult to fight back from and Peters’ team finally losing by 11shots to 18.
Frank Thomas skipped Park’s other losing team, which was a much closer game but Thomas team still lost by 4 shots, 15 to 19.
This competition helps to keeps bowls alive in the town.
Date: Monday 31st May 2021
Horsham Park Bowls Club Open Day
Remarks: Horsham Park held their first Open Day of the season on a gloriously sunny Bank Holiday Monday. Park had a number of activities planned to promote the game of bowls. There was target bowls and a competition to see which of the potential new bowlers could get nearest the jack. In addition, there were demonstration games going on throughout the day. Tea and cakes were provided for everyone.
It was amazing to see how many local people turned up all showing an interest in playing bowls, mind you the tea and cake may have helped. Many of them were taken onto the green and shown the basics of bowling.
Park were able to sign up 4 new members on the day and many others took details and membership application forms away with them.
It was a great day seeing everyone making the most of the sunshine and showing an interest in bowls. Bowls is a game enjoyed by people of all ages with varying degrees of skills. Anyone interested in joining our small, friendly club should contact Club Secretary Phil Claridge on (01403) 230962 or 07810 660262. All equipment and training can be provided to anyone interested in playing bowls.
Date: Thursday 3rd June 2021
Horsham Park Bowls Club home to Dorking Bowls Club
Competition: Mixed Friendly Score: 56 to 79
Remarks: Horsham Park lost their home game against Dorking by 23 shots, 56 to 79. Park had to make a number of last minute changes to the teams as some of the selected bowlers had to play their county competitions. The Park bowlers were only able to win on1 of the 4 rinks.
Park’s top team went to skip Kamran Nadim once again. Nadim with Angela Spurr and Marie Davies dominated their game winning all but 6 of the ends and by 17 shots, 28 to 11.
Skip Bryony Wood’s team were 14 shots all on end 15 but then lost the last 3 ends by 5 shots, finally losing 14 to 19. Park’s other 2 rinks came up against some tough opposition, both losing by substantial margins.
Date: Saturday 5th June 2021
Horsham Park Bowls Club Away to Billingshurst Bowls Club
Competition: Mixed Friendly Score: 55 to 41
Remarks: On another sunny Saturday afternoon Horsham Park took on and won their away game at Billingshurst, winning by 14 shots, 55 to 41. Park won on 2 of the 3 rinks and losing by only one shot on the third.
Park’s top rink went to skip Phil Claridge who, with Captain David Turley and Beryl Noble, were 9 shots all on end 13 but then went on to win 4 of the last 5 ends to finally win by 9 shots, 19 to 10.
Edd Banfield skipped Park’s other winning rink. Banfield’s team maintained their lead for most of the game, winning by 19 shots to 13.
Bryony Wood skipped Park’s only losing rink going down by only 1 shot, 17 to 18. The game was so close that it could have gone either way right up until the last end which the Billingshurst bowlers took by the 1 shot which won the game.
Date: Tuesday 8th June 2021
Horsham Park Bowls Club Away to Isle of Thorns Bowls Club
Competition: Mid-Sussex County League Score: 38 to 69
Remarks: Horsham Park lost their Mid-Sussex League game home against Isle of Thorns Bowls Club. It was not one of Park’s better performances as they were only able to win on 1 of the 3 rinks and losing overall by 31 shots, 38 to 69 and gaining only 2 of the 10 points available. Park’s only winning rink was skipped by Club Captain, David Turley, who with Edd Banfield, David James and Sheila Howard won by 9 shots, 19 to 10. Park’s 2 losing rinks both came up against some tough opposition, both losing by significant margins.
Date:Thursday 10th June 2021
Horsham Park Bowls Club Men Home to Godstone Bowls Club Men
Competition: Border League Score: 48 to 45
Remarks: The hot spell continued when Horsham Park played and won their home Border League game against Godstone by only 3 shots, 48 to 45. Park was only able to win on one of the 3 rinks but still took 6 of the 10 available points.
The win was mainly due to the efforts of Captain Frank Thomas’ team of Ian Holmes, David Spurr and David James who played consistently to win by 10 shots, 21 to 11.
The rink skipped by David Turley fought back from being down 10 shots on end 10, 1 shot to Godstone’s 11, to finally lose by only 2 shots, 15 to 17.
Phil Claridge skipped Park’s third rink. Claridge, who had one of Park’s new bowlers, Mark Tournoff, playing for the first time, came up against stiff opposition, losing by 5 shots, 12 to 17.
Date: Sunday 13th June 2021
Horsham Park Bowls Club Home to Handcross Bowls Club
Competition: Mixed Friendly Score: 50 to 44
Remarks: Park played Sunday’s home game against Handcross in extremely hot and humid conditions. Because of the heat, the 2 Captains agreed beforehand to curtail the game to 18 ends but even so towards the end of the game, there were some very weary bowlers. Park won on 2 of the 3 rinks and by 6 shots, 50 to 44. All 3 games were extremely close and could have gone either way.
Park’s top rink was skipped by Kamran Nadim, who with Angela Spurr, Brenda Thompson, and Marie Davies, were only 1 shot up on end 14 but won 3 of the last 4 ends to win by 4 shots, 18 to 14.
Park’s other winning rink, skip David Spurr, Shirley Stone, Sheila Howard, and Beryl Noble, had an incredibly close game. They were 2 shots up as they went into the last end, but the Handcross bowlers were holding 3 shots when Spurr, with his last bowl, touched the jack to take one shot to finally win by 3 shots, 16 to 13.
In yet another close game, Park’s third rink skipped by David Peters’ were 13 to 17 down with 2 ends to play but took 3 shots from the last 2 ends to lose by only 1 shot, 16 to 17.
Date: Tuesday 15th June 2021
Horsham Park Bowls Club Away to Handcross Bowls Club
Competition: Mid-Sussex League Score: 43 to 46
Remarks: In yet another closely fought game, Horsham Park lost their Mid-Sussex League game away against Handcross. On their home ground, Handcross were able to overturn their recent loss at the Park. In spite of winning on 2 of the 3 rinks, Park lost by 3 shots, 43 to 46 overall and gaining only 4 of the 10 points available.
Park’s top rink went to skip David Turley who with David and Angela Spurr plus Sheila Howard were 6 shots all on end 10 but were able to win 6 of the last 8 ends to finally win by 4 shots, 14 to 10.
Frank Thomas’ team of David Peters, Kamran Nadim and Brenda Thompson had a great start and were 6 shots up on end 9, they then lost their momentum for a couple of ends but were still able to win by 2 shots, 17 to 15.
Bryony Wood’s team came up against some stiff opposition and went down by 9 shots.
Date: Sunday 20th June 2021
Horsham Park Bowls Club Home to Pippbrook Bowls Club - Dorking
Competition: Mixed Friendly Score: 55 to 69
Remarks: Horsham Park lost their home game against Pippbrook Bowls Club by 14 shots, 55 to 69. Pippbrook were only able to bring 10 bowlers, so Park loaned them a bowler. This meant that there was one pairs game and three triples.
Park’s only winning rink was the pair of Captain David Turley and Angela Spurr who started badly and on end 8 were down by 11 shots, 2 to 13. At this point the game changed, the Park pair got into their stride, winning all bar 2 of the remaining 10 ends and overall by 2 shots, 22 to 20.
David Spurr with Brenda Thompson and Barbara Rowe had a close game which could have gone either way. Often when the Park team were holding, the Pippbrook skip came in to take out Park’s holding shot to win the end. Spurr’s team finally lost by 3 shots, 12 to 15.
Edd Banfield’s team of Ian Holmes and Beryl Noble came up against the Pippbrook team with Park’s loaned bowler, Phil Claridge. At the half way point, the Park bowlers were 2 shots up, 7 to 5, but they couldn’t maintain the momentum taking only 6 shots to Pippbrook’s 13 over the last 9 ends to lose by 5 shots, 13 to 18.
Date: Tuesday 22nd June 2021
Horsham Park Bowls Club Away to Crowborough Wolfe Bowls Club
Competition: Mid-Sussex League Score: 62 to 51
Remarks: Horsham Park enjoyed a good win in their Mid-Sussex League game away against Crowborough Wolfe, who are currently top of their division. Park won on 2 of the 3 rinks and by 62 shots to 51. This win earned Park 8 points from the 10 available. The weather overnight and during the morning made the game in doubt but fortunately it cleared up enough to enable the game to be played but there was still a cold wind blowing.
Park’s top rink was skipped by Frank Thomas who, with David James, Angela Spurr and Beryl Noble won by 16 shots, 26 to 10. The win was helped by Thomas’ lead, Beryl Noble, who was able to get close to the jack on most ends which put the Crowborough bowlers onto the back foot from the start.
Skip David Turley’s team of David Spurr, Kamran Nadim and Sheila Howard had a tough start on the heavy, damp green and were down 8 shots, 4 to 12 on end 11 but the game turned at this point and Turley’s team won 6 of the last 7 ends taking 19 shots to win by 9 shots 23 to 14.
Bryony Wood’s team came up against stiff opposition, the Crowborough skip turning over Park’s holding shots on a number of occasions. Wood’s team finally lost 13 to 27.
Date:Thursday 24th June 2021
Horsham Park Bowls Club Men Away to Newdigate Bowls Club Men
Competition: Border League Score: 37 to 73
Remarks: It was grey and overcast but the rain held off when Horsham Park played and lost their Border League game away against Newdigate by 36 shots, 37 to 73, losing on all 3 rinks.
On the heavy green, David Turley with David Peters, Kamran Nadim and David Spurr had the closest game. They were 12 to 7 up on end 12 but with only 6 ends to go, they lost the next 5 ends which enabled the Newdigate bowlers to finally win by 5 shots.
In a reverse of Turley’s game, skip Phil Claridge with Edd Banfield and new bowler Mark Tournoff plus John Leadbeater fought back from 4 shots to 14 down on end 10 but, in spite of the fight back, they still lost by 4 shots, 15 to 19.
Frank Thomas’ team came up against the Newdigate Captain who with his team dominated the game from the start, winning the majority of the ends and by 27 shots, 35 to 8.
Date: Tuesday 29th June 2021
Horsham Park Bowls Club Home to Rotherfield Bowls Club
Competition: Mid-Sussex League Score: 58 to 40
Remarks: Horsham Park had another successful win when they played their Mid-Sussex League game home against Rotherfield Bowls Club. Park won on 2 of the 3 rinks and drew the third, gaining 9 of the 10 points available.
Once again Frank Thomas skipped Park’s top rink. Thomas with David Peters, Angela Spurr and Sheila Howard dominated their game from the start
and were 18 to 6 up by end 11. Thomas team continued in the same vein to finally win by 10 shots, 23 to 13.
The team skipped by Bryony Wood, consisting of Phil Claridge, David Spurr and Jim Covey played well but lost a bit of ground in the middle of the game but were still able to win by 8 shots, 20 to 12.
David Turley skipped Park’s drawing rink. Turley’s team of Kamran Nadim, Brenda Thompson and John Leadbeater had a slow start and by end 9 were losing by 4 shots to Rotherfield’s 11. At the half-way point, the team started their fight back, winning all bar 2 of the final 9 ends to draw their game15 shots all.
Date:Thursday 1st July 2021
Horsham Park Bowls Club Men Home to Reigate Priory Bowls Club Men
Competition: Border League Score: 48 to 44
The evening started with heavy rain but it soon cleared up when Horsham Park played their home Border League game against the men of Reigate Priory. Although Park lost on 2 of the 3 rinks, the winning rink gave a sufficient margin so that Park were able to win the game overall by 4 shots, 48 to 44, taking 6 of the 10 league points available. Park’s top and only winning rink, skipped by Phil Claridge who with Edd Banfield, Mark Tournoff and David Spurr played a determined game from the start to win convincingly by 12 shots, 24 to 12.
The rink skipped by Frank Thomas was well up, 13 shots to 8, on end 13, but then the Reigate bowlers fought back taking the next 4 ends, including 5 shots on end 17, to win by 4 shots, 18 to Park’s 14.
Skip David Turley’s team were behind from the start but kept the margin close to lose by 4 shots, 10 to 14.
Date: Saturday 3rd July 2021
Horsham Park Bowls Club Home to Crawley Town Bowls Club
Competition: Mixed Friendly Score: 81 to 54
Remarks: After the heavy rain overnight and during the morning, the weather cleared up in the afternoon for Horsham Park’s home game against Crawley Town. Park won on 3 of the 4 rinks and by a substantial 27 shots, 81 to 54.
Park’s top rink was skipped by Phil Claridge who with Angela Spurr and Beryl Noble, took the lead in the early stage of the game and scored consistently to win by 15 shots, 25 to 10.
Captain David Spurr with Brenda Thompson and Peter Schlotter also had a convincing win and were 20 shots to 8 up as they went into the last end which the Crawley bowlers took by 4 shots. This reduced Spurr’s winning margin to 8 shots, 20 to 12.
David Peters’ team of Kamran Nadim and Sheila Howard had a similar experience to Spurr’s team and were 23 to 10 up with 2 ends to play but went down by 2 and 6 shots to finally win 23 to 18.
Bryony wood skipped Park’s only losing rink. This was a game that could have gone either way with the lead changing throughout the game. The score was 13 all as they went into the last end which the Crawley bowlers took by 1 shot to win 14 to 13.
Date: Thursday 8th July 2021
Horsham Park Bowls Club Men Away to Dorking Bowls Club Men
Competition: Border League Score: 45 to 48
Remarks: Park’s away game at St Francis was cancelled earlier in the week due to their green being waterlogged so it was a relief when the game against the Dorking men was able to proceed. After the morning rain, the weather cleared up for the Border League game away at Dorking. In spite of winning on 2 of the 3 rinks, Park lost the game by 3 shots, 45 to 48 gaining only 4 of the 10 points available.
Park’s top rink went to skip Phil Claridge who with Edd Banfield, Mark Tournoff and John Leadbeater had a slow start and were 6 shots down after 6 ends but then the recovery started. Tournoff, a new bowler, had a good game and contributed significantly to the win. Claridge’s team dominated the remainder of the game, winning all bar 4 ends and finally by 9 shots, 23 to 14. Park’s other winning rink, skip David Turley, David Spurr, Kamran Nadim and Jim Covey, were 10 shots all with 3 ends to play but then won all 3 to win by 5 shots, 15 to 10.
Unfortunately, the 2 winning rinks couldn’t make up for the losing third rink which went down 7 to 24, the Dorking skip overturning Park’s holding shots on many of the ends.
Date: Saturday 17th July 2021
Horsham Park Bowls Club Home to Lindfield Bowls Club
Competition: Mixed Friendly Score: 58 to 58
Report: On one of hottest afternoons so far this year, when temperatures reached 29oC, Horsham Park were able to draw their home game against Linfield, 58 all. Park won on 2 and lost on 2 rinks.
Park’s top rink went once again to Phil Claridge who with Brenda Thompson and Ian Wilson were down 1 shot on end 11 but then took control of the game to win by 6 shots, 21 to 15.
Park’s other winning rink was skipped by Captain David Turley. Turley with John Leadbeater and Beryl Noble had a much closer game which could have gone either way, but they were still able to win by 2 shots, 13 to 11.
Bryony Wood with Jim Covey and Barbara Rowe were behind for most of the game but came back to 15 all with 2 ends to play. Unfortunately, they lost these 2 ends and lost overall by 3 shots, 15 to 18.
The Lindfield skip playing opposite David Spurr was an English International disabled bowler who despite her disability had an amazing game. In spite of Spurr’s team’s best efforts they lost by 5 shots, 9 to 14, the Lindfield skip overturning Park’s holding shots on many ends.
COMPETITION REPORTS
Triples Competition – 11th July 2021
A total of 5 teams entered Park’s Triples Competition but with illness and tickets to a certain football match happening the same day it was reduced to 4 teams. A round robin format took place with no team playing on the same rink twice.
All teams were evenly match and a number was drawn at random for their playing order. At the lunchtime break teams were very close in points with only one more round to play. Winner of the competition was Ian Wilson, Shirley Stone and David Turley with 18 points and runners-up Jim Covey, Beryl Noble and David Spurr only 2 points behind.
The event was watched by some of our ex-bowlers and social members. A great day was had by all.
Australian Pairs – 18th July 2021
On the hottest day of the year when temperatures were reaching 30oC, 6 pairs took part in the Australian Pairs Competition in a round robin format. In order to give the bowlers some respite from the heat, each game was reduced to 4 ends, with time for a cool drink in the shade before the next round. Going into the final round there was only 2 points separating 4 teams and all to play for. Two teams finished on 19 points so an aggregate of shots for and against were taken into account. The winners were Barbara Rowe and Edd Banfield with +11 with Kamran Nadim and Jim Covey on +3. All were looking forward to cooling off at home for the rest of the afternoon!
Date: Tuesday 20th July 2021
Horsham Park Bowls Club Home to Handcross Bowls Club
Competition: Mid-Sussex League Score: 44 to 47
Remarks: The heat continued with temperatures into the thirties for Horsham Park’s return home Mid-Sussex League game against Handcross. Unfortunately, the game was just as close as the away game earlier in the season with Park losing once again by just 3 shots, 44 to 47. Park won on only 1 of the 3 rinks and gained only 2 of the 10 points available.
Park’s top and only winning rink went to skip David Turley who with Edd Banfield, Kamran Nadim and Sheila Howard took an early lead which they were able to maintain for the rest of the game to win by 7 shots, 19 to 12.
Bryony Wood’s team of Phil Claridge, David Spurr and Brenda Thompson had a poor start and were down 9 shots to nil by end 6 but then their recovery started and as they went into the last end, they were only 1 shot down. As the skips went up to bowl, Park were holding 1 shot but the Handcross skip with his last bowl was able to draw right onto the jack to win the game by 2 shots, 18 to 16.
Frank Thomas’ team struggled from the start and never really got going. They eventually lost by 8 shots, 9 to 17.
Date: Wednesday 21st July 2021
Horsham Park Bowls Club Away to St Francis Bowls Club
Competition: Mid-Sussex League
Score: 41 to 61
Remarks: The heat and humidity continued for Horsham Park’s re-arranged Mid-Sussex League game away against St Francis. Unfortunately, the evening turned into something of a disaster for the Park bowlers. Park lost on all 3 rinks and by 20 shots, 42 to 61. This game against St Francis, who are still top of the division, was Park’s worst league performance of the season.
Park’s equal best performing rink was led by Bryony Wood. Wood with Edd Banfield, David Spurr and Sheila Howard were 8 shots all on end 9, 12 shots all on end 12 and, would you believe, 13 shots all on end 14 but in spite of the close game all the way through, they lost by 5 shots, 14 to 19. Wood’s skilful bowling rescued the Park team on a number of ends when she was able to draw straight onto the jack to take the end.
Park’s other rink losing by 5 shots, 15 to 20, was skipped by Frank Thomas who with David Peters, Kamran Nadim and Brenda Thompson had another close game but wasn’t able to better the St Francis bowlers.
Park’s final losing rink skipped by David Turley had a poor start and were down 6 shots to 20 on end 12 but they then got into their stride taking the next 5 ends but unfortunately couldn’t close the gap and lost by 12 to 22. Perhaps a few more ends would have helped.