SUMMER MATCHES

Our final standings for this summer season are:

P18 / W10 / L6 / D2

23 SEPTEMBER – Our final friendly match of the summer season was home against Canterbury, in the return match following our defeat over there on 30 August. Oyster got their own back today and won on all rinks. The overall score was 143-36. Top rink 43-4 went to Kevin Connor, Mike Steward and Marian Algar. Congratulations to all involved.

12 SEPTEMBER – Today we were home to Thanet IBC, our last (vs indoor club) summer fixture, with our non-playing Captain Sue Swan at the helm. At the tea break Oyster were well in command, but then Thanet obviously started to ‘find our green’ and came right back at us, closing to within 3 shots at one point. However, by the end of the match the rinks were 3-3 with Oyster winning 102-84, with our highest winning rink going to Kay Lloyd, Bev Markwick and Phil Scott-Martin (26-7). Big shout out to Emma and her team for looking after the bar and cafe all summer, and congratulations to all involved.

5 SEPTEMBER – Our last away match of the summer series of friendlies and Oyster beat Mote Park. It was a close encounter for most of the game, then Oyster pulled away to do the double over Mote Park, and win the match 87-102. Highest winning rink went to Charlotte Whiteway, Jon White, and Gordon Bourn (again), by 6-19. Captain Sue Swan thanked all the drivers for their support in getting the teams to all the away games we played.

30 AUGUST – A game with a difference today. Annually, Oyster play friendly matches against Canterbury outdoor bowls club, both away and home. However, this year we lost on all rinks away at Canterbury. Highest losing rink went to Roger Markwick, Paul Wilkinson and Jackie King (15-18).
Overall score was 59-124. The weather was kind to us and apart from lots of cloud, the rain held off. A good afternoon was had.

22 AUGUST – Back home today. The game started late due to bad traffic en route for the Angel team from Tonbridge.
We only won on two of the six rinks, losing the overall match 72-86. However, our highest winning rink went to Helen Broomfield, Gloria Clark and Gordon Bourn (15-7).
Everyone enjoyed the (delivered) fish and chips meal post match. Well done to all involved.

15 AUGUST – Captain Sue Swan travelled with substitute Eddie to watch Maurice, (who was back after a short break), lead another team of Oyster’s best 18, (well those who were available), this time away to White Oak IBC. With the game starting at 2pm, on a hot afternoon, (with no a/c), everyone started off reasonably well, with both teams taking the lead every 10 minutes or so, but then Oyster started to pull away and score well.
However as the game progressed White Oak almost drew level twice, closing the gap to 3 shots, before Oyster found their second breath and eventually won the game on 4 of the 6 rinks, by 69-100. Our highest winning rink went to Gordon Hayes, Gillian McMillan and skip Dave Turner (8-25)! As the hosts decided to play through without the customary T&B after 9 ends, the game was shortened to 15 ends as several players were struggling with the heat. Hot and cold refreshments, along with the raffle, were enjoyed at the end. Well done to all involved.

8 AUGUST – It has been two weeks since our last summer fixture, so everyone was looking forward to the home match against Sevenoaks today. Captain Sue welcomed Captain Sue and her team, and the bowls commenced. For most of the match Sevenoaks had a good lead, which was slowly clawed back by Oyster over the next 16 ends, then during the last few ends the home team took the advantage, and finally won the match by 7 shots, 108-101, with the rinks score 4-2, and with Gordon Hayes, Ann Moon and Eddie Swan winning the highest rink, 26-10. Congratulations to all involved.

25 JULY – Another away match, this week in the opposite direction. Captain Maurice led his Oyster team out onto the 6 rinks, but no flag bearers today! We were up at the tea break, then Swale came back at us really well, and looked like they were moving towards a well deserved victory, but Oyster came on strong at the end and managed 3 out of the 6 wins, and tied the overall match 102-102. Incredible! Especially as our earlier home match back in June was also tied. One of their players (Norman) played a blinder at the youthful age of 101, so the scores almost matched his age! Again, no post match drinks, so the customary speeches were made, the pens were handed out, the raffle drawn and everyone left. Oyster’s highest winning rink today went to Gordon Hayes, Ann Moon and Gordon Bourn (15-25)! Well done everyone who played.

18 JULY – This week we travelled to Thanet IBC, in Margate. It was nice to see Captain Sue Swan make an away appearance, as she steadily improves her recovery. The match was won by the home team, 102-85, and 4-2 on rinks. Congratulations to our highest winning rink of Gordon Hayes, Ann Moon and Derek Carter, (11-22). There were no post match drinks, so the customary speeches were made with pens being handed out, then everyone made their way home, (probably ready to watch the 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 v 🇫🇷 football game).

11 JULY – Another home match saw us play host to Prince Arthur, and another outstanding Oyster win,168-78, led by Captain Maurice, winning on 5 of the 6 rinks. Our highest winning rink today were Gordon Hayes, Maxine Probart and skip Glenda Langford (41-7)!
Big thanks to Emma for looking after the drinks etc during the afternoon. Right, now for Norway!

4 JULY – Back at home today we hosted players from White Oak. Oyster won the match, 102-85. We won on 4 rinks, drew on one and lost on one. Top rink was Gordon Bourn, Maurice O’Dell and Lee Holland.

27 JUNE – Away day at Ashford. Under the continued Captaincy of Maurice O’Dell, Oyster took 6 triples away to Ashford indoor bowls club, for a noon start (much preferred by many)! However, on a fast paced carpet, Oyster soon fell behind across most rinks, as Ashford built up a decent lead. Then we stopped after 9 ends for the customary tea & biscuits. Following the break, Oyster started to win more ends, and ended up winning on three, and losing on three. Ashford were the happier as they won the game with a 114 – 77 win. Oyster’s highest winning rink today went to Chris Appleton, David Hutchins and skip Gordon Bourn, (13-16). Well done to all of those involved. (ps the combined scores between the two clubs this month was +6 in favour to Oyster)!

20 JUNE – We were at home today against Swale, thankfully the a/c was working as it was so hot outside! Captain Sue Swan was able to visit us today, and stayed throughout the match to support us all. Before the tea break at 9 ends, Swale seems to be well in control of the match, winning on 5 (out of 6), and doubling our shot score! Emma must have added some of Oyster’s special juice into the half time tea, as in the second half we all came out guns blazing, and caught them up. For the last hour, there was barely 2 shots in the scores after each round of ends, and so it was going into the final end, final game, we were 1 up overall , and Phil Scott-Martin was able to to draw 2nd shot, meaning the match finished 94 – 94, and 3 rinks each, however, after a cheeky count up of the ends, Oyster won the majority of ends 56-52, so we are claiming the win! Our highest winning rink today was Sandie Bartlett, Maurice O’dell and skip Dave Bartlett, who managed a respectable 32-9 win. Congratulations to all for a great afternoon of sporting camaraderie.

17 JUNE – Won at home against Ashford. We won on 4 of the 6 rinks, losing on 2, with a total shot score of 116-73. Our highest winning rink went to Charlotte Whiteway, Les Hoar and Gordon Bourn, (31-4). Congratulations to all.

13 JUNE – Won away at Prince Arthur, 78-101, winning on 4 of the 6 rinks. Our highest winning rink was Maurice O’Dell (Captain), Sandie and Dave Bartlett, winning 13-26. We also took away some of the raffles prizes too.

30 MAY – Lost away at Angel, 113-96, although winning 4 of the 6 games! Our highest winning triple was skipped by Dave Turner (12-24)

23 MAY – Lost away to Sevenoaks

16 MAY – Oyster hosted Mote Park for our first friendly of the summer season. In the absence of Captain Sue Swan, Maurice stepped in for the day, and oversaw a fine win for Oyster, (120-75), who won on 3 rinks, drew 1 and lost on 2. Our highest winning rink went to Sandie Bartlett, Jon White and Dave Bartlett (34-7). A good start for the season