Outdoors bowls is back in Sussex - as indoor gongs are won

Get involved in the coverage as the outdoor game gets under way by sending match reports and team pictures to [email protected]

OUTDOOR SCENE

WITTERINGS & DISTRICT BOWLS CLUB

The Witterings & District Bowls Club opens after the winter break from 10am to 1pm this Saturday.

It is an opportunity for anyone who would like to find out more about the club and maybe try their hand at bowling. No experience is necessary – tuition is available.

You will be assured of a warm welcome from members and officials who will be happy to answer any questions and show you the facilities.

Visit www.witteringsbowlsclub.org for details of events, or phone Fred Knotts on 01243 670618.

FISHBOURNE

Fishbourne BC begin the new season on the outdoor grass green on Saturday with a spoon drive for all members from 2pm.

Competitive matches start next Thursday with a six-rink game against the Pembrokeshire Tourists (2pm).

Throughout the season the club have 50 scheduled friendlies arranged against clubs in West Sussex and East Hampshire and two other touring teams.

The club are holding an open day on Saturday, April 30, from 11am to 3pm for anybody wishing to try bowls.

All are welcome, whether new to the game or possessing previous experience and looking for a change of club.

The club are in Blackboy Lane, Fishbourne, off the A259. The green is located behind the Fishbourne Community Centre. Experienced players will be present to guide you on the day. Refreshments available.

In addition to arranged matches, the club hold organised roll-ups on Monday and Thursdays commencing at 2pm. and also have an internal league on Tuesday evenings (6pm).

Enquiries to Jean Conway, membership secretary, on 01243 527765 or Bernard Wallsgrove, captain, 01243 779917.

CRABLANDS

Crablands Bowls Club’s opening day is on Sunday, April 17, starting at 2pm.

The previous day, they host a new bowlers’ day from 10am. Everyone is welcome, be they bowlers, non-bowlers, and it’s ideal for anyone who has been thinking about taking up the sport or is just curious.

Qualified coaches will be on hand and refreshments available in the clubhouse.

Club member Carol Bowles is Sussex ladies’ bowls president this year, a great honour for all at Crablands.

See more about the club at www.crablandsbc.co.uk

INDOORS

ARUN

The long-awaited club finals were held over three days.

First up was the mixed fours. Winners were C Hobbs, P Lillford, B Spicer and B Butler who beat D Hogg, B Lawson, K Ball and T Sayers 21-7. In the ladies’ drawn pairs, J Taffurelli and S Hart beat M Bacon and S Miles 26-12.

On day two, the men’s senior citizens’ contest was won 21-9 by B Butler over J Davis. The ladies’ equivalent was won 21-19 by W Adams over J Taffurelli.

The men’s novice singles was won 21-12 by T Aylward against K Ball. The ladies’ drawn triples went to D Hogg, V Greenaway and C Horsley, who beat C Hobbs, M Bacon and G Conley 23-14.

After lunch the men’s singles was won 21-10 by P Murphy, beating B Butler.

The ladies’ singles was taken by B Spicer, beating B Collins 21-19. The Robert Trophy saw M Bonner beat P Hamnett 21-18.

In the ladies’ pairs, J Taffurelli and S Judd won 28-18 versus L Hathaway and M Richards. Then in the men’s fours, R Hobbs, G Leaman, C Spicer and J Davis beat P Green E Pigeon, D Leach and M Bonner 27-20.

Sunday was the last day of the finals and the men’s triples was won by D Jackson, P Murhy and P Hannam in a 15-14 success over I Linfield, K Ball and B Talmage.

The ladies’ triples was won by C Hobbs, B Collins and A Janman against E Fitch, J Whetstone (sub) and S Judd – 17-13 the score.

In the mixed pairs, B Spicer and B Butler beat J Taffurelli and D Leach 20-18.

The men’s pairs was claimed by E Pigeon and J Davis, 21-10 winners over T Arnold and B Butler.

The ladies’ fours went to B Collins, J Taffurelli, S Miles and W Adams with a 20-15 win against C Hobbs, D Latter, B Spicer and A Janman.

In the novice triples, Barry Forey and was taken ill and he, K Williams and G Debenham had to withdraw, giving a walkover to C Hillier, R Carpenter and H Downs.

All in all, the finals were close and enjoyable. Congratulations go to the winners and now Arun bowlers’ season is at at end, many of them will head outside for some summer action.

MIDHURST

The Grange at Midhurst runs an indoor long-mat bowls league during the winter.

It consists of seven teams of six players from local bowls clubs. There are trophies for the league and a knockout section.

The league winners this year, after a rocky start, were the Villagers – T Hubble, D Berry, R Weeks, L Stevens, B Butterfield, J Adams and T Berry. Runners-up were Midhurst Yellow, who also won the KO cup.

Midhurst Yellow’s team comprised S Tait, H Seymour, D King, S Ralph, R Ralph, M Sole. Theyhad a hard game to start but came through to beat Haslemere Amazons.

CRABLANDS

The Cormorants played their last league match at Nyetimber and came away with two league points.

Scores: Joyce Abel, Martin Hunt (capt), Joyce Heritage and Mollie Back won 18-11; Denise Merritt, Marion Hatch, Rod Shambrook and Reg Hatch lost 30-16; (friendly): Sylvia Gray, Celia Foot, Jan Obermayer and Alan Foot won 23-16.

In their last match of the season, Crabland Avocets got the upper hand against Bognor and won on all three mats.

On mat one Alan Foot’s team of Celia Foot, Dave Harding and Don Jonas won 28-13. On mat two Bill Merritt’s team of Harry Stead, Archie Colletta and Peter Latchford had a much closer game but kept their early lead to win 21-14.

On the friendly mat Jim Saunders team of Denise Merritt, Eddie Brooker and Mollie Back had a convincing win of 32-6.

It was a great end to Avocets’ first season in the league.

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