May 26th - Berkhamsted Open Triples Gala
Thirty One teams entered the Berkhamsted Gala on the second May Bank Holiday. We had been having a busy weekend already and now, arriving on a wet Monday morning with a whole day of bowling ahead, were uncertain how it would go. We entered two teams. I was leading LG Blues and Frank had the LG Reds. Playing their first Gala were Lesley and David, new to bowling last year and part of my new team. Grete and Frank brought experience with Chrissie and I providing enthusiasm but a lot less years in competition than them.
Grete, David and I started off at 10 - we would play 4 matches with an hour between each. The first was...Berkhamsted 1sts on their own rink, having played on wet ground just the day before. It wasn't the best start we could have had. We went down. The Reds drew the mercenaries, Century, who had travelled up from Middlesex with two of their men's county players and then borrowed a lady from Berkhamsted....both teams down. The Reds complained to me that Century had not been friendly and had employed gamesmanship. It was to become a familiar theme across the day as they made themselves the least popular club in any Gala I've attended. Obviously there for the money, they didn't endear themselves to Herts and Bucks....
Back we went and got down to it. Despite it raining virtually all day, despite the temperature never lifting and despite the slightly miserable start, we all enjoyed the experience. It was well run, we were well supplied with tea & coffee, home made cake and lunch. In the end, we found our stride and had we not dropped a second game by a single point after winning most of the ends, we would have been at least 4th. Little Gaddesden Blue - 7th. What a good performance, I said... the six teams that beat us included two out of area specialists, Century and Aylesbury Town plus Herts, Garston Kings Langley 1 and Berkhamsted 1. All six had at least two county players in their teams. Our teams didn't even have anyone who had entered a county competition. Little Gaddesden Reds - 12th. Also creditable. Little Gaddesden previous teams have aimed not to come last. We'll be aiming higher next year.
And everyone was glad when Century blew the last game to come 3rd. Well done Aylesbury and Garston who ended up above them.
We'll, as Arnie would say be back.....
Wednesday, 28 May 2014
A week of mixed fortunes
The season really starts properly, for me, when two things happen. One is we start playing games against other teams and the other is the start of the internal cup competitions.
11th May - Kitcheners
Our first fixture of the season (discounting the Vets) and we were away to Kitcheners. Kitcheners used to be the Welcome Trust team whose offices were based in Berkhamsted and "Up the Hill" in what is now Castle Village retirement centre. The club has grown significantly and has actually had to close its doors to new members twice in the last two seasons as it has hit maximum. Financially and in membership, it stands a long way above Little Gaddesden.
We set out to attack and although we lost the match, we went down by 11 over the 4 rinks having led on three right up until the break and one until the last two ends. I reflected on past efforts and was satisfied that we had made progress. We were playing a number of newish players and new triples who didn't play together last season as I start looking to build some regular teams.
14th May Berkhamsted
Traditionally, Little Gaddesden have always lost to Berkhamsted. One of the area's strongest clubs, they are always very welcoming and complimentary about our continuing efforts to move forward. It had been a rainy night and we started under cloud watched by a small crowd and a lot of rabbits along the top bank. At the halfway mark, my rink was 11-1 up and I glanced down the other scores to see to my surprise that we were up on three of the four. As the sun came out, the crowd grew and our confidence with it. At the end, we won by 11 overall - our first ever victory against Berkhamsted and away, as well. I went away feeling so pleased that the coaching and the lift in morale and belief is finally beginning to come through into our game.
A week of mixed fortune but there was promise in both matches. I think this season, Little Gaddesden will set new records. I was still feeling good even after I drew last year's men's champion, my father-in-law, Frank in the singles competition. Go on Little Gad!
11th May - Kitcheners
Our first fixture of the season (discounting the Vets) and we were away to Kitcheners. Kitcheners used to be the Welcome Trust team whose offices were based in Berkhamsted and "Up the Hill" in what is now Castle Village retirement centre. The club has grown significantly and has actually had to close its doors to new members twice in the last two seasons as it has hit maximum. Financially and in membership, it stands a long way above Little Gaddesden.
We set out to attack and although we lost the match, we went down by 11 over the 4 rinks having led on three right up until the break and one until the last two ends. I reflected on past efforts and was satisfied that we had made progress. We were playing a number of newish players and new triples who didn't play together last season as I start looking to build some regular teams.
14th May Berkhamsted
Traditionally, Little Gaddesden have always lost to Berkhamsted. One of the area's strongest clubs, they are always very welcoming and complimentary about our continuing efforts to move forward. It had been a rainy night and we started under cloud watched by a small crowd and a lot of rabbits along the top bank. At the halfway mark, my rink was 11-1 up and I glanced down the other scores to see to my surprise that we were up on three of the four. As the sun came out, the crowd grew and our confidence with it. At the end, we won by 11 overall - our first ever victory against Berkhamsted and away, as well. I went away feeling so pleased that the coaching and the lift in morale and belief is finally beginning to come through into our game.
The Horton Trophy
Every year, we have a match early-on between the Captain's team and the President's team. We try to start by ensuring there are a few players of a decent standard on each side to skip and then draw the rest at random.
The trophy (Horton Trophy) was hand carved by John Horton, a local woodworker and is without doubt, our most unique (and I think most lovely) trophy. Sadly, I had to give it up, this year as the President's team won through. Congratulations to our new President, Ted Bolton on a winning start to his tenure.
Once again, John's widow, Peggy, who was one of our regular bowlers until recently, came along with Barbara, Gladys and Marion to make the tea and provided home made cake in honour of the day. We are very grateful to her for continuing to support the trophy day every year and we look forward to seeing some of our former stalwarts. Thanks ladies... it was another good day all round. I very much hope to get the trophy back next year and restore it to its proper place on MY mantlepiece. :)
Once again, John's widow, Peggy, who was one of our regular bowlers until recently, came along with Barbara, Gladys and Marion to make the tea and provided home made cake in honour of the day. We are very grateful to her for continuing to support the trophy day every year and we look forward to seeing some of our former stalwarts. Thanks ladies... it was another good day all round. I very much hope to get the trophy back next year and restore it to its proper place on MY mantlepiece. :)
Open Day - 28th April
Ok, so I have some catching up to do..... Let's begin at the beginning.
Late April, the skies had finally cleared after several days of rain. The season opening looked full of promise and indeed it was....
The green is being cut shorter, this season. I took the decision that I wanted a rink that was closer to the standard we find elsewhere. Once this was discussed and agreed with the Greens & Buildings Manager and the committee in general, the order went out. It looked so good on the opening day.
We had over 20 people, many from the 32 who had expressed an interest at our recruitment drive in Hemel. Our target, remember, for 2014-15 is 50 new members. That represents the number required to make the club financially stable.
Of the 14 who were genuinely there with a view to joining, we recruited 9 with 5 down to return later and consider a little longer if they were going to join up. Not a bad start. We also got back two valuable former members who had been much missed, having left looking for more competition. Seeing what was happening at Little Gaddesden and my ambitions taking shape, they returned to the fold and a big welcome.
In parallel with the other activity, we had committed to getting some coaches qualified through the BDA. Now, setting out coaching rinks, our new trainee coaches begun their work in earnest. Over the next six to eight weeks, they were going to run coaching rinks every Monday morning and every Thursday evening.
With high hopes, then, we began the season proper.....
Late April, the skies had finally cleared after several days of rain. The season opening looked full of promise and indeed it was....
The green is being cut shorter, this season. I took the decision that I wanted a rink that was closer to the standard we find elsewhere. Once this was discussed and agreed with the Greens & Buildings Manager and the committee in general, the order went out. It looked so good on the opening day.
We had over 20 people, many from the 32 who had expressed an interest at our recruitment drive in Hemel. Our target, remember, for 2014-15 is 50 new members. That represents the number required to make the club financially stable.
Of the 14 who were genuinely there with a view to joining, we recruited 9 with 5 down to return later and consider a little longer if they were going to join up. Not a bad start. We also got back two valuable former members who had been much missed, having left looking for more competition. Seeing what was happening at Little Gaddesden and my ambitions taking shape, they returned to the fold and a big welcome.
In parallel with the other activity, we had committed to getting some coaches qualified through the BDA. Now, setting out coaching rinks, our new trainee coaches begun their work in earnest. Over the next six to eight weeks, they were going to run coaching rinks every Monday morning and every Thursday evening.
With high hopes, then, we began the season proper.....
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