County Friendly games

Wednesday 17^th April: KCIBA

Our first county friendly game of President Eddie Long’s year was the indoor fixture at Mote Park against the KCIBA. As is much the normal outcome these days with many of the KCBA team having played little indoor bowls, we lost heavily 127-202, which leaves a very big deficit to overturn in the return game in July at Marden BC.

This match marked the last game for outgoing KCIBA President Al Robinson.

Wednesday 15^th May: Bowls Cambridgeshire

The first game of the outdoor season was played at Fordham BC in Cambridgeshire on the 15^th May in a very cold biting wind. We were greeted by club representative Tony Carlton and President Monica Nelson who handed the green over to Cambridgeshire President Peter Dix. The journey though was worthwhile as we won the game 132 – 93, with the top rink prizes going to Ken Gilbert, Rodney Clark, Tony Runeckles and Mick Collins, whilst new badges were awarded to two Margate players Robert Molyneux and Andy Nicholson who were quarter finalist in the county rinks, and to Mick Fisher, Ben Holland and Doug Underhill from Borstal BC who were semi finalist in the county rinks.

Thursday 6^th June:  Bowls Hampshire

The next county friendly was against Bowls Hampshire with the match being played at Holmesdale BC near Sevenoaks. The club President John Aldous welcomed the two teams to his club and the Hampshire President the popular Ken Graham was welcomed to Kent by President Eddie Long.

The game though went the way of our last few encounters with Hampshire when we lost 101- 112, but the game gave the chance for many old friendships to be renewed and many new ones made.

New badges were presented to Vic Field of Margate BC, Keith Burns, Colin Cooper and Jim Tillman, all from Petts Wood BC who were all quarter finalist in the county rinks. Also Chris Clements from Gateway BC who was a semi finalist in the county triples and Chris Tucker of Sidcup BC who was semi finalist in the unbadged singles were also awarded badges.

The top rink prizes went to Peter Arnold, John Johnstone, Rodney Clark and Mick Collins.

Holmesdale BC ladies served us with a very nice meal before we wished our visitors a safe journey back home.

This was the second match in the contest for the Invicta horse trophy, but with a 51 shot deficit to make up from the indoor game at Mote Park in April it was a tough ask for the KCBA to win by enough to regain the trophy last won in 2010. The game was played at Marden BC and for many this was a first visit to this Wealden club, but I think they were all impressed.

The two presidents, Eddie Long and JJ Warburton were greeted by club president Ken Collins and the game was played in the usual good spirit between the two associations, with the KCBA winning by 22 shots.

County badges were presented to Dave Taylor and Dave Pile both from Halls BC who were runners up in the county rinks last year,

The top rink prizes went to Martin Mapp, Graham Bridges, Rodney Clark and Mick Scott.

A spider was held before the game with all proceeds going to Eddie’s charity, and the Marden ladies, as usual, served us with a delightful meal.

Tuesday 9^th July: Suffolk

Today we made the long journey to Suffolk to play at the delightful Borough of Eye Bowls Club. The county president Mike Bickers gave us a warm welcome, and the game was played on a good green which became faster as the game progressed under the very hot sun.

The game was won comfortably by Kent and the top winning rink was Peter Munn, Brian Wigmore, Ian Morton and Alan Morton.

The after match meal of roast chicken followed by home made black currant pie was perfect to send us back on the 2 ½ hour journey into Kent.

Wednesday 24^thJuly: Hertfordshire

This game was played at Potter Bar BC on a warm sunny afternoon. The match was won by Kent by a comprehensive margin of 126-96 with President Eddie Long’s rink being the highest winning rink. He was assisted by Ted Allen,  John Melford  & IPP Mick Collins.

A county badge was awarded to Bill Lazell who was a finalist in last season’s unbadged singles.

President Phil Havord formerly welcomed us to the club and the two Presidents exchanged gifts before we made our way back around the M25 home.

Wednesday 31^st July: Sussex

This match was memorable for the two county Presidents, Eddie Long and Don Kent of Sussex. About twenty years ago Don was a member and secretary of Milton Regis BC before moving to Sussex, and it was Eddie that took over the secretary’s position. Two years ago when the two met and Eddie told Don he was JVP of Kent, Don replied that he also held the same position in Sussex. This particular game should have been played in Sussex, but a meeting of the two at Milton was an opportunity that could not be missed. Their old friend Peter Luckhurst, president of the club welcomed them to the green for a match that was won by Kent 139-114.

As usual we enjoyed a delightful after match meal followed by a slice of a commemorative cake baked and decorated by Marian Luckhurst.

The top rink prizes went to Les Jeffrey, Keith Holdstock, Dave Baker and Dave Hancock, with the latter also collecting his county badge that he won as a semi finalist in the pairs in 2012.

Tuesday 6^th August 2013: Middlesex

This game was played at Sevenoaks and club president Michael Chapman was there to welcome President Eddie Long and his counter part from Middlesex, Peter Lavender. The game was won by Kent 156-81 and the highest winning Kent rink was Ian Flanagan, Rodney Clark, David ‘Budgie’ Carman and Mick Collins.

As is normal at Sevenoaks we were served with a very nice meal before the two presidents made their usual presentations.

Wednesday 28^th August 2013: Home Counties BA @ Maidstone BC

This game was played as Bromley’s Len Chant is Chairman of the HCBA this year and traditionally a fixture is always arranged with the Chairman’s county. Sadly due to poor health Len was unable to be at the match, so President Eddie welcomed Deputy Chairman David Todd of Middlesex and his team to Maidstone. The game resulted in a win for Kent with a score of 120-102 with Billy Masters, John Crouch, Steve Seager and David Luck taking the highest rink prizes.

Thanks go to Maidstone for hosting the game and to the ladies for an excellent after match meal.