MATCH REPORT SHERBORNE 5th JUNE 2024
A lovely afternoon of bowling, fun and great company was enjoyed by all that went to Sherborne bowls club. With Dave Brooks in his first ever game and Peter Honeywell playing as skip, a huge congratulations to both of you for playing so well. Against sighted bowlers, overall the YVIBC play very well and we can as a team give anyone a good game. This showed at Sherborne, where this year we only lost by two shots overall compared with twenty three in the 2023 fixture. Well done to all players and thank you so much to our helpers who helped to make the day run as smooth as it did. Also, it was lovely to have Jo and Georgina with us enjoying the lovely weather and atmosphere. We look forward to next year’s game as we were again invited back next year before we left.
MATCH REPORT SEVERALLS 26th JUNE 2024
This fixture was going to be a new experience for all of us. After competing against Ron and myself on previous occasions, bowlers from Severalls wanted to extend an invitation to us so their club could witness the quality and skill of VI bowling. As a club we didn’t disappoint in any aspects of the afternoon. We won by five shots overall against a very strong side, who, like others were amazed at the quality of our VI bowlers. Our grateful thanks goes once again to our helpers, our club has a brilliant gang of helpers who make these days memorable for us, thanks also to Colin Nicholls from Yeovil Bowls Club who stood in to help on the day. As well as great hospitality, we as a club were given a generous donation by Severalls, to help us with our funding and running of our club. We look forward to next year’s game as we were invited back to play again.
MATCH REPORT SOMERTON 24th JULY 2024
Another great afternoon for the bowlers of YVIBC, who despite the threatening weather enjoyed the warm atmosphere and hospitality shown to them by the players and other members at Somerton Bowls Club. The game by any standard was a close contest; our hosts came out on top by 6 just two shots as both clubs won two rinks each. The customary raffle went well, which saw us win some of the prizes. Many thanks to all the YVIBC members who contributed draw prizes. As the fixture was so successful again, the good people of Somerton invited us back next year before we left. Thanks once again to Jeff for our transport on the day and to our helpers who are so generous with their time and definitely sometimes their patience, again finding ourselves short of a sighted helper, thanks to Pete Smith from Yeovil Bowls Club who stood in to help on the day
MATCH REPORT SUMMER CHALLENGE CUP VERSUS YEOVIL BOWLS CLUB 7th AUG 2024
Putting the equipment out in the rain is not the best start to an afternoon’s bowling. Fortunately, it didn’t last long and the game was played in lovely conditions. The YVIBC bowlers put up an honourable fight to give our opponents a tough afternoon. Trish, Bill & Ron won by ten shots on their rink with everyone playing very well. Peter Honeywell, Trevor and Simon were drawing until a four and then a three shot loss put them well behind. The guys rallied well and ended up only losing by two shots. Diane, Debbie and Mo struggled to make any head way in their match until they were 9-3 down. We had to turn the rink around as Lisa worried us by saying we wouldn’t get any cakes at the end if we lost! The roles became reversed and going into the last end our trio were 12-11 up. This rink ended in a 12 all draw. Sadly, our remaining trio of Eric, Peter Mottram and Dave Brooks were on the end of a sound beating. Even Peter who plays a lot of county games couldn’t steer home our players or get close to avoid a 22-6 defeat. We await the second leg of the Summer Challenge which will take place on Wednesday 28th August. As always, our club through our helpers put on a magnificent tea after the game followed by a draw which was pretty much shared between the teams.
Nancy Cheeseman who was a founding member of YVIBC; came along to watch the game and everyone enjoyed catching up with Nancy who sadly has now stopped bowling due to arthritis in her hands. We also played a Spider at the beginning of the game to raise funds for Visually Impaired Bowls England; the bottle of whisky kindly donated by Ron was won by Keith Abbott from the YBC
MATCH REPORT-SOUTH PETHERTON 22nd AUGUST 2024
Our last trip out for the 2024 outdoor season saw a great afternoon of bowls hosted by South Petherton Bowls Club.
With Ron and Mo (our two international bowlers) unavailable due to holidays and injury, we were a little short on numbers and experience.
Jo and Georgina played half a game each at lead on the rink with Bill and Dave. Peter H and Peter M along with Eric leading made up another rink.
Joy lead on the rink skipped by Simon with Trev playing at 2, the fourth rink saw Trisha drafted in at skip for Dianne and Debbie. Thanks to Lisa for floating between the rinks and helping everyone.
Some brilliant bowling saw our VI Bowlers win 3 rinks out of 4, but the closely fought fixture was won by South Petherton, the final score being 51 shots to 48.
The match was followed by a lovely tea and a raffle. A huge thank you to South Petherton for the generous donation to our funds and an invitation to return in 2025 when we will try to win the fixture.
Well done to all our VI bowlers and thank you to all our helpers who make these fixtures possible.
SUMMER CHALLENGE CUP 2024 AWAY LEG
Unlike the home leg, where we had inclement weather, this game was played in lovely conditions and against a great bunch from the main club who had turned out to play us. The YVIBC bowlers put up an honourable fight to give our opponents a tough afternoon but sadly we were well beaten.
Trish, Diane and Debbie were soon struggling on their rink as their opponents realised our ladies were struggling to find the weight and kept putting up near full length jacks. Ron, Jo and Bill, had a very strong triple against them and trying to make any headway was consistently difficult. Peter Honeywell, Trevor and Joy had a very good afternoon. Up until the last two ends they were tying but dropping a two and then four, they lost by six. Our final trio of Eric, Peter Flowers (guest volunteer from YBC) and Dave Brooks also lost. The trio put up a valiant fight and started to claw their way back into the game, but again the YBC trio were too strong.
Another great display of VI bowling was brought to this afternoon and again fresh eyes were upon us and marvelled at our performance.
As always, our club through our helpers put on a magnificent tea after the game which was followed by the customary draw. We did manage to win a good share of the prizes, a small consolation to the day’s proceedings.
We played another spider at the beginning of the game which was won by Peter Flowers from the YBC, and the summer challenge trophy was presented by myself (Mo Perry) to YBC captain of the day Nigel Kemp.
The two Spiders this summer have raised £50 for Visually Impaired Bowls England (VIBE). Thanks to Ron Homer and Chris Taylor (YBC) for donating the bottles of spirits for these Spiders.
Many thanks to Bill, Sue, Lisa and Debbie for their efforts with sandwiches, cupcakes and the teas for both of the two Summer Challenge Games.