Oakham BC – Game 10

Saturday 11th June  –  Oakham Bowls Club.

Oakham and Friends’ players looking forward to their game

The journey began in full sun, but approaching Rutland Water, and Oakham Bowls Club,  clouds were in abundance.  Fortunately the clouds produced only a few spots during the game and most of the time we played in sunshine, as it should be for an outside sport in Summer!

We were welcomed with tea and biscuits and introduced to Rutland’s Vice President Graham Cole and Captain Alan Jones.  Alan remembered the Friends visiting back in 2010 for their Centenary year.

When you see a bowl of sweets at the end of each rink you know that Pat Geary is playing

The game started with 3 rinks shooting off into a lead that reached 41 – 13 at 10 ends and a fourth rink also in front.  After that Oakham started to get back into the game which finished 105 – 110 win for Oakham with Friends winning on two rinks only.   We were all ready for the after match meal.

It was then time for speeches and I was able to tell them a little bit about the Friends achievements and our purpose in bowls.  We had players from 11 counties at this game,  including 5 from the Friends Committee and BE Immediate Past President Paul Robson.

The top rink for Friends :Barbara Battam  (Cambs), Richard Peyton (Cambs), Paul Robson (Hampshire), Jenny Ralph (Bedfordshire).  The Top rink from Oakham: Derek Bury, Mike Shalder, Gail Robertson, Denis Smith

You may notice that there is one missing face in the photos.  Richard Somerton was top rink Captain in the last three games but today he was highest losing rink.  I am sure he will be trying to get back on top in his next game.

I presented the Certificate of our visit to Graham and Alan and thanked all the catering staff, bar staff, green staff for a very good green to bowl on and all other members who had helped to make it a great day.

Finally all players stood and gave a rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ to Mike Skerry a ‘Friend’ who was another year older although not as old as the club.

Mike Bertrand

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