Meersbrook Park travelled to Stocksbridge (on Monday 3rd July), and, after several near misses, registered a first win of the season, in Social League Division E.
After a difficult journey the result was almost anticlimactic. It was achieved with relative ease but shaded by disappointment that the home side failed to field a full team and left Steve S without a game.
One of the joys of a first bowling season is, in the opinion of your humble reporter, the pleasure of discovering new clubs and greens and places of beauty as one plays away fixtures. With the stunning back set of the south facing side of the valley, beautifully illuminated by the setting sun, Stocksbridge did not disappoint.
Another gain from our wonderful game is forming new friendships with players from opposing clubs. Again, Stocksbridge did not disappoint. Their team must have an average age that would make Terry seem young. The accumulation of all those years provides many stories to tell as we trundled between ends and racked up points. The bowls seemed almost inconsequential.
We were 4 -0 up with only 3 games played. Jon S and Jim won well and learned a lot about the war. Linda and Agnes had to fight harder and learned a lot about the corners of the Stocksbridge green.
The star of the previous Friday, Andrew, was struggling from the first end with a bad back. He lost, and like Tom, who was cold after having to wait until the shadows had covered the whole green before getting on, was not in the best physical shape to play. For once Paul J could not compensate and the second doubles was also lost. The aggregate belonged to the MP’s, however, and the 6-2 win moves us off the bottom and above Stocksbridge in the table.