A Great Game at Popes Mead

Sunday 21st June 2026

Ready for the off

Our second Sussex-area fixture took us to Popes Mead Bowling Club, tucked just west of Crawley—close enough to Gatwick that the occasional low‑flying aircraft added its own “aerodynamic challenge” to proceedings. It also happened to be Father’s Day and the longest day of the year, but neither proved an excuse for anything other than a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon of bowling.

With one Friends rink already short, our thanks go to Alan Terry of Popes Mead for stepping in to help on another rink, ensuring all players could take to the green. A rink from Downsman BC also joined the match on behalf of Popes Mead, adding to the friendly mix of teams.

The weather was glorious, the green in excellent condition, and the bowling reflected it. The Friends produced a strong performance, finishing with a 116–84 win and taking four rinks to Popes Mead’s two.

After the match, everyone enjoyed an excellent lunch—lasagne followed by a refreshing lemon tart and fruit—before Popes Mead’s Captain of the Day, Simon Scholfield, offered his thanks for the Friends’ visit. He then presented prizes to his top-performing rink: Andrew Bond, Andrew Currie, Jen Hammond and Mark Jones.

: Friends Top Rink

: Popes Mead’s Top Rink

Losers!

The baton was then passed to Neil Fletcher, Friends Captain of the Day, who congratulated the Popes Mead winning rink and awarded prizes to the Friends’ top rink of the day—the Triples team of Lois Hall, Ian Perry and Andy Hunt. The Friends’ highest‑losing rink—John Scholey, Maddie McConomy, Paul Robson and Michael Skerry—each received a Kit Kat, accompanied by the gentle suggestion that they might like to “take a break”.

Warm thanks were extended to the caterers and ground staff for helping to make the day such a success. Finally, a certificate commemorating the Friends’ visit was presented to Popes Mead, rounding off a thoroughly enjoyable and good‑spirited occasion.