WHILST our ladies’ and gents’ league matches continue on a weekly basis, we are also embracing our internal club competitions, as well as those against other clubs.
The Ray Percival mixes triples ended in a win for Mary Millard, Geoff Yorath and David Howell. They finished with the same number of points as Maureen Cavill, Ken Gaull and Richard Watkins but pipped them by a three-shot difference.
In the men’s two wood, Geoff Yorath and Paul Matthews came out on top and will play each other at our finals day in September.
Our ladies beat Chew Stoke in the Southey Cup and now face Alexandra Park in the next round. In the Top Club competition, they went under to a very strong Long Ashton side. Our gents also lost their Top Club fixture, playing away to a strong Bath team.
Our club chairman, Steve Coles, is also president of the Somerset Bowls Association. This entitles him to host a series of county matches on his club’s green, one of which is between the county and his own club.
Our president, John Nix, was on the gate to welcome players of both sides to our green. After the game, all players sat down for a meal prepared by Maggie Davies and her crew of caterers, with the Keynsham captain of the day, Paul Matthews, acting as the master of ceremonies.
John Nix said grace and, after the meal, asked all to stand for a toast to His Majesty the King. Paul then called on our men’s club captain, Bob Edge, to welcome all our guests.
He expressed his pleasure at seeing so many past Somerset presidents attending and said he hoped to see many of them at the two county games Keynsham will host.
Bob was pleased to announce that the raffle raised £206 for the Great Western Air Ambulance Service, which is the ladies’ and gents’ captains’ chosen charity for 2026.
In announcing the county as victors in the game, Bob said the occasion was all about new friendships being forged and old friendships renewed. He concluded by asking everyone to raise a toast to the Somerset Bowls Association.
Our MC Paul then invited president Steve to say a few words, followed by a conclusion to the day’s proceedings and wishing all a safe journey home.
This was an afternoon, I would suggest, that firmly illustrated the friendship and camaraderie of lawn bowling.
Mike Barrow