What an absolute rollercoaster of a day at Southey Bowls Club! Bletchingley Bowling Club’s magnificent run in the London & Southern Counties (L&SC) Challenge Shield came to an end on Saturday, falling just short in a nail-biting 26–29 aggregate defeat to Egham Bowls Club.
While the result didn’t go our way, the performance on the green and the sheer volume of support from the bank made it a day to remember. For a small village club to stand toe-to-toe with the heavyweights of regional bowls and take the final down to the wire is an achievement every single member can be proud of.
How the Action Unfolded
With a 25-strong contingent of players, reserves, and traveling supporters taking over the green and packing out the balcony, the atmosphere was electric from the first end.
Ian’s Rink Leads the Charge
Ian’s rink settled into a tight battle early on. After trailing 7–9 at the 10th end, the squad picked up two shots on the 11th to draw level at 9–9. A steady string of singles kept the pressure on Egham, edging ahead 11–10 by the 14th end. Staying cool under pressure, Ian’s rink closed out their match with composure to secure a brilliant 14–11 victory!
Gavin’s Rink Battles to the Wire
On the adjacent rink, Gavin’s side fought out a tense end-for-end encounter. Trailing 5–6 at the 8th end, the turning point came on the 9th when a clutch bowl from Trevor right on the edge next to the jack sealed a huge 4-count, pushing Bletchingley ahead 9–6.
From there, it was edge-of-your-seat bowling. The teams traded counts to sit level at 10–10, 12–12, and 12–13 heading into the final stages. With Egham pulling ahead late on, Gavin’s rink fought to the last bowl, eventually finishing 12–18.
Final Score Breakdown
| Rink | Opponents | Score | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Captain Ian's rink | Egham BC | 14 - 11 | Won | |
| Captain Gavin's rink | Egham BC | 12 - 18 | Lost | |
| Overall Aggregate | Bletchingley BC vs Egham BC | 26 - 29 | Lost by 3 | |
The Best Support in the Region
If there was a trophy for the best supporters, Bletchingley would have taken it home by a mile. Our “Barmy Army”—16 vocal supporters on the bank and balcony—made themselves heard throughout the afternoon, shocking the opposition with the sheer level of noise and passion.
A huge thank you goes out to every player who represented the club so brilliantly across the entire campaign, and to every member who traveled to Southey to cheer the team on.
We may have lost out by just three shots, but reaching the final of the L&SC Shield has put Bletchingley Bowling Club firmly on the map. Proud to be a Beeber! 🐝
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