Bowls round-up: New tournament an instant hit at North Mymms

The Geoff Matthews Gala is named for a former club captain and chairman who had a 12-year tenure.

His father, Charlie, was a founder member of the club in 1938 while Geoff joined in 1985.

The new event saw 14 teams involved and was due to be played over four rounds until rain forced an early finish with one still to be played.

It left Ian Hulley as the winner of the spider but the gala winners were Ivan Coleman, Pam Bond and Sue Burbidge ahead of Michael Scandrett, Libby Parker and Tracy Woods.

The presentation was led by current chairman, Terry Atkinson, assisted by Geoff himself.

The day raised more than £700 for the Cancer Research charity.

The gala itself will now become a regular on the calendar.

Like North Mymms, Shire Park Bowls Club (Tewin) also had their week's activities disrupted by the weather and they had limited success in the district competitions.

In the District fours, Gus Edwards, Ian Kirsch, Rob Kenway and skip Mike Howe lost at home to a Harpenden in the fours while Edwards and Kirsch were beaten in the pairs by WGC.

Howe and Kenway lost at home to a Harpenden pair too but Edwards, Kirsch and Howe did win away to Hemel Hempstead in the triples.

The men also fared badly in the Friday district triples, losing both home and away to Potters Bar.

The ladies though had an excellent win against Oakhill, with Laura Hastings, Karen Watts and Elaine Wulcko winning 37-6 at home in a 50-17 overall success.

In the East Herts League, Shire Park took five points at home to Standon & Puckeridge, drawing on one rink and winning on the other, with new bowler Martin Taylor making his league debut.

Shire Park lost 94-89 away to Bounds Green, the top rink being Sue Venables, Andy Short and Bill Draycott who won 29-12, and they also lost 53-40 away to Grovelands.

The top rink was Martin Taylor, Alan Goddard and Dave Venables who lost 12-11.

Datchworth's Blue team were at home to Sawbridgeworth Reds in Division One of the East Herts Bowls League and won 44-29.

Both rinks won but the better of the two was that of Mike Mahoney, who had to be replaced part the way through the game by Dickie Jackson, Derek Henley and Les Parsley.

They won 24-15.

Datchworth also won in Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League Division Two, 36-29 away to Bengeo.

This time there was just one winning rink, a 23-8 success for Rachel Jones, Terry Metcalf and Keith Smith.

The club's men played their penultimate County League match away to Sele Farm and came back with a 29-29 draw.

Jackson, Richard Harper, Steve Arnold and Parsley recovered from a 12-2 deficit after nine ends to win 16-15, claiming four shots on the final end.

George Campbell, Rob Hazeu, Jim Smith and Henley meanwhile went into the final end trailing 14-11 but two shots gave them the overall draw.

No play was possible on Saturday at Potters Bar Bowls Club. Picture: PBBC (Image: Potters Bar Bowls Club)

The annual fixture for the George Edwards Cup, presented to Potters Bar in memory of their former president, was postponed as The Walk's green was left submerged in water.

They did manage to get some games played this week though.

In the St Albans & District competitions Sue Powers. Ann Wood and Pam Rodgers progressed into the next round of the ladies' triples with a 21-15 win over Batchwood and the same club were beaten by Richard Pearce in the men’s singles, the score there 21-12.

In the Day Cup, Bar have started well with three wins from three, the latest a resounding success against East Barnet Valley.

Three teams from the club travelled to Garston on Sunday in the semi-final of the County Club Championship.

However, Garston took the win and went on to win the final for the third year running.

For further information, the club’s website at www.pottersbar-bc.com has been completely updated.

Alternatively, anyone interested in playing lawn bowls at the Potters Bar can email pbmembershipsec@gmail.com or call 0208 360 3321.