Friendly Fixtures 2026/27
Friendly Fixtures
February 2026
On February 28th 2026 12 hardy bowlers travelled to Mersea Island for another game at their indoor Bowls Club. Two new bowlers were in the Maldon team and everyone had a very enjoyable afternoon although as always when going to Mersea the Maldon team came second. They did however manage to win the little quiz which takes place.
April 2026 Saturday 18th 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. In Opening the Green David Sargood referred to all the work that had been undertaken during the closed season and a minutes silence was held for members that had died during the winter months.
May 2026
Sunday 3rd Centenary Cup Chelmsford - home what a start to the season. On a lovely afternoon Maldon players welcomed members of Chelmsford Bowls Club for a challenge match. It was a very enjoyable afternoon made extra special as Maldon won 59 shots to 52 retaining the Centenary Cup for another year.
Thursday 7th Home v Danbury - Maldon welcomed Danbury Bowls Club over for our first friendly of the season, playing on six rinks, it stayed dry and although a friendly it was friendly rivalry, as we do have some old Danbury players playing for us and alot of friends at Danbury.
We went in for tea at nine ends with a score difference of one point to Maldon. By the end of eighteen ends, Maldon had won on four ends and Danbury had won on two, but sadly for Maldon the scores were 106 for Danbury and 92 for Maldon.
A special mention must go to two of our newest bowlers Louise Broadbridge and Peter Sutton playing in there first ever match, helping their skip Geoff Cox to an imporessive win of 27 to 8.
Well done. Thanks to Peter Ward for this report.
Saturday 9th Home v South Benfleet - South Benfleet bowls club came for their first ever friendly at Maldon Bowls Club, playing four mixed triples. The weather was great and they were a very nice group.
This was our second friendly of the season and it was overall a very level scoring game as when we went in for tea after nine ends we were level on points.
When we completed eighteen ends, we had both won on two rinks and lost on two, but unfortunately once the scores were added up South Benfleet had won by 3 points, 62 to 59.
Our nonagenarian Pam Clack must be commended for playing so well on rink 4. We look forward to travelling to their club next year for the return match.
Thursday 14th Home v Gravesend Veterans - Maldon Bowling Club once again welcomed Gravesend Veterans to our club for what is now an established fixture. The weather looked like it would spoil our day but the clouds parted just in time and Dave Bruce, Captain for the day, began proceedings on the green with a formal welcome and team allocations. The plan was to go in for tea after 9 ends but the sun was still shining so we stayed out until dark clouds threatened. We all ducked in after 11 ends and watched the heavens open as we enjoyed a cupper and some cake, or perhaps a beer.
After an impressive downpour which saw the green covered in hailstones the sun poked through and we all decided to get back to our unfinished games. All 6 rinks completed 18 ends and packed the rinks away before the rain fell again. The final score showed that Maldon had won this encounter but the real winners were friendship and bowls!
Saturday 16th Home v Wickford - Keith Watson, captain for the day, welcomed all to the match. At tea, things were looking very promising for Maldon, being ahead on three out of four rinks, with a score of 33 to 28. But after tea Wickford stepped up the pressure and ended up winning three out of four rinks, with a score of 50 to 82.
Only Peter Pask's team, compromising of Liz Hamilton and Sue Timcke came out victories. Well done to Peter and his team.
Thursday 21st Home v Stock -Thursday afternoon saw a lovely sunny day at Maldon Bowls Club, where we welcomed Stock Bowling Club for a three rink game of triples. Due to who was available on the day, Maldon teams had skips who don't often play in that position,but some of them rose to the occasion.
After 9 ends, going in for tea we were winning on one rink and behind on two, although overall we were one shot up.
After tea Maldon came out firing on all cylinders and the team of Graham Parker, Keith Watson and Skip Phil Arnold cruised to a comfortable win of 19 to 6.
On another rink the team of Pam Clack, John Rawlinson and skip Derek Baker waited until the 17th end to overtake and win on the 18th end.
On the final rink the team of Brenda Ward, Bobby Bruce and skip Peter Ward were pulling away until the 16th end when the skip tried an insane shot at two down, and ended up five down... Doh.
Luckily at the end the overall score was Maldon 55 and Stock 43, great afternoon.
Saturday 23rd - Away v Runwell Hospital - on Saturday we welcomed Runwell Hospital for a four rink triples on lovely warm sunny day for our latest friendly. Unfortunately, one of the Runwell team was a no show, but luckily our Club Captain Geoff Cox arrived with his wife Diane bearing homemade cakes for the half time tea.
So instead of having an easy afternoon, manning the bar, investigating the drains and the luxury toilets, supervising the water sprinklers, we press ganged Geoff into the game.
The game preceded at pace and by tea, 9 ends we were only 5 shots down. After some stern words from Captain of the day Peter Ward to do better we went out in to the heated cauldron of the afternoon, thanking our lucky stars we didn't have black trousers/shorts in our kit.
Well either the tasty cake or due to the heat we struggled, with 2 rinks under the skips, Helen and Sue Timcke loosing by 12 shots and 16 shots, another rink with skip Richard Walker in going down by only 3 shots and the last rink with Alan Friend drawing level. We all still thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon and if you want to get involved put your names down on the friendlies board in the Clubhouse.
Thursday 28th Away v Great Baddow - Thursday afternoon saw a group of Maldon bowlers travel to Great Baddow for a friendly match. Lately all Maldon seem to do is play Great Baddow.
Anyway, again a lovely afternoon playing 4 rinks of triples. We welcomed back Peter Saunders after a month off and he skipped with Phil and Frank. We also tried out a new lad Paul Callow to friendlies playing skip, with Brenda and Peter Ward.
We had a couple of old favorites Derek Baker skipping with Steve Nicholas and Liz Hamilton and Ron Thackeray skipping with Keith Watson and Jim Hamilton.
We went in after 9 ends for tea, cake and biscuits, being 1 shot up overall and as has happened before Derek and team won on their rink. Paul Callow and team drew on theirs and Peter and Ron came second on theirs, all of us overall behind by 13 shots.
We shook hands and had a commiseratory lemonade before traveling home, better luck next time.
Sunday 31st Away v Lionmede-
Sunday afternoon saw Maldon arrive at Lionmede Bowls club for a 3 rink mixed triples game. Lovely day, lovely people.
Today we had a few more bowlers than were needed, so I put myself as reserve and Lesley and David Sargood decided to share a game. Again we tried out bowlers in positions they don't usually play and they rose to the occasion.
It was agreed at the beginning to play the first 10 ends then come in for tea,overall we were ahead by 7 shots.
On rink 2 the brilliant, Brenda, Lesley and Bobby as skip cruised to score of 14 to 2. After tea they went up another gear with Lesley dropping out and Dave coming in, he didn't disappoint and between them they finished at 30 to 6 with 7 shots on the 17th end.
Rink 3 had Chris Timcke,playing well as lead, Keith Watson, a steadying influence at 2 and Skip Sue Timcke, at tea 9 to 7 after 16 to 15, a close match but Keith was full of praise for his skip at only her second time. They were 2 behind on their 17th end but got a 3 on the last end.
On rink 4 Graham Parker, always a good lead, Lynn Stothard, in her first friendly this year playing some really good shots, with skip Dave Bruce, they went in for tea 3 down but dragged it back to finish 15 all, which they agreed was a fair result for all.
Overall the score was 61 Maldon 36 Lionmede.
June 2026
Saturday 6th Ladies Day - this was a very successful and enjoyable day. Further information under Ladies Section.
Sunday 7th Home v Corringham and Fobbing - Today Sunday, saw Corringham and Fobbing come to Maldon for a five rink triples friendly. The weather stayed fine and although I often captain the friendlies, as our Club Captain Geoff Cox was in the squad, I asked him to officiate for me and a great job he made of it.
We came in for tea overall 6 shots down, with Skip, Pam Clack leading on one rink, level on another and behind on three rinks.
All that was forgotten when the homemade cakes came out, made by Brenda and Louise.
Brenda had made her school sprinkle cake, but also tried a coffee and walnut cake as well and Louise, made lemon drizzle, chocolate brownies and shortbread. They all disappeared easily.
That may have been the problem as Maldon struggled in the second half.
On rink 1,Paul Callow, Liz Hamilton, skip Derek Baker came 2nd to C&F.
On rink 2, Marie, Sue Walker, skip Geoff Cox came 2nd to C&F.
On rink 3,good news, Louise, Richard Walker, skip Pam Clack won 20 to 14.
On rink 4, more good news Brenda, Graham Parker, skip Peter Ward also won, although it was basically level until the 17th end when they went into the final end two up. Last end C&F were holding 5,skip Peter Ward bowled, turned it round ending 1 up.
On rink 5,Jim Hamilton, Keith Watson, skip Lynn Stothard came 2nd to C&F.
Overall we lost by two little ducks, but it was a smashing afternoon with new bowlers playing for us, against more experienced players.
A big big thanks to Keith Watson who always puts out all the equipment and all the cushions for these games in the morning and today put all the cushions away as well.
Saturday 13th Ladies v Gents - another lovely day with perfect weather and everyone in a good mood for the annual Ladies vs Gents match, played over five rinks of triples. The match involved 9 ends, break for tea and cake, then a further 9 ends. One rink finished with a draw of 20-20 but unfortunately even though some of the rinks were closely fought the men won overall.
Sunday 27th Away - RHP
July 2026
Thursday 2nd Away v Writtle
Saturday 4th Club Pairs
Sunday 5th Club Outing
Thursday 9th Home v Silver End
Saturday 11th Club Competitions Triples
Sunday 12th Home v Tillingham
Saturday 25th Club Competitions Pairs
August 2026
Saturday 1st Club Competitions Triples
Sunday 2nd Carnival Cup
Thursday 6th Home v Witham
Saturday 8th Club Competitions Pairs
Sunday 9th Presidents Invitation Day (Meal)
Saturday 15th Home v Burnham Hillside
Sunday 23rd Home v Ingatestone
Sunday 30th President v Captain
September 2026
Saturday 5th Club Competition Finals
Sunday 6th Club Competition Finals
Saturday 12th Jubilee Cup
Thursday 17th Away - Witham
Sunday 20th Club Drive
Monday 21st End of Season - Green Closed at 6pm
