Friendly Fixtures 2025
Friendly Fixtures
April 2025 Saturday 19th Opening Drive - Well what a start to the season. Over 45 members attended the Opening Drive and we played 18 ends before everyone adjourned to the club house and enjoyed a buffet provided by all the members.
Sunday 29th Away v Runwell Hospital - this match was due to be held at home but because of the present condition of the green is now to be played away. Maldon managed to win by 1 point 75-74 but a very enjoyable afternoon was held by all.
May 2025
Sunday 4th Centenary Cup Chelmsford - 4 mixed triples went to Chelmsford and had a win of 72 points to 56. Photos below.
Thursday 8th Away v Danbury - on a lovely sunny afternoon the Maldon team visited Danbury and managed to win on two rinks but lost on 4. The overall score was 109 shots to Danbury and 91 for Maldon. The two winning rinks were Peter Fabb, Jill Fabb and Alan Brand with 22-8 shots and Brenda Ward, Peter Ward and Tony Broome 26 - 12.
Saturday 10th Away v South Benfleet - this match comprised of four triples with Maldon winning on two rinks and losing on two rinks with an overall score of 71 shots to Benfleet and 59 to Maldon. The winning rinks for Maldon were Phil Arnold, John Rawlinson and Tony Wallis and Geoff Cox, Ted Frost and William Wallis. A very enjoyable afternoon was had by all.
Thursday 15th Home v Gravesend Veterans -On Thursday 15th May, we welcomed a coach load of Gravesend Veterans and supporters for their annual friendly game. The weather was slightly nippy, but we played all 6 rinks and after 10 ends went in for tea and biscuits. The scores were very close with the veterans leading by one point. After the raffle we all went out again for the remaining 8 ends, sadly Gravesend pulled away a little more and by the end we lost by 6 points. Overall we all had a very nice day and we look forward to welcoming them back next year. Thanks must go to Peter Ward for being Captain of the Day.
Saturday 17th Away v Wickford - a team of 4 mixed triples travelled to Wickford for a friendly game. Maldon won on 2 of the 4 rinks and just got over the line by winning the aggregate by 1 point 61 - 60.
Tuesday 20th Home v Southwater BC - the club welcomed members from Southwater Bowls Club, Sussex, for a friendly match of six triples. Maldon won on five rinks and drew on one with a winning overall score of 101 - 66. It was a very enjoyable Maldon for all.
Thursday 22nd Away v Stock - Captain of the Day Keith Watson too 3 teams to play a friendly game at Stock. Unfortunately only the team led by Peter Pask won on the afternoon 16-10. Peter was assisted by Alan Brand and Keith Watson. The score on the other rinks resulted in Peter Saunders' team losing 12-15 and Peter Ward's team losing 14-25.
Thursday 29th Home v Great Baddow -
June 2025
Saturday 1st Home v Lionmede - enjoyable afternoon with Maldon winning 53-44.
Saturday 7th Ladies Day - see Ladies section.
Sunday 8th Away v Corringham and Fobbing - Captain Cox said: 'On our first visit to Corringham & Fobbing BC we came away with a win, 90-75, winning on 3 rinks. They made us very welcome and are looking forward to visiting us next season. We would like to thank them for the lovely tea and cakes, and especially the home made bread pudding.
Saturday 14th Ladies v Gents - 12 ladies battled it out against 19 men, over a match of four triples, with the extra men swapping in after nine ends. Despite it being 2-2 draw on rinks won, the shield went to the gents who had an overall score of 73-61.
Sunday 29th Club Outing to Bexhill
July 2025
Thursday 3rd Home v Writtle - On Thursday afternoon, Vice Captain Keith Watson welcomed bowlers from Writtle bowls cub to a three rink triples match. Weather just the right temperature, and game played in a very friendly atmosphere.
When we came in for tea after nine ends we were up on one rink and down on two, but of course after having some tea made by John and Paddi, Maldon came out fighting.
After 18 ends Maldon were up on one end, drawn on one end and 2nd on the third end and overall Maldon were the winners 40 points to 36.
Thanks to Keith for setting up and arranging a good afternoon.
Saturday 5th Club Pairs
Sunday 6th Home v Woodbridge - the club hosted this friendly match against Woodbridge BC following our successful Club Outing to them last year. Their team of 20 players (4 players shared a game) and 6 guests arrived just past midday in a small coach and a car. Just after 2pm Captain Cox made the introductions and swiftly commenced 6 triples as the sky looked threatening. The weather forecast was not good but despite having to shelter for about 10 minutes it was possible to play the full 18 ends. The match was played in good humour and the overall score was 110 for Woodbridge and 88 for Maldon with Woodbridge winning on 4 rinks and Maldon winning on one rink and one honourable draw on rink 1. After the game we enjoyed a wonderful tea before our visitors set off for home.
Thursday 10th Home v Silver End - Cancelled by Silver End
Saturday 12th Club Competitions Triples - What a nail biter this was. Due to a misunderstanding, Maldon played a man short on one rink. More of that later.
The full rink of Graham Smith, Cherry Richardson, Barry Mcdonagh and Colin Wall got off to a slow start and for much of the game it looked as though they would lose. But typically they dug in and finally got ahead on the sixteenth end. They held their nerve and ran out 16 - 13 winners. All the team played their part but skip Colin bowled some brilliant woods to keep us in the game.
The other rink had only three bowlers, Carole Ash, Ken Varney and skip Kevin Cornwell. Knowing they would lose 25% of their shots for playing a player short, all three bowled very well indeed. They battled away to win by 17 shots to 13, which meant a final score of 12.75 to 13. So close. One more shot would have given them the game.
However the final result was a 6 - 2 victory which leaves Maldon in second place, just one point behind the leaders.
Sunday 13th Away v Tillingham - On Sunday afternoon Maldon traveled to the furthest reaches of the empire for a friendly match against the lovely little club at Tillingham.
We had some brave souls as spectators, Margret and Derek and Sue Timcke and puppy dog. Phil Arnold skipped, with Jim Hamilton and Chris Timcke. After 9 ends going in for tea 16 to 9 down. But they came back and ended 21 to 17 down, a great fight back.
Mke Hartshorn skipped with Graham Parker and Brian Columbine and they cruised through 24 to 7. Peter Ward skipped with Brenda Ward and Peter Saunders and neither side could pull away from each other and ended 12 all.
Richard Walker skipped with Liz Hamilton and Sue Walker and ended 20 to 14 down.
Overall 71 points to Maldon and 56 to Tillingham, well done Maldon.
Sunday 20th Home v Frinton - cancelled
Saturday 26th Club Competitions Pairs
Sunday 27th Carnival Cup
August 2025
Saturday 2nd Club Competitions Triples
Saturday 9th Club Competitions Pairs
Sunday 10th Presidents Invitation Day (Meal) - a very successful afternoon took place with the President Colin Wall selected a team to take on a team selected by Club Captain Geoff Cox with the Captain's team winning 107 - 98. Before the match, a fun spider competition took place with Keith Watson winning the prize. After the match players and guests enjoyed a delicious three course meal organised by Cherry Richardson and prepared with the assistance of a number of helpers. A very enjoyable afternoon was had by all thanks to all those that helped in many ways.
Saturday 16th Away v Burnham Hillside - On Saturday 16th August, Joint Vice Captain, Keith Watson took his happy band of players to the outer reaches of the galaxy, Burnham Hillside, which is set in the high street behind the funeral directors.
A very nice clubhouse, bar and green.
This was three rinks of triples, we had the evergreen Alan Brand playing who as usual showed us all how we should play, well done Alan. Keith, Phil and Frank won on one rink but we lost on two, although overall by only six points.
But the story of the day was the food.... What a spread, four lots of different sandwiches, cherry tomatoes, small jammy scones, crisps and biscuits various cakes and lashings of tea or coffee.
A swift drink at the end and we forgot the score. Went home. Smashing.
Sunday 24th Away v Ingatestone - On Sunday a group of Maldon players travelled to Ingatestone bowls club for a 3 rink triples friendly. Surprisingly Vice Captain Keith Watson nominated me as Captain of the day.
With the group of players who put their name down I chose to play the spouses together (I know risky), but this turned out to be a genius move. When we went in for tea we were winning on two rinks and behind on one, but as so often happens, after tea Maldon came back even stronger.
We finally won on all three rinks, winning overall 56 to 32.
The stories of the day were firstly there was no marital strife on or off the green. (Amazing).
Secondly on two rinks the numbers 1 and 2 did all the work, especially Liz and Jim Hamilton, Brenda Ward and Graham Parker so that the skips had very little to do.
I personally didn't join the game until the 11th end and David Sargood was full of praise for the Hamiltons.
Thirdly Chris and Susie Timcke with Keith as skip had a very hard game, not taking the lead until the 16th end and winning 15 to 12.
David's score was 17 to 12 and mine was 24 to 8.
This was a particularly good win as we were playing against a number of Ingatestone league players with our relatively new players who don't play in the leagues, which bodes well for our club.
Thanks also go to Derek and Margaret who came along to support us.
Regards
Peter Ward
Sunday 31st President v Captain
September 2025
Saturday 6th Club Competition Finals
Sunday 7th Club Competition Finals
Friday 12th ECWBA Patrons Day -over 50 ladies from throughout the County attended the club where they were welcomed by Simon Ash, Club Chairman. After the game everyone was treated to a meal prepared by Cherry Richardson and her helpers.
Saturday 15th Jubilee Cup - winners Dave Bruce, Moyra Underdown and Jim Hamilton.
Thursday 18th Home - Witham - On Thursday we welcomed Witham Bowls Club for our last friendly of the season, weather good. Thank you to John Foster and David Bruce who stepped in at the last moment.
It was a great afternoon with homemade cake and biscuits at half time. We won on one rink but came second overall by 12 points.
Sunday 21st Club Drive
Monday 22nd End of Season - Green Closed at 6pm
