Category: Friends Match Reports

Friends begin the season at Abingdon BC

Monday May 11th 2026. With winter finally behind us, this was the first Friends’ game of 2026. With 27 fixtures scheduled across the country, it marks the start of a busy spell — including three matches in the Oxford area. The Abingdon green looked and played beautifully, and their electronic scoreboard kept us all well informed throughout the afternoon. After the game we enjoyed an excellent two‑course dinner, followed by a short and very engaging…

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Celebrations at Amesbury BC

Sunday 14th September :  Centenary Celebration Match It was the final game of the season for both ourselves and Amesbury. Most of us arrived at the club around 11:30 in preparation for a buffet at midday. Thanks to the club for a magnificent spread which we all enjoyed. The skies were getting very dark and we expected the rain to appear any minute, and it did. We started the match in light rain but it…

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A Close Win at Marlborough BC

The second of our final three fixtures took place at Marlborough Bowls Club on Saturday, 13th September. With a weather forecast that hinted at the date being an unlucky one, we were relieved to begin play at 2:00pm. Despite intermittent rain prompting a few players to briefly leave the green, we were fortunate to complete the match in full. The game was closely contested, with the Friends securing a narrow victory: 89–87 and 3.5 rinks…

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100 Years Celebrated at Rodbourne Cheney BC

Friday 12th September Today, Friends from eleven different counties made their way to Rodbourne Cheney Bowling Club. A few of us missed the turning and had to retrace our route, but thankfully, no one arrived late! We gathered to celebrate the club’s 100th anniversary — a truly special occasion. President Brian Tuck and Captain Ryan Sawer gave us a warm welcome, despite the ominous forecast. There was much discussion about how much play would be…

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100 Years Celebration at Waddesden BC

The 8th September arrives and it is the Friends Game against Waddesdon B.C. in Buckinghamshire for their 100 year anniversary. Waddesdon village is the home of a large stately home owned by the Rothschilds and the bowls club was reached by entering large black and gold entrance gates and past security into the small sports complex of bowls, cricket and tennis in the grounds. We received a very pleasant welcome from the chairman  and captain…

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Friends Annual Celebration Game with DBE

Sunday 7th September ’25 :  Waddesdon BC, in the peaceful surroundings of Waddesdon Manor, was the venue for The Friends of English Bowls annual match against the “BE Celebration Team for Players with a Disability”.  (That title is quite a mouthful so maybe a competition for something snappier?!). It was my pleasure to be Match Officer and to welcome Jennie Sandford, MO for the aforementioned side and her 4 rinks of players with varying disabilities.  It…

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Annual Highlight : Friends v BE Select

BE Select

🤝 The Friendly Fixture vs Bowls England On Thursday 28th August, Friends took to the green for their annual match against Bowls England. This year’s opposition featured players from the Performance Team, including Sandy Hazell, Mo Monkton, John Bell, and Mal Evans—setting the stage for a competitive afternoon. At halfway, Friends trailed by just seven shots and led on three rinks. But Bowls England surged in the second half, securing a 113–79 win, with Friends…

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Bolton Flat Green Club was Friend’s Last Call in Lancashire

🌿 Final Match in Lancashire: Bolton Flat Green Club Monday 4th August 2025.   The last of our Lancashire fixtures took place at the Bolton Flat Green Club, nestled in the southeast corner of Bolton at Darcy Lever. Despite a forecast of storm-force winds and rain, the weather cleared—right on cue—by 1:00pm, just in time for our 2:00pm start. Thanks to the artificial green and a touch of luck, everything was set for play. Due to…

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