Winless week

After a successful start to November, with both KOPS and ROBBERS winning their first two games, the last week has proved rather more difficult.

The KOPS began with a very tough Dorset League game at Hazelbury Bryan on Monday, facing a team with two England under 21 players in their line-up.

On Mat 1 the triples team of Stuart Clayton, Sally Burton and Peter Hawkins stayed in contention until the 12th end, when they trailed 8-10. The home side then pulled away, winning 6 of the last 8 ends to triumph 22-10.

The fours of Maureen Williams, Cathy Gaffney, John Coady and Steve Clayton stayed very close throughout the game, but found themselves needing 3 on the last end to draw. They did win the last end, but only picked up a single to lose 11-13.

HAZELBURY BRYAN 35 – 21 KOPS (6 – 0)

The following night the KOPS played Shroton in the Blackmore Vale League, and this was a very different game with both mats struggling.

Stuart Clayton, Sally Burton and Peter Hawkins lost 12-22 on a mat that had more lines than British Rail.

The other triple of Maureen Williams, Rob Williams and Steve Clayton struggled on a mat that was fast and had a lot of turn, and where the woods had to be bowled right on the edge. After 14 ends they trailed 8-25, but rallied back to close the deficit to 18-29.

SHROTON ‘A’ 51 – 30 KOPS (6 – 0)

Friday 17th November caused unforeseen problems for the club. Holidays, prior engagements and other events left the ROBBERS struggling to raise a team. The solution? Borrow a player who isn’t nominated from the Kops… except the Kops also had a Dorset League match on the same night.

After a few discussions it was agreed that Richard Clayton, a Kops reserve for this game, would help out by playing for the Robbers. There was more good news when Jim Keighley, who had been sidelined for several months after breaking his foot, announced he was fit again and could play, giving the team the luxury of eight players available, dropping captain Robin Evans back onto the subs bench.

Unfortunately, one of the team then discovered a mistake with their diary, meaning they weren’t available for this game, although they are for the next one… which they aren’t actually playing in! Still seven players available, so no harm done.

Then a bitter blow as another player dropped out due to illness. Over to Plan B – the Kops would use their other reserve (who was nominated), in place of one of the players who wasn’t nominated, giving the Robbers a full team. Just a few phone calls needed.

Unfortunately, the reserve was no longer available, having made other plans. The Kops had just seven players, and the Robbers only six. After much discussion and scratching of heads we eventually reached Plan Z, and the Robbers’ captain’s grandson was hastily registered. Nine years old, with a little experience of outdoor bowls at Blandford’s Saturday morning juniors, he had never even seen a short mat let alone played on one…

Finally things took a turn for the better, as Millie Tuck was able to step in at short notice in place of the newly registered youngster, who had bowled his first wood on a short mat just 24 hours earlier.

The ROBBERS finally faced Bournemouth Electric at home with a fours team of Anita Evans, Jim Keighley, Millie Tuck and guest skip Richard Clayton, and a triples line-up of Robin Evans, Irene Drummond and Maureen Bishop.

The visitors started well on both mats, and were consistent throughout. Ten ends into the fours we were behind by just a shot at 7-8, but with four out of the last five ends going against us the final score was 8-15.

The triples mat was closer, with the teams tied at 17-17 going into the final end. Once again, Bournemouth Electric finished strongly, picking up 3 shots to win 20-17.

ROBBERS 25 – 35 BOURNEMOUTH ELECTRIC (0 – 6)

While the Robbers match was taking place at the Anne Biddlecombe Hall, the KOPS were at Okeford Fitzpaine for their Dorset League Division 1 fixture.

Okeford dominated the fours, winning 19-5. However, on the triples mat the Kops fared better, running out as winners by 14 shots to 10.

OKEFORD FITZPAINE 29 – 19 KOPS (4 – 2)