PARWICH.ORG

Only one match this week as Parwich Bowling Club had a bye on Tuesday evening, giving us all a chance to watch Yes Minister and an opportunity to see what really goes on behind the corridors of power….
Thus it was a refreshed and rested team that set off for Bakewell on Thursday afternoon. There’s no doubting that Baedeca’s Wella (as originally known) is a lovely old historical town, however best not visited during half-term following a bank holiday Monday; the place was heaving with holidaymakers and finding a parking space took a considerable chunk out of our day.
A rattling good contest it was though when the match got under way. Bakewell’s somewhat eccentric green, tucked away in an attractive setting behind carefully tended gardens and between architectural gems, is not so much of a smooth crown in its topology but more resembling of a scale model of the Dark Peak. Woods in pursuit of the jack are apt to come off Kinder and be diverted along the Snake Pass! But it was great fun, it was a fine place to play nonetheless and, surrounded by benches full of enthralled tourists resting after their lunchtime tarts and puddings, we bowled well as a unit. After several close pairings that swung one way then another Parwich were eventually narrowly beaten by 136 to 119, but, according to the published League table on Friday, retain our top position.
The coming week sees us scheduled to play at home twice, Tuesday evening and Thursday afternoon. Let’s keep it going Parwich! 

Mark J

After the first month and a half of the season being played out in rain, hail, sleet, fog and blizzards, I realised yesterday that crown green bowls can be just as enjoyable when played as a summer sport. On a balmy sunny afternoon at Parson’s Croft yesterday the Parwich team; a finely honed and well-oiled machine of a group if there ever was one, extended their hold on the top of the Matlock Thursday League with a thumping 148 to 94 win over Whitworth Park. There were some close encounters though, with spirited fightbacks offered by the visitors in many of the games before our own cavaliers refused to give up the cause and battle to the ultimate victory. Dot and Sue, and Fran and Penny indeed are worthy of mentions here for shining though in their doubles encounters, and I believe we then triumphed in all of the singles games. Fair play indeed to Whitworth for a great and enjoyable match.
This, though, was not the case in the Tuesday League when only two evenings before our travelling band had to admit we were definitively beaten on Wirksworth’s huge and tricky green. Home advantage and a team of very experienced bowlers told as we eventually went down by around 20 points. All of our players certainly gave it all they had and it’s worthy of mention that we won a couple of the games quite convincingly, but I have to say that Wirksworth’s knowledge and class told in the end. 
The overriding factor though is; what smashing people we have met both on our travels and welcomed to our home ground. It’s been a pleasure to have shared some of these people’s time and to have competed in a friendly but determined manner against them. It’s what sport’s about! Mark J…

A look at the League Table this morning revealed that Parwich have taken top spot following our impressive 146 to 88 victory at home to Chatsworth yesterday. The match in fact had looked a bit dodgy just an hour or two before start time as the rain teemed down, but it dried up quite considerably to allow us all to commence, We fought well from start to finish, from Dawn and Penny taking the first doubles scalp, to Keith and Tony being victorious in the final singles games some three hours later on a freezing cold afternoon. Thanks to Edith and Dot for keeping everyone’s central heating going with steaming mugs of Rosie Lea (mine looked like crude oil – just how I like it!) What a nice bunch of people the opposition were as well.
Fortunes had been a little different on Tuesday night though at Matlock Park where we came up against a well-honed outfit who richly deserved their crushing win over our endeavoured battalion. Most certainly not for the want of trying, but have to hand it to the home team on this occasion. How good though to be able to sit inside a fish and chip shop on the way to the match and rediscover just a little of the pleasures we’ve had to live without for so long.
Next week’s matches see us on the road again to Wirksworth Tuesday and then Whitworth at home Thursday afternoon. Come on Parwich, keep it up!

Signed off as a very proud Mark J…