South Park Bowls Club

Friday night saw an evening of stormy weather, the game progressed for 5 ends before Cummins Shirley Barras had to be taken off after a slip on the green.
We hear she is on crutches and wish her well on her recevery. Shirley is a lovely woman and despite being totally against calling off games for rain at our club it was felt this decision was only right in the circumstances.

On a lighter note we were getting battered………………

This was our 1st win this season in the Durham and District League and it should have been more. Sandra and Barry Hopkins rink yet again won convincingly which guiding home the long game nicely for a 6-4 win.
This is disappointing at home especially with Addison Park away coming up next week who are league favourites but who cares bring it on!!

Its been a dour week for South Park hopefuls. Sam Pattison and Scott Morland were defeated at Houghton Dairy Lane by 11 shots to Mrs cheerful and partner in the National Mixed Pairs.
Barry Hopkins Jnr sensationally lost 21-0 to Scott Morland in 4 bowl singles, mainly because he gave it away without playing. Scott now faces Lance Simpson of Stockton in the 2 bowl singles and Craig Northam or Vic Tunstall in the 4 bowls singles from RA and Hundens respectedly.

A lovely night of British weather saw the team play against a poor Woodland side.
Still only one rink found the night a walkover. Simon Brodie, Terry Collinson and Glyn Jones were heavy winners ensuring the long game was put to bed early. Barry Hopkins rink was comfortably in the end but had a few hairy moments along with his sons rink that also won by a mere 9 shots. The praise goes to our 4th rink though who despite being the most inexperienced cruised to victory over an experienced Woodland rink.

Unfortunately our Durham & District League game had to be cancelled at Langley Park this week. This meant forfeiting the 10 points at stake. Due to a number of casualties, holidays and drinking sessions we were unable to field a a team, infact only 4 players committed to the cause.
It was a shame as Langley Park is a wonderful place to bowl, the setting is immense and unusually the rain held off.
This now leaves South Park 2nd bottom of the table with a mountain to climb especially with Brandon having a game in hand at the bottom and a trip to league favourites Addison Park in a fortnight. Hopefully next week we can take advantage of a home tie to Cockton Hill next week.

The team despite missing Barry Hopkins and Simon Brodie pulled off a fantastic performance at North Lodge Park. A difficult night was expected especially against Jane, Sam and Stacey who are our players in the Durham & District League.
We were proven wrong, the team went out and did their job to top the table with 7 and a half points in 2 games. The only half point dropped was Colin Gittins rink, but still away from home this was a great result.

Its been a mixed few days for the lads in the EBA Comps. Barry Hopkins, Simon Brodie and Scott Morland were comprehensively stuffed by 3 Elm Tree lads in the Triples. Scott who was leading was atrocious followed by a lacklustre Simon Brodie and a short bowling Barry Hopkins.
That was the 1st EBA played so far this season and rusty wasnt in it, just shows the step up in level from playing the Vets to EBA is massive!
On a lighter note South Park took its 1st scalp today in the EBA 2 Bowls Singles. Scott Morland stepped up his Friday night performance to give Keith Burton a run for his money. Despite being in control Scott let the game slip to 19-19, then Keith had a loose end which Scott took full advantage of to win 21-19.
Tomorrow night sees Scott and Simon face Les Parnells rink in the pairs – who knows what sort of performance will come out after recent events!

The grudge match came out in our favour, a tight match overall with all rinks being down after 5 ends. Unfortunately we let Arthur Duff leave with a victory as Glyn Jones rink had a heavy defeat. However all was well with Scott Morlands rink – Simon Brodie and Danny Bailey took down John Green, Mike Hepperley and Ted Storey.
This fixture always has a bit of spice but overall was a very friendly fixture tonight, the team can’t wait to do the double over them in June!!

The Durham & District League competitions have been drawn and have posed some interesting ties. Sam Pattison travels away from home to Bowburn to face Chris Gething who skipped against Sam in the mixed pairs final last season.
Scott Morland travels to Spennymoor to face Joshua Jolly who is a prospect for the future and is no pushover and Jane Pattison has the plumb tie travelling into the hill to EverReady Craghead to play Mike English who is possibly along with Billy Maddison one of the best singles bowlers in the league.
In the mixed pairs Sam Pattison and Scott Morland, finalists of last year face a home tie to the competitions secretary John Webster and his wife, they faced these two at Sherburn a couple of seasons ago and threw away a big lead to lose the tie. This time it looks as though they represent Vane Tempest but at home am sure they can cause them a problem.
Barry and Sandra have what should be a straight forward home tie to Henry and McGorrighan of Pelton Fell. Although we know little about the opposition our 2 players are very strong (former champions) and will take come beating on their own patch.
The Hospital Cup poses a repeat fixture of 2011 with a trip to Nevilles Cross to play last years winners and League Secretary Brian Slinn. This was a game of one half last year, one LONG half. The green was fast and incredibly tricky but Sam Pattison, Scott Morland and Simon Brodie will be more prepared this time. Lets hope Ian Hudson isnt chatting up all the women around the green this year……………
For full draw follow here

As any South Park bowler will tell you, Thursday nights game is a bigger derby than the Man City V Man Utd game tomorrow.
South Park Vets are a team full of ex South Park bowlers and their is no love lost between the 2 teams. Its a game that could be friendly, could be exciting – however nothing other than a win will be good enough.
Lets all look forward to it, using our old mats and jacks etc – we look forward to the away tie to them where there will be lavish new mats and jacks and will feel more like royalty…………….