Pineholt Bowls Club - A Grand Day Out!
On Sunday 9th July a mixed party of bowlers and supporters headed east across the Severn to Pineholt Bowling Club near Gloucester. The long-awaited Grand Day Out organised by Jan and John Berry was underway. Peter and Howard blazed a trail by car and the Mainline bus followed after a short diversion via Tongwynlais to collect Peter, Barrie and Dawn. The relatively short journey saw us arrive at Pineholt and two aborted attempts to reverse the huge coach down a narrow snaky lane. Beautiful sunny weather greeted the tourists as did our very friendly and welcoming hosts. We settled down on the verandah with drinks and admired the magnificent view of the green and well-kept surrounding gardens. A superb buffet soon followed leaving the Tyrchs wondering how they would be able to get up and bowl after such a magnificent feast - tactics, perhaps?
The match result proved that home advantage had played it's part, but despite a very heavy defeat, 144-76 the match was played in great spirit with everyone having enjoyed themselves, especially John Berry's rink who needed six shots to win at the final end - and got them, to win 20-19. The other 5 Pentyrch rinks were defeated as follows: Brian Ilbery lost 15-21, Mark Krawiecki lost 9-27, Barrie Thomas 10-28,Jan Berry 13-21 and Ian Broxton 9-28. Well done to Dawn for making her debut for Pentyrch. The mid-break for tea did not have much impact on the result of the match as sometimes happens but probably had an impact on waistlines.
The post-match speeches followed with thanks from Pineholt Captain Bob and Eileen replied on Pentyrch's behalf in entertaining style after a musical introduction of "When Irish Eyes are Smiling" and Come On Eileen".
Captain Eileen presented Chairman Gareth with a pennant as a souvenir of our visit. Finally, Pineholt President Mark gave a very gracious speech thanking the visitors for coming and said kind words about our website. The idea of Pineholt making a trip over the water to Pentyrch next year was enthusiastically cheered and would be a great way to continue a friendship made so quickly, and illustrated so well by our two club flags flying side by side in the Hucclecote breeze.
The match result proved that home advantage had played it's part, but despite a very heavy defeat, 144-76 the match was played in great spirit with everyone having enjoyed themselves, especially John Berry's rink who needed six shots to win at the final end - and got them, to win 20-19. The other 5 Pentyrch rinks were defeated as follows: Brian Ilbery lost 15-21, Mark Krawiecki lost 9-27, Barrie Thomas 10-28,Jan Berry 13-21 and Ian Broxton 9-28. Well done to Dawn for making her debut for Pentyrch. The mid-break for tea did not have much impact on the result of the match as sometimes happens but probably had an impact on waistlines.
The post-match speeches followed with thanks from Pineholt Captain Bob and Eileen replied on Pentyrch's behalf in entertaining style after a musical introduction of "When Irish Eyes are Smiling" and Come On Eileen".
Captain Eileen presented Chairman Gareth with a pennant as a souvenir of our visit. Finally, Pineholt President Mark gave a very gracious speech thanking the visitors for coming and said kind words about our website. The idea of Pineholt making a trip over the water to Pentyrch next year was enthusiastically cheered and would be a great way to continue a friendship made so quickly, and illustrated so well by our two club flags flying side by side in the Hucclecote breeze.