2011 March Monthly Report

The round-robin mixed pairs the Inaugural Cup was played on Monday 28^th February and Friday 4^th March during indifferent weather. Sixteen pairs took part playing three games of maximum eight ends each day. As points are awarded for wins, draw and ends won, one can never really predict the eventual winners. The clear winners were Les Pratchett and Rona Hendry with second and third separated by two shots putting the first day easy winners, Graham and Cath Patrick into second place and Wayne and Carol Roberts, third.

The ALBC Drawn Triples winners were the team, John Fitzgerald, Graham Patrick and a new bowler John Pheonix who played our Captain, Jim Pike, Alan and Pat Deacon. John’s team went out to show their hard match in the Semi’s was history. Jim’s team who had an easy game in the Semi’s found this a different story, as although they played well could not get in front at any time. This gave John, Graham and John a worthy championship win.

In between these competitions our annual celebrations of St Patrick’s Day took place on the 17^th March. This year was very different to past years as most of you are aware. Ray and Siobhan Herrity were not able to do their stirring work in organizing, due to his ongoing cancer. They were sadly missed and to ensure that they were still in our thoughts, during the interval, yours truly asked all those attending to raise their glasses to them and pray for Ray’s successful recovery.  Although they were not with us, many thanks go to them for sending money to cover prizes for the Spider and competition winners, together with little knickknacks for those ‘best dressed’.  Our Irish couple John and Eileen Pheonix kindly judged the best dressed. Thanks go to them for standing in for Ray and Siobhan. There were lots of prizes given, however, I am not quite sure who reciprocates were. As it was an Irish occasion Jim reversed the competition winning order and gave the bottom four, prizes. At the end of the day, who cares, everyone enjoyed themselves. All monies raised during these celebrations go to Ray and Siobhans selected charity, Asprodalba, a charity in Spain, which does a lot for handicapped children of all nations. Thanks to everyone helping to raise at the end of the day a total of 155 Euros.

The Frank Sharpe our very popular drawn rinks competition, taking place on Thursday afternoons, starting November 2010 going through to the final in March 2011. The eight players during the season scoring the most points in their top six games are drawn on the day to compete against each other. There were no surprises of the winning top eight players and however who was drawn in each team; it would on paper develop into a good game.

The spectators were not disappointed, as the winners lead by Roy Tonkin and included Wayne Roberts, Ken Sykes and Catherine Patrick narrowly beat their opponents John Fitzgerald, Graham Patrick, Viv Sykes and Jim Anderson. It would be interesting to be a ‘fly on the wall’ to listen in the Sykes and Patricks household later in the evening as husbands and wives were in opposing teams!!

The last of the Wednesday Inter Club Triples League which commence in October 2010   took place on the 30^th March. The final places for our three teams were Rovers in second, Gunners in seventh and Ramblers in tenth place.

I am sure you will all join me in thanking our resident hulk, Graham Patrick, in completing the renovation of our seats at the end of greens.  Also to Jim Pike and Les Pratchett, who have been working tirelessly on the greens, lately completing the sticking of green material on inside walls?  Jim also thanks all those taking part in the painting of the walls. All we hope and pray for now is that all this work gives us our other green that will survive.  

Finally as all members are aware, I try to keep everyone in touch with what is going on through reports, photographs, website etc. Sometimes I send those who have been individually involved, separate emails and attachments. All I request is, when I have done this, is a simple acknowledgement from reciprocates in line with email etiquette. You will find full competition reports, photographs and schedules on our website, www.bowlingalmeria.com   

Vic Parsons

ALBC Press Officer and Vice Chairman