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Back Down to Earth….

Were this piece to have been written a mere five days ago it would have appeared an altogether more upbeat epistle, for at that time your Bowls Club were still unbeaten across both the Tuesday and the Thursday competitions. However a week can be a long time in sport and during that time we came up against two very finely-honed troupes of bowlers and ended up humbled by each of them.  

Prior to this our relentless march looked impressive as we took on Chatsworth at their tricky venue for a Tuesday evening match; a green tight in either direction and with run-offs as remorseless as can be seen anywhere, and yet came away with a fine 75 to 69 victory. The journey home was a cheerful one that evening. A mere two days later we were on the road again, this time to Baslow. What an encounter that proved to be…. A ten point deficit after the opening doubles games began to suggest that our days of domination may be showing signs of faltering; but no – not with the spirit that was evident in the ensuing singles pairings as we battled for every point to redeem our position. It was as exciting a finish as this sport can throw up; absolutely level at the end. 123 points apiece, a draw being a fair result all round, methinks, and as warm handshakes all around undoubtedly suggested. A great game indeed for a debut to be made and it was great to welcome Gavin into the team to be a part of this.

But this week was to be different. Going into Tuesdays match brimmed with confidence, only to find a particularly strong Wirksworth outfit arriving at Parson’s Croft. Always a pleasure to play against our friends and neighbours from this fine town, we’ve had some great tussles over the years. This time they were to get the better of us and we finished to evening on the wrong end of a 79 to 64 scoreline that has seen us drop two places in the League. Thursday went pretty much the same way when Hope Works were our visitors. Once again ever gratifying to host such a band of amiable souls, nonetheless on this occasion it was they who laughed last and took the spoils 130 to 118. Such things though need to be taken on the chin and I’m sure we’ll regroup, lick our wounds and return stronger for it; well played to those who deservedly beat us.

What fortune awaits Parwich this week? Only time will tell, but I’m sure that no corner will be given in our sortie to Whitworth Park on Tuesday, nor for the visit of Matlock Bath on Thursday where we will aim once again to tuck in tight behind the League leaders. Come on Parwich!

Mark J.

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We Can’t Seem to Put a Foot Wrong….

Three weeks into the season and Parwich Crown Green Bowling Club remain unbeaten. In the Thursday League a fine 130 to 102 away win at Matlock Park last week and an equally impressive 136 to 103 victory over our friends and rivals from Wirksworth yesterday afternoon see us sitting pretty in 2nd spot in the table. It looks like we mean business this term in the quest to regain promotion to the First Division where we feel we belong.

Tuesday evening just gone we opened our account in the Tuesday League by beating Youlgrave at home 75-56 in a thrilling and most enjoyable encounter, that saw our visitors try and gain revenge for our Thursday win a couple of weeks ago, only for us to dig deep and come out on top in the end. What a nice bunch of people to play with though. I for one will look forward earnestly to our return match at their green and, as one of their number is a local pub landlord, a post-match pint perhaps in his hostelry, which I understand to be a fine place indeed.  

One way or another May will be a busy month at your bowls club. In addition to the programme of league matches stretching out across the two competitions, we will be entertaining the travelling Newport Oddfellows next Saturday, in what promises to be a sociable occasion, and then on the 20th we have the Open Day. This is an event in which we do sincerely hope that you will support us, turn up and see what an absorbing game this can be. As I stated last week, if you don’t enjoy it then there’s no pressure to return, but this will be a great chance to have a go and to have a bit of fun. The bowling green is such a magnificent facility in our Village; it’s up to all of us to see that its long-term future be ensured.  

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There is no game this Tuesday, but Thursday next the Team make the short journey to the striking setting of Chatsworth. A tricky place to play with its distinctive shape, slopes, run-offs and to come away maintaining the unbeaten record will indeed be a good result.

Mark J.

What a record we now have at this early stage of the season; Thursday League played 5 won 5; Tuesday League played 2 won 2. There is though one team keeping us off the top of the Thursday competition – Belper Meadows – but only by the narrowest of margins, and two others – Whitworth Park and Chatsworth – also with unbeaten starts on Tuesdays. That makes our visit to the Chatsworth club at Edensor tomorrow night into a crunch game. A difficult place to go at the best of times with its tight dimensions and vicious slopes, but I think we’re up for it. Likewise on Thursday we travel to Baslow who are fairly hot on our heels. Now whereas some greens palpably offer a home advantage, Baslow’s plays true each time on a finely manicured greensward that bears out the old adage of “May the best team win.” On such a surface there’s no reason why the one that wants it more on the day, shouldn’t.

Last week saw us make the journey to the fabulous setting of Bradwell on a warm Tuesday evening and come away with a fine 73-59 win in a very convivial encounter. Thursday we entertained Whitworth Park where a particularly competitive tussle, in which scores were neck and neck after the doubles rounds, eventually concluded with us taking the spoils in the singles to triumph at 135 to 113.

We’ve had two great Saturdays over the past fortnight: on the 13th together with the Parwich Oddfellows we hosted Newport Oddfellows to play for what has become an annual trophy. The tables in the Club’s pavilion groaned under the weight of sandwiches and cakes, their demise leading on to the fine barbecue presented by the Parwich men going on into the early evening. A good time was undeniably had by one and all.

Finally there was our Open Day this weekend, which was adjudged to have been a great success. My thanks to all who attended, both Club members and our many guests who came along to enjoy a little of what this absorbing game has to offer.

We shall give nothing but our best in the attempt to maintain the current momentum and ensure that the smiles at Parwich Crown Green Bowling Club remain firmly on our faces.

Mark J.