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Parwich Crown Green Bowling Club proudly show off the Matlock and District Thursday League Runners-Up Shield outside The Sycamore Inn, where a fine lunch capped off a most successful season.
“Roll On” April

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You may have already heard on THE TELEGRAPH, (though the casual OBSERVER may not yet be enlightened,) that Parwich have finished second in the Matlock Thursday League and thus won the coveted promotion spot to Division One. 

And what an end to the Season it was! On the final day we all trooped over to Chatsworth in dreadful conditions, only to find the green almost totally underwater battered by rain, wind and MAIL-strom; quite obvious that the match was to be called off half an hour before the start time. A conflab ensued, the outcome of which was that we EXPRESSed a desire to reconvene on Sunday morning to play what was a vital match for us.

THE SUNDAY PEOPLE of Parwich, together with some travelling SPECTATORs were up and breakfasted early, before THE MORNING STAR had left the sky, and the determined bunch made their way once again to Chatsworth. Our League position dictated that we didn’t actually have to win to finish in the top two, merely to avoid defeat by the comfortable margin of 81 points; only a complete disaster would have spoiled our party. As THE SUN warmed us over the doubles games it became clearer by the end that we were to achieve our aim and by lunchtime our promotion was well and truly confirmed with a 131 to 124 victory in our favour. Actually most enjoyable at that time of day and a refreshing change to THE EVENING STANDARD contests.

We will therefore be THE GUARDIANs of the Runners-Up Shield for twelve months.

The previous Tuesday a very respectable 77-55 win at home to Whitworth saw us finish in fourth place in the other League; out of 11 very good teams I trust the reader will consider as a worthy achievement.

So good TIMES indeed for Parwich Bowls Club. Over the close season, as well as necessary ground maintenance we should all look in THE MIRROR and proudly reflect on our glories. Thanks go to all our own players and those we’ve MET RO-aming throughout the Derbyshire Peaks over the summer.

And before anyone says it, yes this has been an INDEPENDENT review… That’s all Folks, see you next year.

M.J.

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Many may be UNDERWEAR that the crown green bowling season is reaching its’ final fortnight, but there are in fact only two games in each league to go until the end of a hard-fought season. Although it’s TIGHT at the top of each league I’ll only make BRIEF mention of Tuesdays and SUSPENDER the full report on that until next time, for the current situation is that we’re poised to grab the all-important second spot in the Thursday competition. After inVESTing much time on Sunday afternoons in practice routines it’s come down to whether we can win at home to Matlock Park this week and then KNICKER win on Thursday week at Chatsworth to be able to BASQUE in the final glory.

We’ve had some impressive results, winning six out of our last seven outings to be able to be in this position, some by decent margins and some have gone down to the G-STRING, so BRA-vo to all players for their efforts over these games. Good wins against Baslow, Chatsworth, Youlgrave and Matlock Bath, albeit tempered with a narrow BLOOMER at Hathersage this week have left us looking the side with our SOCKS pulled well up.

It has been a difficult season for conditions. Whilst I’m sure we all welcome a long, hot summer for a change, a lack of rain has inevitably taken a toll on greens. Warm weather has seen many that are a lot faster than would normally be expected, and lack of breeze has caused players to PANT around the various arenas at times. But all credit must go to LONG-JOHN (H) whose tireless efforts have ensured that we have a decent surface to play on, with both mower and clever use of HOSIERY to keep it moist when required. No doubt we’ll be STOCKING up with BOXERS of grass seed to repair patches where necessary in time for next year’s campaign.

So we’ll do what we can to end the season not feeling RIPPED-OFF. We shall GIRDLE our loins. Let’s just make sure we don’t SLIP up; Is it in our own hands? – CORSET is.

M.J.

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There’s just no stopping Parwich at the moment. High-flying in both leagues having won nine out of our last twelve outings with promotion still achievable in both; it’s all there in black and white, and no two ways about it, we’re seeing red and going for gold.

Since my last report, on Thursdays we’ve recently given Matlock Park, Whitworth, Wirksworth and Chatsworth the blues, and can only hope that our friends from neighbouring clubs don’t leave our Village particularly browned off – though maybe a little green with envy. Some of these have been thumping wins, Baslow in particular was a triumph for us when all pulled out the stops under azure and orange July skies to win 148 to 115, and at Wirksworth we were in the pink after prevailing 135 to 84 on an arena that’s not always been kind to us over the years. (Well, it merited a celebration for some of us in The Rising Sun on the way home.)

In the Tuesday League why we’re not further up is a grey area. We find ourselves in fourth by only a single point; 1056 to Bradwell’s 1057. Following the narrowest of a two-point slip-up at Matlock Bath and excepting a substantial loss at the in-form Tideswell, we have won the past four games on the trot – including a maximum point win at home to Bakewell last week. 

Tonight, despite yellow warnings for winds and rain, we head to Bradwell, hopefully to continue our onward march, while Thursday we’re back at home for the visit of Youlgrave, and some epic battles against them we’ve certainly enjoyed in the past. Two more home games follow next week with us preparing to entertain Matlock Bath and Matlock Park.

Any support would always be welcome, and why not try this most absorbing of games for yourself at one of the Sunday practice sessions? Who knows, it may even bring a hint of colour to your cheeks.

Mark J

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Around a third of the way through the fixtures for this season sees Parwich sitting in third and fourth places respectively in the Tuesday and Thursday leagues. An even SPREAD of wins and losses across both competitions sees us poised to get on a ROLL and strike for glory in either to take the spoils come September. 

On the Tuesday format we have to date had great wins on the road at Bradwell and BAKEWELL (ha, that could have been one…) and at home last week in a particularly thrilling encounter to Chatsworth, whilst suffering narrow losses at home to Tideswell and at Matlock Park and Wirksworth. Thursday’s we’re unbeaten at home but form away has let us down at Baslow, Youlgrave and Matlock Bath. But there’s time. 

However Team Captain Dawn will need to use her LOAF before each and every game, motivating all members to emerge from their COTTAGE or FARMHOUSE, wearing their best bowling BLOOMERS. Conditions need to be taken into account; a recent application of fertiliser to one green turned the surface to MARMALADE; while two away matches and a friendly in a week can cause a fixtures JAM – in which case players need to CONSERVE their energy.

CRUMBS – We’ve even managed in between to SANDWICH friendly matches with local clubs Chatsworth and Hazelwood which have gone a long way to enhance the social side of the sport and which have been endowed with sumptuous teas for refreshment. A WHOLE MEAL indeed.

This week sees us back on our travels; to Whitworth Park on Tuesday and Matlock Park on Thursday, (which in this heat may see us DRIPPING.) Two stern tests indeed which would see us move up the two leagues respectively if we can hold our nerve. (If we can’t then we’re TOAST.)

Anyway, no more FLOURy words from me – it’s all been great fun. There’s a good spirit in the team but there’s always room for new players to have a SLICE of the action. Don’t be CRUSTy, you won’t KNEAD any DOUGH, just turn up on a Sunday practice and have a go; bring a friend and you can say “I’ve brought MA MITE with me.”  But don’t leave it too long you’ll find yourself saying “Sorry HONEY, the season SCONE.”

M.J.

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One thing we can be sure of is that what Parwich Bowls Club lose on the Swings they’ll make up for on the Roundabouts.Thus the carousel was boarded last Tuesday with the visit of Matlock Bath to Parson’s Croft where a warm night saw a memorable battle end in a narrow defeat. However far from a Helter-Skelter spiral downwards this breathless encounter ebbed and flowed like the Octopus under full steam; the Merry-Go-Round palpitant until the final wood was delivered and our wayfaring counterparts left our premises with handshakes and a 57-52 victory.Therefore bowls practice on Sunday afternoon was therefore well-attended with team members determined to halt the run of the Ghost Train. We took long, hard looks at ourselves in the mythological Hall of Mirrors that are our consciences and vowed to turn the Tarot Cards in our favour next time out.And so it was that the Ferris Wheel took us up the road to Bradwell this week laden with waterproofs for the expected deluge that the Met Office Fortune Tellers led us to expect. The match, though, was played under dry skies with Candy Floss clouds. The bowls green at Bradwell offers a vastly differing experience to our own at the best of times with its vicious Wall of Death run-offs, but due to the extended spell of clement conditions last night it was running as fast as a Walzer. We’d consequently have to be at our best to come away with anything resembling a positive result – and at our best we were! We weaved around like Dodgems on a track, delivered woods as One-Armed Bandits and cancelled opposing shots as Coconuts on a Shy. A final result of 75 to 57 has put us up to fourth in the table with two weeks gone, and the Thursday League still yet to start at the beginning of May.Wherever the season goes from here – you can be sure it’ll have “All the Fun of the Fair….”

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Matlock Thursday Friendly League

Played Thursday afternoons 1.45pm Start

Thu 1st May Whitworth Away
Thu 8th May Wirksworth A Home
Thu 15th May Baslow Away
Thu 22nd May Chatsworth B Home
Thu 29th May Youlgrave B Away
Thu 5th Jun Matlock Bath Away
Thu 12th Jun Hathersage A Home
Thu 19th Jun Matlock Park Away
Thu 26th Jun Chatsworth A Home
Thu 10th Jul Whitworth Home
Thu 17th Jul Wirksworth A Away
Thu 24th Jul Baslow Home
Thu 31st Jul Chatsworth B Away
Thu 7th Aug Youlgrave B Home
Thu 14th Aug Matlock Bath Home
Thu 21st Aug Hathersage A Away
Thu 28th Aug Matlock Park Home
Thu 4th Sep Chatsworth A Away

Matlock and District Bowls League

Played Tuesday Evenings Start 6pm

Tue 8 Apr Matlock Bath Home
Tue 15 Apr Bradwell B Away
Tue 22 Apr Hope Works B Home
Tue 29 Apr Baslow Away
Tue 6 May Tideswell Home
Tue 13 May Bakewell Away
Tue 20 May Bradwell A Home
Tue 27 May Matlock Park B Away
Tue 3 Jun Wirksworth Away
Tue 10 Jun Chatsworth B Home
Tue 17 Jun Whitworth ParkAway
Tue 24 Jun Matlock Bath Away
Tue 1 Jul Bradwell B Home
Tue 8 Jul Hope Works B Away
Tue 15 Jul Baslow Home
Tue 22 Jul Tideswell Away
Tue 29 Jul Bakewell Home
Tue 5 Aug Bradwell A Away
Tue 12 Aug Matlock Park B Home
Tue 19 Aug Wirksworth Home
Tue 26 Aug Chatsworth B Away
Tue 2 Sep Whitworth Park Home

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Toy Story VI – The Bowls Club 2024 Season

The 2024 Crown Green Bowling season has ended, woods will have been placed under stairs throughout the Parish and we’ve put the JACK IN THE BOX safely in the pavilion. For a so-called summer sport we have played in sunshine; we have played in drizzle; we have played in downpours; and we have played in hailstorms like glass MARBLES. Throughout the season though the Parwich green stood up to everything the elements threw at it, and commendations must go to John H and his array of MECCANO for his hard work in keeping it in pristine order.

The Thursday League has once again shown Parwich as a YO-YO club alternating promotion and relegation between the two divisions. Sadly the euphoria of last year was reversed with us going down like DOMINOES and being rooted to the bottom of Division one and therefore taking the drop. Ah well, no team can have the MONOPOLY on staying up. No doubt next year we will aspire to POGO back up again.

The Tuesday League saw us finish mid-table after a very good first half of what became a SEE-SAW of a season, winning ten and losing eight matches, jumping through HOOPS to capture glory, alas it was not to be; a ROCKING HORSE as they say, keeps moving but makes no progress. Eventual League winners Youlgrave and runners-up Chatsworth showed the resolve of TIN SOLDIERS in their bids to not “LEGO” of their lofty positions (sorry about that one.)

There were some epic battles and much excitement in the final few games; the narrowest of defeats at home to both Matlock Bath and Wirksworth were avenged by a great victory at Bakewell, with all the twists and turns of a RUBIK’S CUBE in front of their DOLLS HOUSE of a pavilion (following an initial postponement in which the surface resembled more PLAY-DOH than greensward.) In the final game at Chatsworth the action unravelled with the whirring velocity of a SPINNING TOP, though we came up short by just a mere few points as the match went with a SCRABBLE seemingly long after darkness began to fall.

The campaign then wrapped up with two Club competitions, all had good fun, two sets of winners and no-one threw their TOYS out of the pram! Congratulations to Keith and Tony then Frances and Rick respectively. We’ll all be SKIPPING to The Sycamore for our end of season lunch where your gleaming trophies will be awarded and we can all go CONKERS!

In conclusion then certainly not a TRIVIAL PURSUIT, a lot of fun, a few highs, some lows which we’ve taken on the chin, and what we’ve lost on the SWINGS we made up for on the ROUNDABOUTS.

THAT’S ALL FOLKS…..see you next year.

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That’s the Top and Bottom of It.

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Home Advantage Counting for Little – So Far!

This time last year I wrote: “The last vestiges of winter have been defenestrated, young birds are hatching, lawns are being mowed again.” This year however I can no longer cast the mind back to three consecutive days without rain! Under the circumstances wonders have been worked to get the green ready for the bowls season and John should indeed take a bow for doing so.

Not an auspicious start, though. We began the Thursday League season with a home encounter with last year’s League champions Tideswell. They didn’t gain that recognition without reason and humbled us somewhat, making it clear that we’ll need to work hard to remain in the newly attained status of Division One.  

On Thursday this week we were due to visit our old friends at Bakewell, but necessary maintenance to their playing surface dictated that our fixtures against them this year be switched. Therefore the match was played at Parwich, in Arctic conditions I may add, but enforced “home” advantage was not taken and we were again left to lick our wounds at the finish, albeit by a mere 5 points this time.

Other teams will no doubt be in similar boats with Bakewell at present, so it’s quite possible that they will be left to play the second half of the season on the surface they know so well.

However the season is a marathon and not a sprint. We’ve seen what we’re up against and will put things right. We’ll approach each game with all guns blazing and I’m sure can rise up that table and be there or thereabouts come the latter stages of the campaign. Vagaries of the fixtures calendar mandate that we don’t play away from home until the first Thursday in May, as the Tuesday League season starts with home match against Hope Works tomorrow night (23rd April) and then an “Away” visit to Bakewell on our own patch…

2nd May we will incur petrol costs for the first time with a day out to Belper.

Support would be most welcome as we recover the iffy start and strive to bring the silverware home – but suggest you bring a raincoat!  Like and follow us too on Facebook/Parwich Crown Green Bowling Club

Mark J.

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They Did it for The King, Now They’ve Done it for Parwich!

What more suitable way to mark our 139 to 92 home win over Matlock Bath on Thursday than with a flypast by the Red Arrows? As the last of the doubles pairings left the green with the advantage turning our way the boys in those wonderful scarlet Hawks swooped over our tidy stadium in “Box” formation. (Maybe they flew on elsewhere just as an excuse to be able to celebrate with us, but) how many Crown Green Bowling clubs can boast that?

It was an emphatic victory, though an afternoon well-enjoyed by both sides in the warm June sunshine. Congratulations to Lynn who picked up a fine victory on her debut with the Club. In fact we went on to win all six of the singles games to put us within touching distance of the impressive Belper Meadows at the business end of the League Table.

Two days before we were narrowly beaten in a most entertaining and exciting tussle at Whitworth Park; a match that went on far beyond the expected duration. On a green running so fat it was a feat in itself to control each shot, especially against a team who must have had a good deal of home advantage as it behaved far differently to our own, and also with the conditions darkening somewhat as nine o’clock loomed. Credit therefore to all for running them so close – there was a mere 5 points in it at the end. Warm handshakes and congratulations followed, until we all realised that car park time was running out and the exit from such resembled the old-fashioned Le Mans start!

This week sees the return of Matlock Bath for a Tuesday fixture, though in the different format of that competition it is likely that a different team will be playing and we’ll need to be on our mettle in order to take the spoils again. However it’s Thursday that carries the hunger and the lust for anticipation through the Bowls World as we travel to lock horns for the first time with Belper Meadows. Their record and indeed their reputation precedes them already this year and this undoubtedly promises to be our toughest test to date in the present campaign.  

Please like and follow “Parwich Crown Green Bowling Club” on our Facebook page and stay up to date with all the news.

Mark J.

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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.  

Please like and follow the Facebook page at Facebook/Parwich Crown Green Bowling Club.

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.

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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.

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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.  

Please like and follow the Facebook page at Facebook/Parwich Crown Green Bowling Club.

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.

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The last vestiges of winter have been defenestrated, young birds are hatching, lawns are being mowed again….. and bowling woods have emerged from hibernation in under-stairs cupboards. (Or just plain “cupboards” for those who live in bungalows.)

It’s good to be back in action. We began our season with a keenly-fought Club competition, with pairings being drawn at random and fun being had by all. Keith Brownlee and Dawn Alsopp emerged as worthy winners of the first trophy of the campaign, and well done to them.

However it was last Thursday that the serious stuff really got underway as we took the field in our first Thursday League match at home to a tricky Youlgreave side. Parwich fired on all cylinders and took the match 138 to 102 to set a standard in the top half of the table. Congratulations to Andrew Grant for a successful home debut as he started with a fine win. Great thanks though must go to the Youlgreave Team for making it a thrilling contest and for being such a sporting crowd in The Sycamore afterwards.

I will take a few moments here to publicise the upcoming Open Day that we will be holding at the Club on Saturday May 20th. This is aimed at showing as many people as possible what an enjoyable sport Crown Green Bowling is and inviting everyone to have a go with good tuition and some sociable refreshment. Please come along and join us during the afternoon: if you don’t enjoy it then there’s no pressure to return, but if you don’t give it a go you’ll never know….

A further reminder that you can also follow the Parwich Team’s news and fortunes on Facebook/Parwich Crown Green Bowling Club.

This Thursday we travel to Matlock Park and on Tuesday evening 2nd May we will be at home, again to Youlgreave, to begin our Tuesday League season. As they say in today’s jargon – Bring it On!

Mark J.

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Another Crown Green Bowls season has come to a close, and woods throughout Derbyshire will have been cleaned and lovingly stored in understairs cupboards to sit out the long winter ahead.

Unquestionably it has been a campaign of mixed fortunes for the Parwich Team. Our better displays were in the Matlock and District Tuesday League, finishing fifth out of ten teams with a record of twelve games won and six defeats. Skipper Dawn found pairings that worked and largely stuck with them, and it’s fair to say that there were some notable nail-biting tussles along the way. Some matches finished with extremely tight winning (or losing) margins and I’m sure I speak for most when I say there were a few “If only’s” along the way. A couple of matches that stick in the memory were away at Bradwell and the evening that we hosted our old friends from Wirksworth, these both went to the wire and brought out some fulfilling performances. I shall indulge myself by mentioning the game at Youlgrave, for despite the Team ultimately losing on arguably the most difficult surface at the best of times, striking fear into the hearts of visiting teams, my partnership with Tony produced a moment of great pride as we came from behind to triumph against the odds to feel that we’d played our part, (though I do wish they wouldn’t serve the tea in Co-op Funeral mugs…!)

The Thursday League, though, brought contrasting fortunes. It was July before we managed to score our first victory and ultimately only won three of the twenty matches in the schedule, thereby losing our status in Division One that we strove so hard to win the promotion into last year. Exactly what went wrong can only be put down to being “One of those things,” and I am sure that with the right motivation we will enter the arena next term in a refreshed state of mind ready to leave no stone unturned in the fight to regain our rightful standing.

Yet the season was not just all about league action; we did enjoy a very successful Club competition which took the form of Rolling Pairs, a format to which many of us were previously unaware but was hugely convivial and entertaining. The rules unfolded as the afternoon wore on, as did many trays of sandwiches and cakes, and at the end of it all winners Sue A and John H were presented with a most splendid cup. 

Nevertheless it was all fun. The feeling of being part of a team competing to win is surely unrivalled; along the way visiting hidden corners of the Peak District that holiday adventurers may never see and discovering gems of watering holes on journeys home, reflecting on battles won and lost, but always with a satisfaction of having given one’s best. All that remains now is to paint Parwich red at the end of season Bowls Lunch, and then it’s roll on next season, for those woods can’t stay hidden in the dark for too long, you know…..   (Mark J)

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…And there really is no in between…

It’s been a few weeks since a bowls report last appeared on here, which is not to say that activities on the greens have been curtailed in any way. In the Tuesday League we continue to exert pressure on the leaders with some thrilling and absorbing fixtures. Two weeks ago a particularly spirited display saw us win 68-58 away at Bradwell, always good to have a positive result up there. I will remember my own pairing with Tony A. for a long time in this one, we were 20-15 down and two woods to the deficit with just one in the hand to play, but we looked at each other and said “We’re not going to lose this.” We fought back to take the game 21-20! The following week we were triumphant again, this time at home to Bakewell, also by a relatively narrow margin of 79 to 66. Once again a victory felt good as I always consider Bakewell to be a very good team indeed. 

In the Thursday League fortune has not been so kind on us this year; we are yet still to win a game! Subsequent fixtures at Hazelwood, on their beautifully cared for venue that looks as if it were laid out by Capability Brown, and at home to Hope Works, and as pleasant a bunch of people as you’d meet anywhere, we went down to scores of 135-99 and 139-95 respectively. Seemingly it now requires a geeing-up and superhuman effort of epic proportions to pull us out of the relegation zone in the second half of the season and maintain our position in the top flight.

Last week brought defeats in each on the competitions, being away I’m unable to comment on the matches in detail, but we were both up against top of the table sides in each case and away at greens that our team were either playing for the first time or hadn’t visited for years, so maybe there’s some mitigation there.

There will be no match this Tuesday, our charge for glory will be temporarily put on hold. The League Secretary has decided that summer sports should be cancelled because it is now summer. The anticipated match against Whitworth Park will now be played deep into September when evenings are darkening and dew will be frosting on the green. 

…Mark J.

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SUNDAY AFTERNOON IS YOUR CHANCE TO JOIN US FOR A GAME OF BOWLS AT PARSON’S CROFT !

Each Sunday afternoon (starting 10^th April) through to the end of August from 2pm, weather permitting, club members will be holding their weekly social session down at Parson’s Croft. At the same time you are welcome to come and try your hand at Crown Green Bowls. We will be pleased to explain rules (not many!) and give advice. We have spare woods for you to use, all you need are flat shoes and a sense of humour!

We look forward to seeing you.

Please contact 390724 if you require further information

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Were crown green bowls matches to be shown on the BBC’s “Match of the Day” programme, then our home encounter with Chatsworth last Tuesday would surely have featured highly. Gary Lineker would have waxed lyrical while his team of pundits uttered their oohs, aahs and nods of approval in the right places with or without the Director General’s arm inserted into their backs from within, as on a warm and balmy summer’s evening we urged and coaxed each other on to our 71 to 59 victory. I dare say that even the Duke of Devonshire himself, had he been present to add support to his side, would have revelled in the excitement as he’d sipped his mug of Edith’s renowned tea and couple of chocolate biscuits. It had been a pleasure to play in and in no small part due to Chatsworth for their participation in such a match.

The occasion was so very nearly mirrored two days later as this time we hosted Bradwell for our Thursday League contest. Alas, ’twas not to be this time. In the competition in which we have as yet to score a win this term it was a case of “so near yet so far.” Behind after the doubles games we fought back well to hold a slender lead going into the final pairing, but Bradwell seem always to be fierce opponents and more often than not pull out a secret weapon when needed, this time being the indomitable Martin C who swept aside our hopes of a celebration that would undoubtedly gone on well into the night. (Well maybe not, but it sounds good.) The final score being a tantalisingly close 111 to 107 defeat and further consignment at the lower reaches of the table.

Nevertheless, as the hand of fate often dictates, we have our chance for revenge early as we travel on Tuesday to Bradwell in the tournament in which we are excelling this year. I’m looking forward to it, and trust that next week’s missal will contain tidings to make Parwich hearts sing.

   …Mark J.

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