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With only four games to go on the quest for the coveted Thursday League Trophy, Derbyshire’s bowlers have the luxury of a day off this coming week, which in our case must be used to get bodies rested, minds focused and muscles toned for the final push through September. Whilst Premiership footballers go on training camps to Dubai, Spain and other exotic locations the reserves of a Matlock and District bowls club mean our team-building will consist more of a round of drinks in The Sycamore, so be assured that the next time we take to the green our Team will be as a coiled sprung unit.
This week however started shakily as we entertained local rivals Wirksworth – always formidable opponents – at Parson’s Croft. It was to be a mammoth match, with games going right down to the final few points and in one case a game lasting just shy of two hours. But, of course, played in a great friendly spirit and a most enjoyable night was had by all present. The result? Well, it could hardly have been closer as we came away on the wrong end of a 70 to 67 scoreline; yes, a mere 3 points in it!
For Thursday’s match at Whitworth Park I have to admit I wasn’t present for once, having availed myself of the opportunity of watching Derbyshire play Surrey in the 50 over One Day Cup. I’m pleased to report though that with strength in depth in the Club we once again recorded a victory by 139 to 108 and thus keep ourselves in contention. For whatever unknown reason, as I write this on Sunday morning our major challengers Bradwell have yet to put their score in so I’m unable to comment on the gap, though with over 200 points separating us we won’t be caught this week.  
And it’s to Bradwell that we travel this Tuesday, a final chance this season to assess and to put fear into our rivals. A very difficult green to play, and so a considerable home advantage will have to be overcome, but rest assured, Dear Reader, that we will give it nothing but our best shot! 

Mark J…

As we all sit glued to our television sets watching heroic displays by our athletes over two weeks of Olympic glory we can only wonder a massive “What if” were Crown Green Bowling currently included. For once again Parwich hang by the fingernails in gold medal position in the Thursday League. A win by 131 to 112 away at Chatsworth took us back to top spot, but with last week’s leaders Bradwell having a bye I’m not sure the margin is as convincing as we would have wanted to see it. It has to be said that my own form, pleasing though it’s been to date for a newcomer to the game, deserted me somewhat when I came up against a very strong and experienced player, and on this occasion my personal result hurt well into the night. Other members pulled us round and, on this trickiest of greens, we came away with the victory. Though as we reach the final few laps of the season I can’t help thinking it’ll need a superhuman effort and concentration on every delivery to keep us on course to be first across that line.
Tuesday had seen us gain another rather narrow win, 73-65, at home to Matlock Park in a gripping match that went down to the wire. On that night I went home a happy man indeed, oh how fortunes can be changed in 48 hours in sport. Well done to everyone for a battling performance of grit and resolve to bring this one home; always a tough side to beat.
So as the curtain comes down in Tokyo and our heroes return home with their treasures of gold, silver and bronze, there are still many hurdles to be straddled on greens up and down Derbyshire as your own local lionhearts prepare to face local rivals Wirksworth at home Tuesday evening – and then a big win will be needed at Whitworth Park on Thursday to ease us off the bend into the home straight. Should the chairmen of Olympic committees of the World have a change of heart ahead of Paris 2024, Parwich will be ready! 

Mark J…

Oh dear, oh dear…. This is the report I didn’t want to have to write. My regretful duty is to inform you all that we have dropped to second in the Matlock and District Thursday League. Yes, ok, we won on Thursday, at home, against a spirited Baslow side, but even as I ambled home after the match I reflected that we hadn’t won by enough. So it proved to be when the results and new table were published on Friday morning; Bradwell had had a stonking victory at Whitworth Park, scoring near maximum points to secure the coveted top spot and, albeit hopefully, temporarily, deposing us.
But all is not lost Parwich! There are six fixtures remaining and time enough for us to regroup and take this title. We will lick our wounds and rally ourselves to go all out for victory on Thursday. Albeit an away fixture at Chatsworth won’t be the easiest venue to conquer, it’s a tight and particularly tricky green, with some good local players to boot, but I know that we as a team can believe. The thought of filling that trophy with champagne – sponsorship of which I have now been kindly offered by our friends at The British Legion, is not something that we intend to let go lightly.  
We started poorly by our standards Thursday, no doubt about that, and were falling narrowly behind after the doubles. But some great results in the singles by Dawn, Tony, Edith, Harry and Keith gave us the win in the end. 
The Tuesday league picks up again this week after a bye last Tuesday, when we will face Matlock Park at home. We’re currently around mid-table in this competition, but do have two or three games in hand and, after some very good recent results, could yet pull ourselves up among the leaders.  
Watch this space for glorious news next week, We WILL be back! Come On Parwich! 

Mark J…