...Match Reports...

Website Report for week ending 25th April 2021.

President 42 Captain 65
After a year of just “Roll ups” our members were keen to get in some “proper bowling” over the weekend; but, due to the continuing Covid restrictions, they, along with all other sporting facilities, are restricted to what they can do before, during and after their games. So, it meant that our usual “President v Captain” season opener on Saturday was somewhat curtailed from what it normally is, with a maximum of 24 players allowed on the green at any one time and severe restrictions on the use of the Clubhouse and other facilities. Nevertheless, everyone involved enjoyed themselves, glad to be “proper bowling” again, and the “Captain’s team” ran out winners by 65 shots to 42. His own rink beat the President’s rink by 22 shots to 11. His rink Skipped by Derek Henley went down to the President’s rink, Skipped by Jim Smith, by 14 shots to 19. His other rink, Skipped by Chas Townley, beat John Oliver’s Skipped President’s rink, by 29 shots to 12.
B. Williams, C. Hills, I. Williams & P. Hills lost to J. Akers, G. Akers, N. Mean & S. Arnold 11-22; R. Jones, R. Hazeu, R. Harper & J. Smith beat S. Kiernan, H. Carrick, S. Chamberlain & D. Henley 19-14; J. Whittle, J. Holzbauer, P. Holzbauer & J. Oliver lost to L. Tyler, I. Tyler, J. Hales & C. Townley 12-29.

Datchworth 45 Baldock 84
For our first Friendly of the season, we travelled to Baldock and were heavily beaten by 84 shots to 45, after losing all four Triples played. The biggest contributor to that loss was the Captain’s own Triple, as they lost by 8 shots to 31. They had their noses in front, 4-3, after five ends but lost the next eight ends, to trail 4-26, and never got back in the hunt. Derek Henley’s Skipped Triple lost four more ends than they won and went down by four shots, 9-13. Peter Hills’ Skipped Triple were 17-11 in front with four ends to play, but they lost all of them to go down by 17 shots to 19. Despite losing just two more ends than they won Richard Harper’s Triple went down 11-21.
B. Williams, G. Akers & D. Henley lost to J. Russell, M. Reid & R. Dempster 9-13; C. Hills, I. Williams & S. Arnold lost to P. Page, D. Davies & M. Ingram 8-31; R. Jones, M. Mahoney & P. Hills lost to H. Chambers, I. Chambers & S. Budge 17-19; S. Kiernan, N. Mean & R. Harper lost to W. Budge, J. Davies & M. Parsons 11-21.

Website Report for week ending 2nd May 2021.

Datchworth 65 Rosehill 77
Only one match played by us this weekend, at home to Hoddesdon Rosehill on Saturday. And it was the visitors that came out winners by 77 shots to 65. Phil Holzbauer, Chris Hills and Skip Jim Smith built up a healthy 17-7 shot lead after eleven ends, before they lost the next six ends to go into the final end 17-18 down. They manged to pick up three shots on that end to come out winners by 20-18. Barbara Williams, Julian Hales and Skip Peter Hills won only one of the first seven ends, to trail 1-11, and never got back in the hunt despite winning all but four of the remaining eleven ends, they went down 14-20. Rachel Jones, Ian Williams and Skip Derek Henley were level at 8 apiece after twelve ends, before they picked up five shots on the thirteenth end. They held onto their lead till the end, and despite dropping five shots on the final end, they won 18-16. Janet Akers, Neil Mean and Skip Steve Arnold dropped too many 2s and 4s, while they only picked up 1s in the 13-23 loss.
P.Holzbauer, C.Hills & J.Smith beat D.Garrad, C.Eaton & K.Mizen 20-18; B.Williams, J.Hales & P.Hills lost to D.Kenton, D.Smith & T.Day 14-20; R.Jones, I.Williams & D.Henley beat P.Watson, M.Johns & N.Elmes 18-16; J.Akers, N.Mean & S.Arnold lost to B.Eaton, S.Ayton & J.Day 13-23.

Datchworth v Buntingford
This match was cancelled as visitors could not raise a team. Instead, as we had eighteen players wanting to play, we played an “In house” Triple’s game. Linda Tyler, Burt Edwards and Skip Peter Hills took on George Campbell, Ann Edwards and Skip Derek Henley and took an early 9-1 after seven ends. They held onto that lead and ran out winners by 20 shots to 11. Ian Tyler, Chris Hills and Skip Les Parsley shared the ends equally with Pauline Whybrow, John Oliver and Skip Richard Harper but went into the last end trailing by 13 shots to 14. They picked up three shots on that end to edge the win by 16 shots to 14. The remaining Triple saw Nicki Berry, Rob Hazeu and Skip Steve Chamberlain win the last five ends, to come from 11-12 down and beat Maureen Blunt, Phil Berry and Skip Neil Mean by 23 shots to 12.

Website Report for week ending 9th May 2021.

Datchworth Green 35 Welwyn Woods 24
We played our first Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League Div. 1 match of the season on Friday night, when Welwyn Woods were the visitors to our Turkey Farm green to take on our Green team. It was the Green team who came out on top after winning by 35 shots to 24. Graham Akers, Rob Hazeu and Skip Derek Henley won half as many ends as they lost, and as a result they lost by 10 shots to 20. The Green team fared better with Robin Gray, Mike Mahoney and Skip Les Parsley. They started badly, winning only one of the first four ends, to trail by 2 shots to 4, but recovered spectacularly by winning the remaining fourteen ends to win by 25 shots to 4.
G.Akers, R.Hazeu & D.Henley lost to G.Reynolds, I.Whitcombe & C.Read 10-20; R.Gray, M.Mahoney & L.Parsley beat S.Tye, D.Blakes & L.Tye 25-4.

Datchworth v Shephalbury
This match on Saturday was cancelled by Shephalbury in time for us to organize another “In house” game. Unfortunately, the weather forecast for Saturday was so bad that this too had to be cancelled.

Datchworth 58 Howard Garden 36
On Sunday afternoon it was the second “First” of the season for us as we travelled to Letchworth to play Howard Garden in our first Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League match of the season. Because of the covid restrictions at the start of the season these matches have been reduced to 3 Mixed Triples, instead of the usual 4 Mixed Triples. We came away with maximum points after a 58 shot to 36 win. Barbara Williams, Neil Mean and Skip Derek Henley won the first four ends, to lead 10-0. It was a lead they held on to till the end. But the difference was reduced to 8 shots, as they won by 19 shots to 11. Picking up 18 shots between the seventh and thirteenth end, while only dropping just 4 shots was a contributing factor in Rachel Jones, Richard Harper and Skip Steve Chamberlain winning by 25 shots to 14. It was more difficult for Linda Tyler, Ian Williams and Skip Jim Smith as they lost the first three ends, to trail 0-6. They were still 5-9 adrift after ten ends. They then went on to win all but one of the remaining eight ends for a come from behind 14 shots to 11 win.
B.Williams, N.Mean & D.Henley beat B.Barker, S.Jordan & B.Lindsay 19-11; R.Jones, R.Harper & S.Chamberlain beat J.Roberson, T.O’Shaughnessy & C.Gee 25-14; L.Tyler, I.Williams & J.Smith beat B.Woods, D.Pettengel & R.Bloomfield 14-11.

Website Report for week ending 16th May 2021.

It was a busy week of bowling for our members this week, with leagues matches for all four of our teams and a mid-week Friendly thrown in for good measure.
It was a double first on Monday night as our Gold team took on Shire Park in their first East Herts Bowls League Div. 2 match, at our Turkey Farm green, and our Green Team took on W.G.C. Crusaders in the First Round of Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League’s John Brown Trophy, with one Triple at home and one away.

Datchworth Gold 31 Shire Park 32
It was a tight match for our Gold Team as they were edged out by one shot, 31-32. Dickie Jackson, John Oliver and Skip Richard Harper went 0-4 down after three ends and despite chasing their opposition all the way, and sharing the ends equally, they never caught them up, eventually losing by 12 shots to 14. Julian Hales, Ian Williams and Skip Steve Chamberlain also lost the first three, as they went 0-6 down. They then won all but two of the next ten ends to lead 17-11. They won only one more end, but held on to win by one shot, 19-18.
D.Jackson, J.Oliver & R.Harper lost to R.Branson, B.Draycott & J.Hastings 12-14; J.Hales, I.Williams & S.Chamberlain beat R.Van Gotham, M.Reeves & G.Edwards 19-18.

Datchworth Green 38 W.G.C. Crusaders 27
In the John Brown Trophy, our Green team overcome W.G.C. Crusaders by 38 shots to 27. In the home leg Graham Akers, Neil Mean and Skip Derek Henley went 2-6 down after six ends, then went on to win the next six ends to lead 12-6. But four ends later they were 12-14 down. They picked up two shots on the penultimate end, to draw level, before picking up one shot on the final end, to edge their leg 15-14. In the away leg Rob Hazeu, Mike Mahoney and Skip Les Parsley were trailing 6-11 after ten ends before they pulled themselves together to win all but two of the remaining eight ends to come from behind and win by 23 shots to 13.
G.Akers, N.Mean & D.Henley beat S.Knight, C.Parkhouse & R.Avery 15-14; R.Hazeu, M.Mahoney & L.Parsley beat J.Warman, G.Watson & C.Avery 23-13.

Datchworth v Aston
This Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League match was postponed as Aston had players involved in external competitions.

Datchworth 37 Stevenage Veterans 54
On Wednesday afternoon Stevenage Veterans were the visitors to our Turkey Farm for a mid-week Friendly match, and they returned home following a 54 shot to 37 win. Maureen Blunt, Ian Tyler and Skip Richard Harper won all but one of the first eight ends, to take an 9-2 lead. But they then only won two more ends as they lost 13-18. Barbara Williams, Phil Holzbauer and Skip Ian Williams only won six ends as they crashed to a 7-20 shot defeat. It was a tight game for Linda Tyler, John Oliver and Skip Julian Hales as they shared the ends equally and came from 8-15 down, with four ends to play, to win by one shot, 17-16.
M.Blunt, I.Tyler & R.Harper lost to P.Smith, J.Holmes & S.Wilson 13-18; B.Williams, P.Holzbauer & I.Williams lost to R.McRae, D.Brundritt & T.Smith 7-20; L.Tyler, J.Oliver & J.Hales beat R.Fletcher, M.Jones & B.Fletcher 17-19.

Datchworth Blue 40 Sele Farm 33
On Wednesday night our Blue team travelled to Hertford to play Sele Farm on their Hartham green for their first East Herts Bowls League Div. 1 match of the season and came away with a 40 shot to 33 win. Graham Akers, Derek Henley and Skip Les Parsley only won two more ends than they lost, but by picking up threes and fours, while dropping only ones and twos, they won by 23 shots to 14. Robin Gray, Mike Mahoney and Skip Peter Hills did well to come from 0-9 down after four ends, to lead 16-13 with two ends to play. But they dropped three shots on both of those ends to lose 17-19.
G.Akers, D.Henley & L.Parsley beat M.Jones, P.Ottley & J.Parsley 23-14; R.Gray, M.Mahoney & P.Hills lost to P.Dougherty, J.Lake & H.Wright 17-19.

On a somewhat damp and miserable Thursday night both of our Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League teams were in action; our Div. 1 Green team were away to Welwyn and District’s Wanderers, team, and our Div. 2 Yellow team were at home to Hertford Castle’s Jesters’ team.

Datchworth Green 35 Welwyn Wanderers 34
At Welwyn and District’s Ottway Walk green our Green team edged their match by one shot, 35-34. Rachel Jones, Neil Mean and Skip Graham Akers trailed from the off and found themselves 10-20 down with three ends to play. They won all of those and managed to cut their losing deficit down to two shots, 18-20. Chris Hills, Andrew Phillips and Skip Rob Hazeu picked up six shots on the seventh end to lead 11-4. They held that lead till they dropped two shots four ends from the end, to trail 13-14. They too won all of their three remaining ends to win by three shots 17-14 and take the match by one shot overall.
R.Jones, N.Mean & G.Akers lost to C.Moore, D.Ellis & L.Page 18-20; C.Hills, A.Phillips & R.Hazeu beat C.Russell, B.Bennett & S.Grimmant 17-14.

Datchworth Yellow 38 Jesters 20
At our Turkey Farm green, our Yellow team beat the Jesters by 38 shots to 20. Barbara Williams, John Oliver and Skip Richard Harper only won three more ends than they lost but they picked up twice as many shots than they dropped, in their 17-8 win. Dickie Jackson, Julian Hales and Skip Ian Williams also won three more ends than they lost, but did not quite pick up twice as many shots than they dropped, in their 21-12 win.
D.Jackson, J.Hales & I.Williams beat V.Jones, E.Saint & A.Gibbs 21-12; B.Williams, J.Oliver & R.Harper beat K.Donahue, Y.McCulloch & P.Scholey 17-8.

There was no match scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

Datchworth v Willian
This match on Sunday was cancelled by Willian in time for us to organize another “In house” game. Unfortunately, like the last “In house” game, the weather forecast for Sunday was so bad that this too had to be cancelled. And, unfortunately, just like the last “In house” game, the bad forecast weather did not materialize, and we could have played it.

Website Report for week ending 23rd May 2021.

Datchworth Green 23 Knebworth Yellow 38
It was not a good night for our Green team on Monday night as they lost their Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League Div. 1 match at home to our near neighbours Knebworth Yellow by 23 shots to 38. Both Triples only won six of the eighteen ends played. Rachel Jones, Robin Gray and Skip Mike Mahoney managed to cut their losing deficit to 12-17; while Chris Hills, Andrew Phillips and Skip Derek Henley went down by 11-21.
R.Jones, R.Gray & M.Mahoney lost to M.Sprigge, D.Percival & J.Matthews 12-17; C.Hills, A.Phillips & D.Henley lost to P.Veale, D.Berry & G.Stevens 11-21.

Datchworth 25 Luton West End 34
Rain caused a good game of bowls to be cut short on Wednesday afternoon as the Friendly match between us and Luton West End was called off halfway through at Luton Hoo Memorial Park. Linda Tyler, John Oliver and Skip Derek Henley were tied at 7 all. Another Triple that was tied, at 10 all, were Maureen Blunt, Dickie Jackson and Skip Richard Harper. Richard Hutchinson, Rachel Jones and Skip Steve Arnold were 3-11 adrift. While Annette Hutchinson, Ian Tyler and Skip Julian Hales were 5-6 adrift.
L.Tyler, J.Oliver & D.Henley drew with I.Kieghtley, P.Maina & R.Dodd 7 all; M.Blunt, D.Jackson & R.Harper drew with G.Davies, J.Insole & L.Berry 10 all; R.Hutchinson, R.Jones & S.Arnold lost to I.Ainsworth, B.Fisher & R.Spendley 3-11; A.Hutchinson, I.Tyler & J.Hales lost to J.Spendley, J.Trapp & A.Elliott 5-6.

Datchworth Green 34 Parkside Woods 33
On Thursday night it was Cup action for our Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League Green team as they took on Parkside Woods in the League’s Jubilee Cup, with one Rink at home and one away. At our own green Rachel Jones, George Campbell, Neil Mean and Skip Rob Hazeu were level for the third time, at 12 apiece, with four ends to play. They won all but one of those ends to win by 18 shots to 15. At Parkside’s W.G.C’s KGV greens Chris Hills, Robin Gray, Andrew Phillips and Skip Derek Henley struggled on a difficult rink and trailed 11-17 with three ends to play. They won the first two, to trail 16-17, then dropped a shot on the final to lose 16-18. But it was enough to edge the match by one shot, 34-33.
R.Jones, G.Campbell, N.Mean & R.Hazeu beat L.Clarke, J.Croshaw, T.Williamson & B.Clarke 18-15; C.Hills, R.Gray, A.Phillips & D.Henley lost to I.Hunter, S.England, G.Robertson & J.Johnson 16-18.

Datchworth 51 Royston 89
On Saturday afternoon Royston were the visitors to our Turkey Farm green and returned home following a comfortable 89-51 win. Phil Holzbauer, Maurice Gordon and Skip Richard Harper only managed three winning ends as they were crushed by 3 shots to 38. Jenny Holzbauer, Ken Ryder and Skip Steve Chamberlain led from the off in their 23 shots to 9 win. Pauline Whybrow, Burt Edwards and Skip John Oliver only lost two more ends than they won, but lost more than twice as many shots than they won, in their 11-24 loss. Jim Whittle, Ann Edwards and Skip Ian Williams also lost two more ends than they won, but their losing deficit was only 14-18.
P.Holzbauer, M.Gordon & R.Harper lost to D.Gibson, S.Pawson & C.Moore 3-38; J.Holzbauer, K.Ryder & S.Chamberlain beat S.Warner, G.Lewis & M.Skinner 23-9; P.Whybrow, B.Edwards & J.Oliver lost to A.Lewis, B.Porter & S.Whitehouse 11-24; J.Whittle, A.Edwards & I.Williams lost to S.Earls, S.Gibson & A.Warner 14-18.

Datchworth 28 Letchworth Garden City 71
A second heavy defeat for us followed on Sunday afternoon when Letchworth Garden City were the visitors to the Turkey Farm, for a Stevenage and District Mixed Bowl League match, and won by 71 shots to 28. Barbara Williams, Derek Henley and Skip Jim Smith only won one of the first seven ends, and trailed 4-10 as a result. Dropping seven shots on the thirteenth end did not help their cause at all. They did manage to win three on the closing five ends as they went down 11-24. Dickie Jackson, Chris Hills and Skip Steve Arnold did not fare much better as they only won four ends in their 8-21 loss. Maureen Blunt, Neil Mean and Skip Peter Hills won one more end, five in total, as they also lost, 9-26.
B.Williams, D.Henley & J.Smith lost to B.Hart, C.Ottaway & I.Snowdon 11-24; D.Jackson, C.Hills & S.Arnold lost to C.Ottaway, B.Rogan & H.Castle 8-21; M.Blunt, N.Mean & P.Hills lost to J.Rogan, T.Sinclair & A.Hodgson 9-26.

Website Report for week ending 30th May 2021.

There were two matches for our teams on Monday night; our East Herts Bowls League Div. 1 Blue team were at home to B.S.P. while our Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League Div. 2 Yellow team were away to Hertford Castle’s Harlequins team.

Datchworth Blue 43 B.S.P. 29
The forecast rain held off for most of our Blue team’s home match against B.S.P. which they won by 43 shots to 29. George Campbell, Neil Mean and Skip Peter Hills trailed from the off, but, with five ends to play they were only 13-14 adrift. They lost the first four of those ends, to trail 13-21, before they picked up three shots on the last end to cut their losing deficit to 16-21. On the other rink Rob Hazeu, Steve Arnold and Skip Derek Henley won the first three ends, to lead 7-0, and never looked back. They lost only six ends as they ran out winners by 27 shots to 8.
G.Campbell, N.Mean & P.Hills lost to P.Matthews, B.Clark & D.Miller 16-21; R.Hazeu, S.Arnold & D.Henley beat K.Hennessey, B.Reeves & G.Smith 27-8.

Datchworth Yellow 25 Harlequins 48
At Hertford Castle’s Peg’s Lane green things did not go so well for our Yellow team as they lost 25-48. Jenny Holzbauer, Barbara Williams and Skip Steve Chamberlain won the first three ends, to lead 6-0. They lost the fifth end and a change of jack length was their downfall, as they only won two more ends and crashed to a 9 shot to 30 loss. Phil Holzbauer, Dickie Jackson and Skip Richard Harper had a much closer game and were 11-5 ahead with eight ends to play. But with two ends to play their lead was cut to just one shot, 13-12. Then disaster struck as they dropped a six on the penultimate end. They recovered somewhat by picking up three shots on the final end to lose by 16-18.
J.Holzbauer, B.Williams & S.Chamberlain lost to P.Beeson, C.Philip & R.Adams 9-30; P.Holzbauer, D.Jackson & R.Harper lost to J.Adams, A.Beeson & A.Branford 16-18.

Datchworth 61 Co-Op Luton 68
On Tuesday afternoon Co-Op Luton were the visitors to the Turkey Farm for a Friendly match and went back home following a 68 shot to 61 win. Nicki Berry, Maurice Gordon and Skip Richard Harper were cruising somewhat at 19-9 ahead with three ends to play. They then dropped a three followed by a six to go into the final end just 19-18 ahead. They won that final end to win by 20 shots to 18. Chris Hills, Phil Berry and Skip Steve Chamberlain took the lead on the third end and held it until they dropped a four on the fourteenth end. Despite winning all but one of the remaining four ends they still lost 16-18. John Ellis, Jim Russell and Skip Steve Arnold only managed five winning ends in their 8-22 loss. Sue Ellis, Peter Hills and Skip John Oliver were level at 7 apiece after ten ends. They then won all but two of the closing eight ends to win by 17 shots to 10.
N.Berry, M.Gordon & R.Harper beat A.Clifford, B.Morris & T.Brooks 20-18; C.Hills, P.Berry & S.Chamberlain lost to T.Phillips, R.Lynch & A.Hattey 16-18; J.Ellis, J.Russell & S.Arnold lost to R.Hough, M.Webb & M.Brooks 8-22; S.Ellis, P.Hills & J.Oliver beat K.Brooks, G.Swan & J.Croft 17-10.

Datchworth 47 Aston 44
We travelled the short distance to Aston on Wednesday night for a Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League match. It did not look good for us after thirteen ends, with the overall score 36-28 in Aston’s favour. Annette Hutchinson, Burt Edwards and Skip Steve Arnold were 11-12 down at that point. They then went on to win all but one of the closing five ends, to win by 19 shots to 13. Barbara Williams, John Oliver and Skip Derek Henley were 4-18 down. They too came back to win all but one of their closing five ends, to cut their losing deficit to 9-20. Ann Edwards, Richard Harper and Skip Neil Mean were 13-6 ahead. They then won all but two of their closing five ends to win by 19 shots to 11. Which all amount to a 47 shot to 44 win for us.
A.Hutchinson, B.Edwards & S.Arnold beat E.O’Hanlon, K.O’Hanlon & M.Allington 19-13; B.Williams, J.Oliver & D.Henley lost to S.Mahoney, M.Grindley & D.Noble 9-20; A.Edwards
R.Harper & N.Mean beat M.Gleghorn, L.Grindley & D.Smith 19-11.

On Thursday night there were two more matches for our teams, both Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League matches. It was the turn of our Div. 1 Green team to travel to the Peg’s Lane green, this time to play Hertford, while our Div. 2 Yellow team played their second match of the week against W.G.C. Crusaders at our own Turkey Farm green.

Datchworth Green 17 Hertford 39
Things did not go well for our Green team at Peg’s Lane as they lost 17-39. Although it started well for Robin Gray, Neil Mean and Skip Derek Henley, as they led 6-0 after three ends, it turned shortly after, as Robin Gray had to be replaced by Mike Mahoney, after problems with his knee. They only managed four more winning ends and lost 11-19. George Campbell, Rob Hazeu and Skip Les Parsley only won five ends as they too lost, 6-20.
R.Gray(M.Mahoney), N.Mean & D.Henley lost to C.Sage, M.Rowe & B.Worsley 11-19; G.Campbell, R.Hazeu & L.Parsley lost to P.Worsley, A.Costin & M.Toynton 6-20.

Datchworth Yellow 39 W.G.C. Crusaders 32
Our Yellow team came out on top with a 39 shot to 32 win. John Oliver, Dickie Jackson and Skip Richard Harper led 5-4 after five ends, then they won the next six ends, to extend their lead to 18-4. The closing seven ends were shared 4-3 in their favour as they ran out winners by 22 shots to 7. It was a different story for Burt Edwards, Jenny Holzbauer and Skip Steve Chamberlain as they dropped an eight and a six halfway through their game to trail 12-21. They won three of the closing seven end to reduce their losing margin to 17-25.
J.Oliver, D.Jackson & R.Harper beat C.Pratt, B.Hughes & G.Walton 22-7; B.Edwards, J.Holzbauer & S.Chamberlain lost to T.Hughes, R.West & S.Knight 17-25.

Datchworth 40 Potters Bar 78
On Saturday afternoon Potters Bar were the visitors to the Turkey Farm for a Friendly match and they returned home after a comfortable 78 shots to 40 win. Although Pauline Whybrow, Stuart Hay and Skip Richard Harper lost just two more ends than they won they dropped over twice as many shots than they won in their 9-22 defeat. It was the same story of ends lost and won for Sue Ellis, Ken Ryder and Skip Ian Green, but they only lost by 11 shots to 13. Following another repeat of ends lost and won Jim Whittle, Maureen Blunt and Skip Neil Mean went down by 14 shots to 20. John Ellis, Barbara Williams and Skip John Oliver only won five ends as they went down by 6 shots to 23.
P.Whybrow, S.Hay & R.Harper lost to C.Gregory, A.Harrison & D.Sparrow 9-22; S.Ellis, K.Ryder & I.Green lost to B.Kendall, A.Billington & C.Malone 11-13; J.Whittle, M.Blunt & N.Mean lost to J.Gower, B.Clarke & M.Eccleshall 14-20; J.Ellis, B.Williams & J.Oliver lost to D.Riley, P.Billington & R.Winn 6-23.

Datchworth 67 Harperbury 56
On Sunday afternoon we travelled to Harperbury for a Friendly match and came away with a 67 shot to 56 win. Dickie Jackson, Maurice Gordon and Skip Julian hales were 9-12 down with six ends to play. They won four of those ends to win by 16 shots to 14. Annette Hutchinson, Rob Hazeu and Skip Derek Henley trailed 6-13 after eleven ends. They then won all but one of the remaining seven ends to draw 16 apiece. Rachel Jones, Burt Edwards and Skip Steve Chamberlain won the first two ends, then lost the following six ends, to trail 2-10. They then went on a cycle of winning three ends then losing two to eventually lose by 14 shots to 16. Richard Hutchinson, Ann Edwards and Skip Steve Arnold led 17-4 after ten ends then lost the following five ends, to lead 17-10. They recovered to win the last three ends to win by 21 shots to 10.
D.Jackson, M.Gordon & J.Hales beat M.Long, R.Frewin & L.Roberts 16-14; A.Hutchinson, R.Hazeu & D.Henley drew with J.Eaton, D.Lewis & R.Ranstead 16 all; R.Jones, B.Edwards & S.Chamberlain lost to E.Williams, K.Reede & D.Gautier 14-16; R.Hutchinson, A.Edwards & S.Arnold beat D.Clements, R.Dickenson & K.Williams 21-10.

Website Report for week ending 6th June 2021.

The week on bowling did not get off to a good start for members of our Gold and Green teams, as they both lost on our own green. The Gold team lost 29-37 to Stevenage’s Blue team in their East Herts Bowls League Div. 2 match, while our Green team lost 28-30 to Sele Farm in their Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League Div. 1 match.

Datchworth Gold 29 Stevenage Blue 37
For the Gold team Burt Edwards, Phil Holzbauer and Skip John Oliver struggled after dropping four shots on the sixth end, to go 3-8 down. They only won four more ends after that and lost 9-20. Ian Green. Phil Berry and Skip Steve Chamberlain had a topsy-turvy game as they went from 5-1 up, after four ends, to 5-8 down after eight ends, then 16-9 up after fourteen ends, to 16 all after sixteen ends; before they ended up winning by 20-17.
B.Edwards, P.Holzbauer & J.Oliver lost to B.Fletcher, A.Shackell & W.Martin 9-20; I.Green, P.Berry & S.Chamberlain beat M.Gasson, G.Morris & P.Wilkinson 20-17.

Datchworth Green 28 Sele Farm 30
For the Green team Chris Hills, Rob Hazeu and Skip Mike Mahoney were just 10-11 down with five ends to play. The game went away from them after that as they only won one more end and lost 12-17. Rachel Jones, Neil Mean and Skip Derek Henley led from the off until they dropped a four on the fourteenth end, to trail 10-12. They then won the following three ends, to lead 16-12 and were holding enough shots to win the match overall until the Sele Farm Skip, Erica Lundy, came in with her penultimate wood to nick the shot. Derek Henley could not change the shot count with his last wood; Erica Lundy did not have to bowl her last wood which left their score 16-13 in the Green’s favour. But that meant Sele Farm edged the match by 30 shots to 28.
C.Hills, R.Hazeu & M.Mahoney lost to A.Tate, R.Pegg & D.Pratt 12-17; R.Jones, N.Mean & D.Henley beat J.A.Parsley, J.Martin & E.Lundy 16-13.

Datchworth Blue 22 Buntingford Bears 40
On Wednesday night our Blue team travelled to Buntingford to take on their Bears team in an East Herts Bowls League Div. 1 match and lost by 22 shots to 40. This was due mainly to the Buntingford Skips. More often than not when they were in danger of dropping shots they came in and saved the day. Hence Graham Akers, Steve Arnold and Skip Les Parsley went down 9-20 and Rob Hazeu, Derek Henley and Skip Peter Hills went down 13-20.
G.Akers, S.Arnold & L.Parsley lost to L.Purdy, B.Bushell & R.Murphy 9-20; R.Hazeu, D.Henley & P.Hills lost to M.Marks, M.Harley & D.Murphy 13-20.

Datchworth Yellow 33 Hertford 39
On Thursday night our Yellow team played Hertford in Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League’s Jubilee Cup and with one Rink at home and one away they lost by 33 shots to 39. At our Turkey Farm green Barbara Williams, John Oliver, Julian Hales and Skip Richard Harper were 3-9 down after four ends. Despite getting back to just 15-16 down after fifteen ends they dropped six shots over the following three ends and eventually lost by 17 shots to 23. At Hertford’s Peg’s Lane green, Ann Edwards, Burt Edwards, Ian Green and Skip Steve Chamberlain were level at 11 apiece after sixteen ends, then they led 16-12 going into the final end. But they dropped a four to draw16 all.
B.Williams, J.Oliver, J.Hales & R.Harper lost to C.Sage, T.Sage, P.Worsley & B.Worsley 17-23; A.Edwards, B.Edwards, I.Green & S.Chamberlain drew with J.Sapsed, A.Barrett, M.Toynton & R.Barrett 16 all.

Datchworth Men 0 points Berkhamsted Men 4 points
On Friday night our Men travelled to Berkhamsted to play their counterparts in the 2nd Round of the County’s Team Ten competition and were beaten in all four disciplines. In the Singles, Graham Akers, a late inclusion into the team, following the forced withdrawal of the original Single’s player, gave a good account of himself in his first time playing in this competition. He was all-square at 13 apiece after seventeen ends then lost the next three ends, including dropping a four on the twentieth end, to trail 13-20. He picked up three shots on the following end, making it 16-20, only to drop a shot on the next end, to lose by 16 shots to 21. In the Pairs, John Oliver and Skip Steve Arnold dropped six shots over the first two ends and were playing catch-up after that. They got to 11-12 after fourteen ends only to drop eight shots over the next three ends and that was their downfall. They eventually lost by 13 shots to 22. In the Triples Rob Hazeu, Steve Chamberlain and Skip Les Parsley did not get a look in for eight ends, due to some good bowling by their opposition, and some good luck on their behalf too, as a result they were 0-18 down. It was a losing battle from then on as they lost by 6 shots to 29. In the Fours Ian Bartlett, Richard Harper, Derek Henley and Skip Peter Hills were just 2-3 down after four ends, but lost the next seven ends to go 2-13 down. They shared the closing ten ends equally and los by 11 shots to 21.
G.Akers lost to T.Howard 16-21; J.Oliver & S.Arnold lost to D.Brown & K.Clarke 13-22; R.Hazeu, S.Chamberlain & L.Parsley lost S.Burrell, T.Smart & C.Gray 6-29; I.Bartlett, R.Harper, D.Henley & P.Hills lost to M.Young, P.Brew, R.Andrews & B.Ralphs 11-21.

Datchworth 57 Whitethorn 93
On Saturday afternoon we travelled to Letchworth to play Whitethorn in a Friendly and returned home after losing 57-93. Rachel Jones, Julian Hales and Skip Ken Ryder found themselves 7-20 down with six ends to go. They won all but two of those ends, including picking up two fives, on their way to reducing their losing deficit to 20-22. Linda Tyler, Burt Edwards and Skip Steve Arnold found themselves in a similar position, at 7-13 down, after twelve ends. They too won all but two of those ends, going into the final end 12-15 down. They ended up with four shots within 2ft of the Jack to edge the win by 16 shots to 15. Ann Edwards, John Oliver and Skip Richard Harper won the first end but lost the next seven, to trail 2-21. They never got back in the hunt and lost by 10 shots to 35. Despite sharing the ends equally Janet Akers, Ian Tyler and Skip Neil Mean lost 11-21, thanks mainly to dropping two fives along the way.
R.Jones, J.Hales & K.Ryder lost to S.Gowlett, V.Eames & G.Blackbourn 20-22; L.Tyler, B.Edwards & S.Arnold beat P.Clayton, C.Morley & D.Marr 16-15; A.Edwards, J.Oliver & R.Harper lost to M.Gowlett, G.Henniker & T.Fuller 10-35; J.Akers, I.Tyler & N.Mean lost to L.Morley, T.Graham & B.Platten 11-21.

Datchworth 67 Howard Garden 31
On Sunday afternoon Howard Garden were the visitors to the Turkey Farm for a Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League match and were beaten by 67 shots to 31. Janet Akers, Rob Hazeu and Skip Peter Hills only lost five ends as they ran out winners by 21 shots to 7. Barbara Williams, Neil Mean and Skip Steve Arnold won just two more ends than they lost but picked up over twice as many shots than they dropped, in their 27 shots to 13 win. It was a similar story for Chris Hills, Ian Williams and Skip Derek Henley. They won four more ends than they lost in their 19-11 win.
J.Akers, R.Hazeu & P.Hills beat J.Roberson, D.Weemys & T.O’Shaughnesy 21-7; B.Williams, N.Mean & S.Arnold beat T.Blake, S.Jordan & B.Lindsay 27-13; C.Hills, I.Williams & D.Henley beat K.Graham, R.Downey & G.Liddle 19-11.

Website Report for week ending 13th June 2021.

A very busy week of bowling for us, with eleven matches scheduled, started on Monday night with both of our Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League teams in action; our Div. 1 Green team were at W.G.C’s KGV greens playing Parkside Greens, while our Div. 2 Yellow team were at our own Turkey Farm green playing Bengeo.

Datchworth Green 27 Parkside Greens 36
Their Green team lost 27-36. Rachel Jones, George Campbell and Skip Jim Smith struggled to find the green and dropping a five on the fifth end, to go 3-9 down, did not help their cause. They never caught up; eventually losing by 11 shots to 20. Chris Hills, Neil Mean and Skip Graham Akers fired better. Despite being 2-10 down after five ends and then 8-16 down after twelve ends, they fought back, winning the remaining six ends to draw their game 16 apiece.
R.Jones, G.Campbell & J.Smith lost to N.Dickenson, A.Croshaw & D.Robertson 11-20; C.Hills, N.Mean & G.Akers drew with M.Lewis, C.Jones & E.Anderson 16 all.

Datchworth Yellow 43 Bengeo 32
Our Yellow team beat Bengeo, in their debut season in the League, after last year’s washout of a season, 43-32. Nicki Berry, Ian Green and Skip John Oliver were 7-5 ahead after seven ends, then they dropped eleven shots, while only picking up two, to trail 9-16, six ends later. They got back to 13-16 before losing the closing three ends to lose by 13 shots to 19. Barbara Williams, Phil Berry and Skip Steve Chamberlain picked up six shots on the fourth end, to lead 8-4 and then lost only five more ends, as they ran out winners by 30 shots to 13.
N.Berry, I.Green & J.Oliver lost to A.Cracknell, D.Robins & E.Mahone 13-19; B.Williams, P.Berry & S.Chamberlain beat B.Ward, D.Betty & B.Grinnett 30-13.

There were two more matches for our bowlers on Tuesday. A Friendly at home to near neighbours Shire Park in the afternoon, and an East Herts Bowls League Div. 1 match for our Blue team away to Ware Maltsters in the evening.

Datchworth 42 Shire Park 50
In the Friendly match Shire Park beat us by 50 shots to 42. Pauline Whybrow, Jim Russell and Skip Ken Ryder took the lead, 7-5, on the ninth end and by the sixteenth end they had stretched it to 16-9. But, by dropping six shots over the closing two ends their winning margin was cut to just one shot, 16-15. Sue and John Ellis and Skip Maurice Gordon lost the first five ends and trailed 0-9. They got back to 9-12 after twelve ends, but immediately dropped a six on the next end and never recovered, only winning one more end, to lose by 10 shots to 24. It was better for Jim Whittle, Ian Green and Skip Richard Harper. They lost the first four ends, then won the next five, to lead 12-4. Despite winning only three of the remaining nine ends they held on to win by 16 shots to 11.
P.Whybrow, J.Russell & K.Ryder beat L.Draycott, V.Warner & B.Draycott 16-15; S.Ellis, J.Ellis & M.Gordon lost to J.Bramson, P.Bendell & G.Edwards 10-24; J.Whittle, I.Green & R.Harper beat M.Blunt, B.Griffiths & B.Jakes 16-11.

Datchworth Blue 40 Ware Maltsters 23
At Ware our Blue team won by 40 shots to 23. Steve Arnold, Neil Mean and Skip Peter Hills won the first four ends, to lead 9-0. They were caught at 14 apiece on the twelfth end, after dropping four 3s along the way. But they picked up a 3 of their own on the thirteenth end and led from there until the end, winning by 20 shots to 17. Mike Mahoney, Derek Henley and Skip Les Parsley had an easier task as they only lost six ends in their 20 shots to 6 win.
S.Arnold, N.Mean & P.Hills beat S.Emmett, M.Gray & S.Stow 20-17; M.Mahoney, D.Henley & L.Parsley beat S.Hall, B.Hammond & M.Judd 20-6.

On Wednesday night the scheduled Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League John Brown Trophy match between our Yellow team and Hertford Castle’s Harlequins team was postponed until Thursday 17th June.

Both of our Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League teams were in action again on Thursday night, our Div. 1 Green team were at our Turkey Farm green playing W.G.C. Knights, while our Div. 2 Yellow team were at Tewin playing Shire Park.

Datchworth Green 47 W.G.C. Knights 29
At our Turkey Farm our Green team won by 47 shots to 29. Rachel Jones, Robin Gray and Skip Les Parsley only won the end-count 10-8 but, thanks to picking up a couple of 4s and 5s, while only dropping 1s and 2s, they won by 26 shots to 12. On the other rink Chris Hills, Mike Mahoney and Skip Derek Henley lost the end-count 8-10, but they led 13-2 after only four ends, thanks to picking up a six on the fourth end. It was a lead they held onto, but it was reduced to 21-17 at the end.
R.Jones, R.Gray & L.Parsley beat J.Gibbs, I.Lawrence & R.Edwards 26-12; C.Hills, M.Mahoney & D.Henley beat J.Gibbs, K.Lawrence & T.Seeby 21-17.

Datchworth Yellow 29 Shire Park 37
At Shire Park’s green our Yellow team lost by 29 shots to 37. Barbara and Ian Williams and Skip Steve Chamberlain were 12-6 up after twelve ends, but lost the next five ends, to trail 12-19. They won the last end and lost by 15 shots to 19. Ian Green, John Oliver and Skip Richard Harper were 9-3 up after seven ends, then lost the next four ends, to trail 9-13. Despite winning four of the closing seven ends, they lost by 14 shots to 18.
B.Williams, I.Williams & S.Chamberlain lost to I.Handley, R.Van Gotham & B.Sinfield 15-19; I.Green, J.Oliver & R.Harper lost to L.Draycott, T.Crane & B.Draycott 14-16.

There were another two matches for our bowlers on Friday; a Friendly at home in the afternoon and our Men played their first Men’s County League match away to Cheshunt.

Datchworth 54 Townsend 76
Townsend beat us by 76 shots to 54. Maureen Blunt, Barbara Williams and Skip Ian Tyler were up against it as they only managed four winning ends in their 8-27 defeat. Richard Hutchinson, Barbara Edwards and Skip Chris Hills did not fare much better, as they only won six ends, in their 10 shots to 26 defeat. Linda Tyler, Annette Hutchinson and Skip Neil Mean won the end-count 11-7 but they won their game by 22 shots to 11. Pauline Whybrow, Ann Edwards and Skip Ian Williams shared the ends equally but edged their game by 14 shots to 12.
M.Blunt, B.Williams & I.Tyler lost to B.Martindill, B.English & A.Charron 8-27; R.Hutchinson, B.Edwards & C.Hills lost to J.Marriot, T.Marriot & B.Lawrence 10-26; L.Tyler, A.Hutchinson & N.Mean beat R.Williamson, A.English & G.Williamson 22-11; P.Whybrow, A.Edwards & I.Williams beat A.Alcock, P.Waller & C.Martindill 14-12.

Datchworth’s Men 30 Cheshunt’s Men 35
At Cheshunt our Men lost by 30 shots to 35. Ian Green, John Oliver, Steve Chamberlain and Skip Les Parsley led 7-4 after eight ends then went 7-10 down two ends later. After picking up a six on the fourteenth end they took the lead 15-11. They held onto that lead to the end, winning by 18 shots to 16. Steve Arnold, Richard Harper, Derek Henley and Skip Peter Hills led 6-3 after eight ends, but dropped six shots over the next two ends, to trail 6-9, and could not get back in touch, eventually losing by 12 shots to 19.
I.Green, J.Oliver, S.Chamberlain & L.Parsley beat A.Spencer, J.Sanders, M.Johnson & R.Goodley 18-16; S.Arnold, R.Harper, D.Henley & P.Hills lost to R.Hills, G.Makinson, D.Baker & D.Crutchington 12-19.

On Saturday morning our green was one of four the County used for their Men’s 2 Wood Singles competition and after three Rounds of games Glen Williams, from Garston, beat Jack Bunting, from Hemel Hempstead, in the Final by 16 shots to 8.

Datchworth 98 Buntingford 68
In the afternoon we travelled to Buntingford for a Friendly match, and thanks to them loaning us players 5 Mixed Triples were played, which we won by 98 shots to 68. Jim Whittle, Grace Gibbs and Skip Steve Arnold dropped eight shots over five ends, to go from 6-4 up to 6-12 down. They then only won four of the closing seven ends to lose by 12 shots to 16. Maurice Gordon, Jim Russell and Skip Richard Harper went from 5-0 after four ends to 5-14 down after eleven ends. They then won all but two of the closing seven ends, to win by 21 shots to 18. Maureen Blunt, Brian Bushall and Skip Ian Williams lost only five ends in their 26 shots to 10 win. Barbara Williams, John Collins and Skip Steve Chamberlain were 2-6 down after five ends and then 6-10 down after nine ends. They then only lost another three ends to complete a come from behind 19-14 win. Neil Mean, Richard Penton and Skip John Oliver won eight ends on the trot to lead 14-2 after eleven ends. They then won only three more ends but eon by 20 shots to 10.
J.Whittle, G.Gibbs & S.Arnold lost to G.May, D.Marks & M.Hatley 12-16; M.Gordon, J.Russell & R.Harper beat J.Watkins, J.Higgs & T.Jennings 21-18; M.Blunt, B.Bushall & I.Williams beat P.Besser, J.Wilson & D.Bantick 26-10; B.Williams, J.Collins & S.Chamberlain beat C.Hatley, A.Wilson & L.Purdy 19-14; N.Mean, R.Penton & J.Oliver beat P.Jackson, R.Antick & M.Marks 20-10.

On Sunday afternoon it was our turn to run our own 2 Wood Singles competition. After two Rounds of games Derek Henley and Steve Arnold won through to the Final, to be played on our Final’s weekend at the end of August.

Website Report for week ending 20th June 2021.

This week was not as busy as last week for us, with only nine matches scheduled.

Datchworth Ladies 12 Whit Hern Ladies 8
On Monday night our Ladies travelled to Whit Hern to play their counterparts in their first match of this season’s Ladies County League. After discussions around playing the game according to Commonwealth Games Rules, both teams mistakenly agreed to play to those rules, but the League is not run under the CG rules. They took a 6-0 lead after three ends and held onto that lead to win by 12 shots to 8.
B.Williams, L.Tyler, A.Edwards & C.Hills beat C.Pryke, I.Lack, J.Tupper & C.Carne 12-8.

Datchworth 50 Hitchin Town 61
On Tuesday afternoon we travelled to Hitchin for a Friendly match and lost 50-61. Our only winning Triple was that of Chris Hills, John Oliver and Skip Steve Arnold. They were 10-6 up at half-time, then won every end after it, to win by 24 shots to 6. Janet Akers, Ian Tyler and Skip Ken Ryder lost 10-19. Linda Tyler, Burt Edwards and Skip Richard Harper lost 8-19 and Graham Akers, Ann Edwards and Skip Neil Mean lost 8-17.
C.Hills, J.Oliver & S.Arnold beat L.Morris, R.Cole & G.Munge 24-6; J.Akers, I.Tyler & K.Ryder lost to B.Richards, J.Morris & D.Hare 10-19; L.Tyler, B.Edwards & R.Harper lost to M.Balaam, B.Cook & K.Gray 8-19; G.Akers, A.Edwards & N.Mean lost to C.Balaam, K.Loosemore & M.Wells 8-17.

Datchworth Gold v W.G.C. Tigers
On Wednesday night our Gold team were due to play W.G.C. Tigers at our Turkey Farm green, but the visitors turned up one player short and had to concede the match to our Gold team. But they did not just “shake hands” and go home, they stayed and played a friendly between themselves.

On Thursday night both of our Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League teams were in action. Our Div. 1 Green travelled to W.G.C’s KGV greens to play B.S.P. in a League match, and our Div. 2 Yellow team played Hertford Castle’s Harlequins in the League’s John Brown Trophy.

Datchworth Green 17 B.S.P. 55
At W.G.C’s KGV greens things did not go at all well for the Green team, as they lost heavily by 17 shots to 55. George Campbell, Neil Mean and Skip Graham Akers only won four ends as they crashed to an 8-24 defeat. Chris Hills, Rob Hazeu and Skip Les Parsley did not fare any better as they only won three ends, and crashed to a 9-31 defeat.
G.Campbell, N.Mean & G.Akers lost to K.Hennessey, B.Reeves & G.Smith 8-24; C.Hills, R.Hazeu & L.Parsley lost to M.Nottage, P.Matthews & D.Miller 9-31.

Datchworth Yellow 33 Harlequins 37
The John Brown Trophy is played with one Triple at home and one away and the Yellow team lost by 33 shots to 37. At our Turkey Farm green Ann and Burt Edwards and Skip Steve Chamberlain went 2-14 down after just five ends and then 9-20 down after fourteen ends. But they won the closing four ends to cut their losing deficit to 18-20. At Harlequins’ Peg’s Lane green Barbara Williams, Ian Green and Skip John Oliver had a much closer game as they shared the ends equally and went into the last end 15-14 up, but they dropped three shots, to lose 15-17.
A.Edwards, B.Edwards & S.Chamberlain lost to G.Butt, C.Phillips & A.Beeson 18-20; B.Williams, I.Green & J.Oliver lost to W.Butt, J.Arber & A.Brandford 15-17.

Datchworth v Sawbridgeworth
On Friday night our Men were due to play Sawbridgeworth’s Men in Bowls England’s Men’s Club 2 Fours competition on our green. As our green was under water, after it had rained all day, they offered to switch the match to their green, as they said it was playable. But we declined the offer because roads in our local area were flooded following the constant rain, so they claimed the game.

Datchworth v Welwyn and District
On Saturday afternoon we were due to play Welwyn and District in a Friendly at home. But our Fixture Secretary, who is also our Club Captain and writer of these reports, forgot that this match was cancelled before the season started, due to Welwyn and District’s other commitments. Our full team of twelve players turned up. We did not “shake hands”, insult our Fixture Secretary, Captain and writer of these reports, not out loud anyway, and go home; we played an “Us” and “Them” Friendly. Then “shook hands” insulted our Fixture Secretary, Captain and writer of these reports, and went home.

Datchworth Men 0 points Buntingford Men 5 points
On Sunday morning our Men were at home to their counterparts from Buntingford in another Bowls England competition. This time it was in their Top Club competition and our Men were beaten in all five disciplines. This competition is played under Commonwealth Games Rules. Which means the Pairs is played with 3 bowls each over 18 ends, the Triples with 2 bowls each over 18 ends, and the Fours with 2 bowls each over 15 ends. Both Singles disciplines are unaffected by the CG Rules. In the 2 Wood Singles Les Parsley won the first end then lost the next six, to trail 2-9. He never got back in the hunt against Ross Murphy, eventually losing 8-17. It was a much closer affair for Mike Mahoney in the 4 Wood Singles, up against Mark Plume. It was 5 apiece after seven ends, then he lost five of the next seven ends, to trail 8-13. He won the next four ends, to lead 14-13, but lost the next four ends to lose by 14-21. In the Pairs John Oliver and Skip Steve Arnold were level for the third time at 13 apiece after twelve ends. They led 18-17 going into the final end and were holding shot until Buntingford’s Skip, Gary Warrender, hit the Jack through the head with his penultimate wood to hold three shots. Steve Arnold did not cut the shot count down with his last wood, Gary Warrender did not bowl his last wood, so they dropped three shots and lost the game by 18 shots to 20. In the Triples Graham Akers, Neil Mean and Skip Derek Henley were 5 apiece after four ends, then proceeded to lose all the remaining ends to lose by 5 shots to 29. In the Fours, Ian Green, Ian Williams, Steve Chamberlain and Skip Jim Smith also had a tight game. They led 3-2 after three ends. Then trailed 3-11after seven ends. They fought back to all square at 12 apiece after twelve ends, and were 14-15 down with one end to play. They lost that end to lose by 14 shots to 16.
L.Parsley lost to R.Murphy 8-17; M.Mahoney lost to M.Plume 14-21; J.Oliver & S.Arnold lost to P.Warren & G.Warrender 18-20; G.Akers, N.Mean & D.Henley lost to D.Murphy, S.Wake & C.Frostick 5-29; I.Green, I.Williams, S.Chamberlain & J.Smith lost to B.Davies, D.Grose, V.Greenberg & T.Keeling 14-16.

Datchworth 54 Three Horseshoes 45
On Sunday afternoon we travelled to play Three Horseshoes in a Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League match, with three of our Men who played in the morning playing again, and we won by 54 shots to 45. Chris Hills, Burt Edwards and Skip Steve Arnold were level at 3 apiece after four ends, then they won the next four ends, to lead 10-3. It was a lead they held on to till the end, winning by 19 shots to 13. Maureen Blunt, Barbara Williams and Skip Richard Harper won only three of the first twelve ends, as a result they trailed by 4 shots to 18. They cut that deficit to 12-18 four winning ends later. But they lost the closing two ends to lose by 12 shots to 22. Rachel Jones, Ian Williams and Skip Neil Mean won twice as many ends than they lost in their 23 shots to 10 win.
C.Hills, B.Edwards & S.Arnold beat M.Cooper, A.Lane & D.Wilkinson 19-13; M.Blunt, B.Williams & R.Harper lost to C.Hall, S.Hill & K.Wilkinson 12-22; R.Jones, I.Williams & N.Mean beat A.Lane, M.Dunne & B.Maynard 23-10.

Website Report for week ending 27th June 2021.

There were two matches for our bowlers on a wet Monday night. Our East Herts Bowls League Div. 1 Blue team were at home to W.G.C. Lions, while our Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League Div. 2 Yellow team were at W.G.C’s KGV greens playing Parkside Woods.

Datchworth Blue 24 W.G.C. Lions 33
At our Turkey Farm green the Blue team lost by 24 shots to 33. Robin Gray, Steve Arnold and Skip Peter Hills had a close game, with never more than two shots separating the sides for twelve ends; when they were 7-9 down. They then won the next four ends to lead 14-9. They lost the final two ends, dropping a three on the final end. But they managed to hold onto their lead to win by one shot, 14-13. Andrew Phillips, Mike Mahoney and Skip Les Parsley had a tougher time of it. They lost the first four ends, to trail 0-8, and never got back in the hunt, losing by 10 shots to 20.
R.Gray, S.Arnold & P.Hills beat T.Hughes, T.Seeby & J.Avery 14-13; A.Phillips, M.Mahoney & L.Parsley lost to G.Frost, D.Avenell & C.Avery 10-20.

Datchworth Yellow 27 Parkside Woods 13
All that can be reported about this match, because our scorecards for it have gone AWOL, is that for the first time this season one of our teams has managed to come away from the KGV greens at W.G.C. with a win. The Triple Skipped by Ian Williams won by 15 shots to 6 and that Skipped by Richard Harper won by 12 shots to 7.

Datchworth Gold 25 Stevenage Red 46
On Tuesday night our Gold team travelled to Stevenage’s KGV greens to play Stevenage Red in an East Herts Bowls League Div. 2 match and were beaten by 25 shots to 46. Ian Bartlett, John Oliver and Skip Steve Chamberlain only won five ends as they were crushed by 5 shots to 33. Ian Green, Ian Williams and Skip Richard Harper fared a lot better. They won the first four end, to lead 8-0, and held onto that lead till the end, winning by 20 shots to 13.
I.Bartlett, J.Oliver & S.Chamberlain lost to E.Marr, L.O’Brian & S.Wilson 5-33; I.Green, I.Williams & R.Harper beat D.Penfound, J.Robinson & S.Howson 20-13.

Datchworth v Standon and Puckeridge
We had to cancel this away Friendly match on Wednesday night as we could raise a team.

Datchworth Blue 23 Bishop’s Stortford Ospreys 51
On Thursday night our Blue team were at home for the second time in the week, this time they were up against Bishop’s Stortford Ospreys, and for the second time they lost, 23 -51. Graham Akers, Neil Mean and Skip Derek Henley won the first end then lost the next six, to trail 2-16. They recovered to 11-19 seven ends later, but eventually lost by 12 shots to 23. Robin Gray, Rob Hazeu and Skip Peter Hills led 11-6 after eleven ends. But the wheels fell off their wagon after that as they did not win another end and crashed to an 11 shot to 28 defeat.
G.Akers, N.Mean & D.Henley lost to T.McKenzie, G.Taylor & R.Helm 12-23; R.Gray, R.Hazeu & P.Hills lost to A.Yarborough, R.Edwards & D.MacKenzie 11-28.

Datchworth 38 Rosehill 33
On Thursday night there was more East Herts Bowls League action for our Men as they took on Rosehill in the League’s Ranson Cup. With one Rink at home and one away, they won by 38 shots to 33. At their own Turkey Farm green Mike Mahoney, Steve Chamberlain, Steve Arnold and Skip Peter Hills were 4-6 down after seven ends, they then won the next four ends, to lead 13-6. They held onto that lead and won by 23 shots to 16. At Rosehill’s green George Campbell, Richard Harper, Rob Hazeu and Skip Derek Henley were 3-6 down after nine ends, then they lost the next six ends to go 6-17 down. They pulled themselves together and won the closing six ends and cut their losing deficit down to 15-17.
M.Mahoney, S.Chamberlain, S.Arnold & P.Hills beat D.Kenton, G.Bassett, D.Garrard & N.Elmes 23-16; G.Campbell, R.Harper, R.Hazeu & D.Henley lost to R.Morris, S.Ayton, J.Eadon & P.Shemilt 15-17.

Datchworth 64 Baldock 60
There was more Cup action for our Men on Friday night when they took on Baldock in Letchworth and District Bowling Association’s Cairns Cup. With two Triples at home and two away they won by 64 shots to 60. At our Turkey Farm green things got off to a bad start for John Oliver, Richard Harper and Skip Steve Arnold as they dropped 10 shots over the first four ends. They then picked up six shots over the following three ends, cutting their deficit down to 6-10. They were still trailing before they picked up five shots on the thirteenth end, to draw level at 13 apiece. It was 14 apiece two ends later before they lost the final three ends to lose by 14 shots to 17. Mike Mahoney, Neil Mean and Skip Peter Hills picked up six shots over four ends, to lead 8-2 after seven ends. They held onto their lead to win by 20 shots to 10. At Baldock Ian Green, Rob Hazeu and Skip Jim Smith led 8-1 after five ends. They lost three ends in a row to trail 11-13 after thirteen ends. They then led 15-13 two ends later, before losing the final three ends to lose by 15 shots to 19. Graham Akers, Steve Chamberlain and Skip Derek Henley led 9-1 after seven but were pegged back to 10 all after thirteen ends. They lost the next three ends, to trail10-14, before winning the final two ends to edge the game 15-14.
J.Oliver, R.Harper & S.Arnold lost to D.Davies, K.Lamacraft & C.Hickin 14-17; M.Mahoney, N.Mean & P.Hills beat S.Deane, A.Heath & M.Ingram 20-10; I.Green, R.Hazeu & J.Smith lost to P.Page, P.Riley & J.Claydon 15-19; G.Akers, S.Chamberlain & D.Henley beat D.Turner, S.Andrews & M.Hayzelden 15-14.

Open Fours
On Saturday afternoon it was the Club’s Open Fours competition on our green. The Fours of Rachel Jones, Rob Hazeu, Steve Chamberlain and Skip Steve Arnold along with that of Chris Hills, Stuart Hay, Ian Green and Skip Peter Hills won through to the Final on our Final’s Weekend at the end of August.

Datchworth 35 Letchworth Garden City 52
On Sunday afternoon we travelled to Letchworth to take on Letchworth Garden City in a Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League match and lost by 35 shots to 52, after losing all three Triples played. John Oliver, Ken Ryder and Skip Derek Henly were 3-10 down after six ends. They got back to all square at 10 apiece after ten ends. Only to lose all but one of the remaining eight ends to lose by 11 shots to 19. Chris Hills, Neil Mean and Skip Steve Arnold had a close game for sixteen ends, when they were only 10-11 down. They dropped a five on the next end, and despite winning the final end they lost by 11 shots to 16. Rachel Jones, Richard Harper and Skip Peter Hills lost the first four ends, to trail 0-9, and never quite caught up, losing by 13 shots to 17.
J.Oliver, K.Ryder & D.Henley lost to C.Ottaway, B.Bargery & H.Castle 11-19; C.Hills, N.Mean & S.Arnold lost to S.Sinclair, T.Sinclair & P.Billson 11-16; R.Jones, R.Harper & P.Hills lost to D.Sims, C.Ottaway & A.Hodgson 13-17.

Website Report for week ending 4th July 2021.

There were two matches for our teams in the Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League on Monday night. Our Div. 1 Green team were away to Welwyn Woods, while our Div. 2 Yellow team were away to W.G.C. Crusaders.

Datchworth Green 48 Welwyn Woods 21
At Welwyn and District’s Ottway Walk green our Green team won by 48 shots to 21. Rob Hazeu, Neil Mean and Skip Derek Henley were 3-0 up after two ends, then they lost the next seven, to trail 3-11. They got as close as 14-15 with one end to play, but they lost that and the game 14-16. It was a completely different game for Robin Gray, Mike Mahoney and Skip Jim Smith as they only lost four ends as they ran out comfortable winners by 34 shots to 5.
R.Hazeu, N.Mean & D.Henley lost to C.Blakes, D.Blakes & C.Read 14-16; R.Gray, M.Mahoney & J.Smith beat L.Dawson, G.Reynolds & I.Whitcombe 34-5.

Datchworth Yellow 21 W.G.C. Crusaders 54
At W.G.C’s Digswell Park green their Crusaders’ team got some sort of revenge over our Yellow team after having to concede their previous match against them, a couple of weeks previously, when they turned up one player short at our green, as they won this return match by 54 shots to 21. Phil Holzbauer, Julian Hales and Skip Richard Harper only won six ends as they crashed to a 12 shot to 32 defeat. Despite only losing the end-count 8-10, Ian Green, Ken Ryder and Skip John Oliver lost by 9 shots to 22.
P.Holzbauer, J.Hales & R.Harper lost to A.Dickens, G.Gladwell & G.Walton 12-32; I.Green, K.Ryder & J.Oliver lost to K.Chamberlain, J.Norman & D.Neilson 9-22.

Datchworth Gold 22 Bishop’s Stortford Swifts 51
On Tuesday night Bishop’s Stortford Swifts were the visitors to our Turkey Farm green for an East Herts Bowls League Div. 2 match against our Gold team, and they returned home after a comprehensive 51 shot to 22 win. Burt Edwards, Phil Berry and Skip John Oliver only lost two more ends than they won, but they dropped nearly twice as many shots than they won, in their 12 shot to 23 defeat. Ian Green, Phil Holzbauer and Skip Julian Hales lost the first seven ends, to go 0-18 down. They recovered somewhat after that by winning six of the remaining eleven ends, but still lost by 10 shots to 28.
B.Edwards, P.Berry & J.Oliver lost to T.Smith, S.Foster & T.Moranda 12-23; I.Green, P.Holzbauer & J.Hales lost to K.Hudson, D.Croft & M.Foster 10-28.

On Wednesday night both of our Blue and Green teams should have played against teams from Welwyn and District. But as our Men in the Blue team are also in the Green team, the latter’s Div. 1 match, against Welwyn Wanderers, in the Welwyn and District Bowls League was postponed to a later date.

Datchworth Blue 19 Welwyn Stags 51
It was a bad day at the office for Datchworth’s Blue team as they crashed to a 19 shot to 51 defeat away to Welwyn Stags in an East Herts Bowls League Div. 1 match. Rob Hazeu, Mike Mahoney and Skip Derek Henley picked up five shots on the first end, but we overtaken, 5-7, on the fourth end. They remained behind till the end, losing by 11 shots to 21. It was worse for Andrew Phillips, Neil Mean and Skip Steve Arnold. They lost the first six end to trail 0-11 and never recovered. They lost all but two of the closing eight ends and crashed to an 8 shot to 30 defeat.
R.Hazeu, M.Mahoney & D.Henley lost to K.Phillips, P.Jones & B.Smith 11-21; A.Phillips, N.Mean & S.Arnold lost to K.Rylett, C.Valle & P.Russell 8-30.

Datchworth Gold 20 Castles 37
On Thursday night our Gold team played their second East Herts Bowls League Div. 2 match of the week away to Hertford Castles’ Castle team and lost by 20 shots to 37. Ian Green, Burt Edwards and Skip John Oliver only won four ends in their 5 shot to 22 loss. Phil Berry, Julian Hales and Skip Ian Williams led 12-7 after eleven ends, then with three ends to play their lead was 15-9. They lost those closing three ends, including dropping a four on the final end after the Castles’ Skip picked up the Jack and took it away from the Gold teams’ shots to his team’s woods, resulting in a 15 all draw.
I.Green, B.Edwards & J.Oliver lost to A.Beeson, J.Streeton & A.Brandford 5-22; P.Berry, J.Hales & I.Williams drew with C.Phillips, A.Gibbs & M.Howett 15 all.

Datchworth men 53 Rosehill Men 54
On Saturday morning our Men travelled to Hoddesdon to take on their counterparts of Rosehill, in the County’s Men’s Club Championship, and lost the match by the odd shot, 53 to 54. The result was effectively decided over the closing three ends. John Oliver, Ian Green, Steve Arnold and Skip Peter Hills were 16-15 ahead with three ends to play. They picked up three shots on the first of those ends, but lost the last two, including dropping three on the final end, to lose by 19 shots to 20. Mike Mahoney, Rob Hazeu, Derek Henley and Skip Les Parsley were 12-16 down with three ends to play. They lost the first of those then won the last two ends to lose 16-18. Which meant that Rosehill were three shots to the good overall. Graham Akers, Ian Williams, Steve Chamberlain and Skip Jim Smith were 14-6 down with three ends to play. They won the next two ends and on the last end they were holding two shots when the Rosehill Skip, Peter Shemilt, did not play his last wood as the overall score was 54-53 in their favour and the match won.
J.Oliver, I.Green, S.Arnold & P.Hills lost to T.Day, S.Ayton, N.Elmes & J.Albon 19-20; M.Mahoney, R.Hazeu, D.Henley & L.Parsley lost to S.Gransby, J.Eddon, K.Mizen & M.Songer 16-18; G.Akers, I.Williams, S.Chamberlain & J.Smith beat P.Tilley, D.Gerrard, R.Pateman & P.Shemilt 18-16.

Datchworth 62 Kimpton 43
On Saturday afternoon we travelled to play Kimpton in a Mixed Friendly and came away with a 62 shot to 43 win. Barbara and Ian Williams and Skip John Oliver were 6-3 ahead after seven ends, but three losing ends later they were 6-8 down. They remained behind till the end and despite picking up six shots on the final end they lost 16-17. Jenny Holzbauer, Burt Edwards and Skip Neil Mean built up a 10-4 lead after nine ends and gradually increased their lead to 19-9nat the end. Phil Holzbauer, Ann Edwards and Skip Ken Ryder lost the first four ends, to trail 0-8. They were 9-15 down after eleven ends before they picked up a seven and a five on the following two ends, to lead 21-15. They held on to that lead till the end, winning by 27 shots to 17.
B.Williams, I.Williams & J.Oliver lost to D.Truscott, S.Croft & P.Matthews 16-17; J.Holzbauer, B.Edwards & N.Mean beat J.Truscott, B.Skinner & R.Matthews 19-9; P.Holzbauer, A.Edwards & K.Ryder beat S.Truscott, W.Phillips & J.Croft 27-17.

Memorial Day
The scheduled Memorial Day on Sunday was postponed due to the rainy weather forecast. Unfortunately, that weather did not arrive. So, the opportunity to raise money for the charity of choice of one of our past members was missed. It is intended to run it later in the year when, hopefully, the weather will be more accommodating.

Website Report for week ending 11th July 2021.

On a damp and somewhat miserable Monday night two of our mid-week teams were in action. Our East Herts Bowls League Div. 1 Blue team were away to Rosehill Badgers, while our Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League Div. 2 Yellow team were at home to Parkside Woods.

Datchworth Blue 48 Rosehill Badgers 21
At Rosehill our Blue team ran out winners by 48 shots to 21. Mike Mahoney, Derek Henley and Skip Les Parsley dropped six single shots on their way to a comfortable 25 shot to 6 win. George Campbell, Steve Arnold and Skip Peter Hills led 16-2 after ten ends; including picking up seven shots on the third end when, with his last wood of the end, our Blue’s Skip, Peter Hills, picked up the Jack and put it in the ditch and turned three shots down to seven shots up. They then took their feet off of the gas as they only won two more ends before they too won, 23-15.
M.Mahoney, D.Henley & L.Parsley beat R.Pateman & K.Mizen 25-6; G.Campbell, S.Arnold & P.Hills beat D.Ayres, T.Day & M.Songer 23-15.

Datchworth Yellow 22 Parkside Woods 41
At our Turkey Farm green, our Yellow team lost 22-41 to Parkside Woods. Phil Holzbauer, Ann Edwards and Skip Ian Williams were 0-9 down after five ends and never recovered, losing by 7 shots to 20. Barbara Williams, Burt Edwards and Skip John Oliver dropped a six on the fifth end, to go 1-12 down and despite winning nine of the remaining thirteen ends they lost by 15 shots to 21.
P.Holzbauer, A.Edwards & I.Williams lost to G.Robertson, M.Looney & B.Clarke 7-20; B.Williams, B.Edwards & J.Oliver lost to J.Croshaw, J.Johnson & L.Clarke 15-21.

Datchworth Green 34 Parkside Greens 25
On Tuesday night it was the turn of another Parkside team to visit our Turkey Farm green. This time it was their Greens team; for a Div. 1 Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League match against our Green team. This time the result went 34 shots to 25 in our favour. Rachel Jones, Neil Mean and Skip Derek Henley edged a tight game, where the ends were shared equally, by 14 shots to 13. Despite going 1-8 down after six ends, Chris Hills, Mike Mahoney and Skip Jim Smith fought back. Winning all but three of the remaining twelve ends, they came from behind to win by 20 shots to 12.
R.Jones, N.Mean & D.Henley beat B.Fuller, A.Randall & A.Croshaw 14-13; C.Hills, M.Mahoney & J.Smith beat P.Jones, N.Dickinson & D.Robertson 20-13.

Datchworth 50 Stevenage Town 36
On Wednesday night Stevenage Town were the visitors to our Turkey Farm green, for a Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League match and they were beaten by 50 shots to 36. Barbara Williams, Julian Hales and Skip Steve Arnold only lost five ends in their 20 shots to 9 win. Mareen Blunt, John Oliver and Skip Neil Mean shared the ends equally as they took the lead on the third end and held to it till the end; winning by 15 shots to 11. Pauline Whybrow, Ann Edwards and Skip Steve Chamberlain were 6-8 down after eight ends. Then six losing ends later they were 6-16 down. They fought back to win the closing four ends, and if it were not for the Stevenage Skip cutting their shot count down on the final end, they would have picked up more than the four shots they did, and they would have won. But instead, they lost by the odd shot, 15-16.
B.Williams, J.Hales & S.Arnold beat P.Kent, R.McRae & W.Taylor 20-9; M.Blunt, J.Oliver & N.Mean beat B.Preston, B.North & T.Kent 15-11; P.Whybrow, A.Edwards & S.Chamberlain lost to D.Penfound, R.Fletcher & B.Fletcher 15-16.

Datchworth Men 45 Hertford Men 36
On Thursday night the Men of Hertford were the visitors to our Turkey Farm green for a Men’s County League match and were beaten by 45 shots to 36. Mike Mahoney, Rob Hazeu, Steve Arnold and Skip Peter Hills went 8-1 up after five ends, then 10-14 down after thirteen ends before they won all but two of the remaining eight ends, including picking up three shots on the final end, to win by the odd shot 20-19. Ian Green, Steve Chamberlain, Derek Henley and Skip Les Parsley trailed for all but three of the first fifteen ends. They picked up five shots on the sixteenth end, to take a 17 shot to 16 lead and increased that lead to 25-17 at the end.
M.Mahoney, R.Hazeu, S.Arnold & P.Hills beat S.Ellis, L.Gray, K.Hartfield & M.Rowe 20-19; I.Green, S.Chamberlain, D.Henley & L.Parsley beat M.Irving, J.Sapsed, J.Smith & M.Toynton 25-17.

Datchworth 40 Riverain 49
On Saturday afternoon Riverain were the visitors to our Turkey Farm green for a Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League match and they beat us by 49 shots to 40. Chris Hills, Neil Mean and Skip Derek Henly won the first two ends but were overtaken two ends later. They never caught up after that and lost by 12 shots to 20. Maureen Blunt, John Oliver and Skip Steve Arnold lead 11-2 after nine ends, but were caught three ends later. They were level again, at 13 apiece, after fifteen ends. They won two of the closing three ends to win by 16 shots to 14. Dickie Jackson, Ann Edwards and Skip peter Hills led 9-5 after nine ends, but lost the next six ends to trail 9-14. They won two of the closing three ends, but still lost by 12 shots to 15.
C.Hills, N.Mean & D.Henley lost to S.Phillips, C.Hensler & D.Pearce 12-20; M.Blunt, J.Oliver & S.Arnold beat C.Millar, G.Brown & J.Welch 16-14;D.Jackson, A.Edwards & P.Hills lost to R.Cocks, C.Trussell & B.Mills 12-15.

Datchworth 30 St Ippolytts 57
On Sunday afternoon we travelled to St Ippolytts for our second Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League match of the weekend, and suffered our second defeat of the weekend, 30-57. Barbara Williams, Ken Ryder and Skip Peter Hills only won five ends in their 11-20 loss. Maurice Gordon, Steve Chamberlain and Skip Jim Smith lost the first two ends and never got back in the hunt, losing by 8 shots to 19. Chris Hills, Ian Williams and Skip Steve Arnold only lost two more ends than they won in their 11-18 loss.
B.Williams, K.Ryder & P.Hills lost to S.Hughes, C.Childs & T.Godden 11-20; M.Gordon, S.Chamberlain & J.Smith lost to K.Stollery, J.Godfrey & C.Davidson 8-19; C.Hills, I.Williams & S.Arnold lost to C.Farley, J.Dudley & J.Clark 11-18.

Website Report for week ending 18th July 2021.

Datchworth 91 W.G.C. 45
On Monday afternoon we travelled to W.G.C’s Digswell Park green for a Friendly match and won by 91 shots to 45. Dickie Jackson, Ken Ryder and Skip Julian Hales were just 15-13 ahead with five ends to play, but they won all of those ends to run out winners by 31 shots to 13. Barbara Williams, John Oliver and Skip Neil Mean had a closer game. For most of their game there was only two shots separating the teams. The lead changed hands three times. They went into the final end 16-11 up, but dropped four shots and edged home by 16 shots to 15. Annette Hutchinson, Maurice Gordon and Skip Ian Williams lost only five ends as they ran out winners by 24 shots to 7. Despite sharing the ends equally Richard Hutchinson, Ann Edwards and Skip Steve Arnold won by 20 shots to 10, thanks to picking up five shots early on and six shots on the penultimate end.
D.Jackson, K.Ryder & J.Hales beat D.Bedford, A.Dickens & J.Wright 31-13; B.Williams, J.Oliver & N.Mean beat A.Bradford, T.Martin & T.Hughes 15-15; A.Hutchinson, M.Gordon & I.Willi9ams beat G.Gladwell, R.Buchta & B.Hughes 24-7; R.Hutchinson, A.Edwards & S.Arnold beat C.Royall, R.Avery & S.Knight 20-10.

On Tuesday night both of our East Herts Bowls League teams were in action. Our Div. 1 Blue team were at home to Welwyn Bucks, while our Div. 2 Gold team were away to Hertingfordbury.

Datchworth Blue 52 Welwyn Bucks 12
At our Turkey Farm green the Blue team ran out comfortable winners by 52 shots to 12. Derek Henley, Neil Mean and Skip Peter Hills lost only four ends as the won by 27 shots to 9. Mike Mahoney, Steve Arnold and Skip Les Parsley lost only three ends as they ran out winners by 25 shots to 3.
D.Henley, N.Mean & P.Hills beat E.Goodhall, N.Woor & J.Festa 27-9; M.Mahoney, S.Arnold & L.Parsley beat I.Whitcombe, C.Read & J.Summerfield 25-3.

Datchworth Gold 33 Hertingfordbury 32
At Hertingfordbury’s Hartham green our Gold team snuck a win by 33 shots to 32. For Dickie Jackson, Julian Hales and Skip Steve Chamberlain it was a game of three thirds. They were 16-1 up after seven ends, then their lead was cut to 16-9 after thirteen ends, then they won all but one of the closing five ends to win by 20 shots to 10. It was a different story for Ian Bartlett, Phil Berry and Skip Ian Williams. They dropped four shots on the first end and remained behind till the end. But they won all but the final end of the closing four ends to go from 6-21 down to 13-22 down, which helped to win the match by the one shot, 33-32.
D.Jackson, J.Hales & S.Chamberlain beat C.Straker, R.Hanking & K.Hartfield 20-10; I.Bartlett, P.Berry & I.Williams lost to P.Manning, T.Hartfield & J.Smith 13-22.

It was another busy night for our bowlers on Wednesday night, with three matches being played. Our Welwyn Hatfield Div. 1 Green team were home and away to W.G.C’s Knights team in the League’s John Brown Trophy. Our Div. 2 Yellow team were at home to Shire Park, and our Ladies were also at home, against Hertford Castle’s Ladies in the Ladies County League.

Datchworth Green 34 W.G.C. Knight 32
The Green team beat W.G.C. Knights by 34 shots to 32. At our Turkey Farm green Andrew Phillips, Neil Mean and Skip Derek Henley had a close game for fourteen ends, when they were 9-12 down. They picked up four shots on the next end and dropped five shots on the following end, to go 13-17 down with two ends to play. They won both of those but still lost by the odd shot, 16-17. At W.G.C’s Digswell Park green Graham Akers, Mike Mahoney and Skip Les Parsley built up a 13-3 lead after nine ends. They then won only three of the remaining nine ends, but managed to hold on to their lead to win by 18-15.
A.Phillips, N.Mean & D.Henley lost to G.Beaumont, T.Seeby & D.Hegarty 16-17; G.Akers, M.Mahoney & L.Parsley beat J.Gibbs, I.Stone & T.Strickland 18-15.

Datchworth Yellow 40 Shire Park 33
Our Yellow team beat Shire Park by 40 shots to 33. Nicki and Phil Berry and Skip Steve Chamberlain only won three of the first twelve ends, to trail by 6 shots to 18. But they fought back to win all but two of the closing six ends and cut their losing deficit down to 12-23. Dickie Jackson, Ian Green and Skip Julian Hales won five ends in a row to go from 9-4 up after six ends, to 23-4 up after eleven ends. They then won four of the remaining seven ends to win by 28-10.
N.Berry, P.Berry & S.Chamberlain lost to I.Handley, P.Williams & G.Edwards 12-23; D.Jackson, I.Green & J.Hales beat J.Bramson, B.Sinfield & R.Bramson 28-10.

Datchworth Ladies 9 Hertford Castle Ladies 25
In the Ladies County League, the Hertford Castle Ladies were too strong for Barbara Williams, Janet Akers, Ann Edwards and Skip Chris Hills as they lost 9-25 after winning just six of the ends played.
B.Williams, J.Akers, A.Edwards & C.Hills lost to P.Beeson, A.Crowther, P.Scholey & W.Butt 9-25.

Datchworth Green 31 Knebworth Yellow 29
On Thursday night our Green team made the short trip to Knebworth to take on their Yellow team in a Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League Div. 1 match and came away after a 31 shot to 29 win. Graham Akers, Neil Mean and Skip Les Parsley lost the first five ends, to trail 0-9. They were 5-18 down with six ends to play. They won those six ends and managed to cut their losing deficit to 16-18. Rob Hazeu, Mike Mahoney and Skip Jim Smith won their first six ends, to lead 10-0. But they went on to win only four of the remaining twelve ends, it was enough to hold onto their lead and they won by 15 shots to 11; and enough to give the team an overall win.
G.Akers, N.Mean & L.Parsley lost to G.Read, D.Berry & G.Stevens 16-18; R.Hazeu, M.Mahoney & J.Smith beat J.Jeromson, P.Veale & J.Matthews 15-11.

Datchworth 65 Aston 37
On Saturday afternoon Aston were the visitors to the Turkey Farm, after making the short trip across the A602, for a Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League match and were beaten by 65 shots to 37. Maureen Blunt, Ken Ryder and Skip Steve Arnold won the first three ends, to lead 8-0. It was a lead they never lost as they ran our winners by 19 shots to 11. It was a similar story for Janet Akers, Burt Edwards and Skip Derek Henley as they too won the first three ends, to lead 5-0. They too never lost the lead as they ran out winners by 24 shots to 10. It was a different story for Dickie Jackson, Ann Edwards and Skip Peter Hills. They won just three of the first ten ends, but only trailed by 10 shots to 13. They then won all but two of the remaining eight ends to come from behind and win by 22 shots to 16.
M.Blunt, K.Ryder & S.Arnold beat J.Meeks, N.Wray & T.Phipps 19-11; J.Akers, B.Edwards & D.Henley beat M.Grindley, L.Grindley & M.Allington 24-10; D.Jackson, A.Edwards & P.Hills beat E.O’Hanlon, K.O’Hanlon & S.Mahoney 22-16.

Datchworth v Knebworth
This Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League match on Sunday afternoon was called off by us due to a combination of the hot weather, players playing Club matches in the morning and pulling out of the match late, and the Reserves already called into the team to replace players who had already pulled out.

Website Report for week ending 25th July 2021.

Datchworth Blue 25 Ware Wolves 37
It was not a good night for our Blue team as they lost 25-37 in an East Herts Bowls League Div. 1 match at home to Ware Wolves. Graham Akers, Neil Mean and Skip Peter Hills built up a healthy 12 shots to 1 lead after nine ends, and were still 15-5 up after thirteen ends. Things went haywire after that as they only won one of the remaining five ends to draw 16 apiece. Mike Mahoney, Steve Arnold and Skip Les Parsley were 5-2 up after seven ends, but five losing ends later they were 5-16 down. Despite winning three of the remaining five ends they lost 9-21.
G.Akers, N.Mean & P.Hills drew with M.Bentley, G.Inge & A.Franklin 16 all; M.Mahoney, S.Arnold & L.Parsley lost to C.Britten, S.Pyne & V.Goodey 9-21.

On rain affected Tuesday night it was a double-double header of sorts at our Turkey Farm green as both of our Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League teams were in action. Our Div. 1 Green team played Hertford, while our Div. 2 Yellow team took on their green sharing neighbours Hertford Castle’s Harlequins team.

Datchworth Green 25 Hertford 31
Our Green team lost 25-31 after their match was cut short by heavy rain, thunder and lightning. Chris Hills, Derek Henley and Skip Jim Smith won two more ends than they lost, as they won by 15 shots to 9. Rachel Jones, George Campbell and Skip Les Parsley trailed from the off as they went down by 10 shots to 22.
C.Hills, D.Henley & J.Smith beat T.Rowe, M.Rowe & B.Worsley 15-9; R.Jones, G.Campbell & L.Parsley lost to K.Cartwright, J.Smith & P.Worsley 10-22.

Datchworth Yellow 36 Harlequins 36
Our Yellow team drew 36 apiece after the rain also called a halt to their match. Dickie Jackson, John Oliver and Skip Steve Chamberlain won four more ends than they lost but picked up more than twice as many shots as they ran out 29-13 winners. Janet Akers, Ian Green and Skip Julian Hales only won five ends as they lost heavily 7-23.
D.Jackson, J.Oliver & S.Chamberlain beat G.Butt, C.Phillips & R.Adams 29-13; J.Akers, I.Green & J.Hales lost to J.Adams, D.Cheshire & A.Brandford 7-23.

Datchworth 52 Harperbury 46
On Wednesday afternoon Harperbury were the visitors to our Turkey Farm green for a Mixed Friendly and were beaten by 52 shots to 46. Janet Akers, Burt Edwards and Skip Julian Hales only won two more ends than they lost but picked up more than double the shots than they dropped in their 25 shots to 12 win. Richard Hutchinson, Annette Hutchinson and Skip Neil Mean won just one of the first nine ends, to trail 1-16. They won the next six ends before losing the final three ends and lost by 11 shots to 23. Phil Holzbauer, Ann Edwards and Skip Graham Akers trailed 4-7 after seven ends, then they won seven of the remaining eleven ends to come from behind to win by 16 shots to 11.
J.Akers, B.Edwards & J.Hales beat J.Eaton, R.Conner & K.Williams 25-12; R.Hutchinson, A.Hutchinson & N.Mean lost to R.Fruin, J.Webster & R.Ranstead 11-23; P.Holzbauer, A.Edwards & G.Akers beat M.Barnard, J.Taylor & J.Gauthier 16-11.

Datchworth 25 W.G.C, 50
On Thursday night our Men were home and away to W.G.C. in the East Herts Bowls League Ranson Cup and were beaten by 25 shots to 50. At our own Turkey Farm green Graham Akers, Neil Mean, Derek Henley and Skip Les Parsley were 5 apiece after eight ends. They then dropped a four. But got to 10-11 down after thirteen ends, only to lose the next three ends, to go 10-20 down. They then won all but one of the final four ends, but still lost 16-22. At W.G.C’s Digswell Park green Mike Mahoney, Andrew Phillips, Steve Chamberlain and Skip Peter Hills were no match for a strong W.G.C. four, winning only seven of the twenty one ends played, and losing by 9 shots to 28.
G.Akers, N.Mean, D.Henley & L.Parsley lost to T.Seeby, G.Frost, L.Brown & J.Avery 16-22; M.Mahoney, A.Phillips, S.Chamberlain & P.Hills lost to I.Stone, D.Avenell, G.Walton & B.Evans 9-28.

Datchworth 54 Letchworth Garden City 81
On Friday night our Men were in Cup action again. This time home and away to Letchworth Garden City in Letchworth and District Bowling Association’s Cairns Cup; but this too ended in defeat. At our green John Oliver, Neil Mean and Skip Steve Arnold only managed four winning ends as they were over-run by 9 shots to 29. Dickie Jackson, Mike Mahoney and Skip Peter Hills led 12-9 after twelve ends, but lost the remaining six ends to lose by 12 shots to 18. At L.G.C’s Norton Common green their sprinkler system decided to water the green halfway through the match and had an immediate effect on it. Graham Akers, Steve Chamberlain and Skip Derek Henley were 14-7 up when the sprinklers came on. When they went off and the games re-started, they only managed to win two more ends and lost by 17 shots to 19. Ian Green, Jim Smith and Skip Les Parsley were 10-5 up when the sprinklers came on. When they went off and the games re-started, they managed to win half of the remaining eight ends and hang on to win by 16 shots to 15.
J.Oliver, N.Mean & S.Arnold lost to D.Collins, P.Bailey & C.Ottaway 9-29; D.Jackson, M.Mahoney & P.Hills lost to D.Simms, B.Rogan & A.Hodgson 12-18; I.Green, J.Smith & L.Parsley beat A.Smith, B.Hart & T.Sinclair 16-15; G.Akers, S.Chamberlain & D.Henley lost to M.Vardy, M.Garlick & P.Billson 17-19.

Datchworth Green 59 Hertford 31
On Saturday morning our Green team were in action again, against the same opponents from four days earlier, Hertford. This time it was the Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League’s Jubilee Cup, with one Rink at home and one away. At our Turkey Farm green Rachel Jones, Chris Hills, Mike Mahoney and Skip Les Parsley built up a healthy 18-4 lead after picking up a sixth on the ninth end. They then only won two of the next ten ends to lead by just 22-20, with two ends to play. They won both of those to win by 28 shots to 20. At Hertford’s Pegs Lane green Graham Akers, Andrew Phillips, Derek Henley and Skip Jim Smith won the first five ends, to lead 8-0. They won just two of the next eight ends to lead 13-8. They then won six ends in a row to go 31-8 up with two ends to play. They lost both of those to win by 31 shots to 11.
R.Jones, C.Hills, M.Mahoney & L.Parsley beat M.Rowe, C.Sage, A.Costin & A.Costin 28-20; G.Akers, A, Phillips, D.Henley & J.Smith beat T.Sage, A.Barrett, A.Hudson & B.Worsley 31-11.

Saturday’s match away to Hitchin Town was called of in the morning because of the forecast bad weather, which, as it turned out, never materialized. But it did turn up on Sunday, and affected that match.

Datchworth 49 Sele Farm 27
On Sunday afternoon we travelled to Hertford’s Hartham to play Sele Farm in a Mixed Friendly. This match was cut short halfway through when heavy rain flooded the green and the match had to be stopped, with the score 49-27 in our favour. At that point Richard Hutchinson, Chris Hills and Skip Derek Henley were 12-10 up. Janet and Graham Akers and Skip Steve Chamberlain were 15-3 up. Maureen Blunt, Dickie Jackson and Skip Peter Hills were 11 apiece. Rachel Jones, Neil Mean and Skip Les Parsley were up 11-3 against a Triple Skipped by Les’s brother Jim.
R.Hutchinson, C.Hills & D.Henley beat S.Kelley, I.Kelley & J.Jones 12-10; J & G.Akers & S.Chamberlain beat C.Shelley, J.Ottley & D.Pratt 15-3; M.Blunt, D.Jackson & P.Hills drew with B.Turner, E.Lundy & N.Lonagan 11 all; R.Jones, N.Mean & L.Parsley beat J.Parsley, J.Martin & J.Parsley 11-3.

Website Report for week ending 1st August 2021.

A very slow week of bowling for our bowlers this week with only three matches scheduled, plus our re-scheduled Memorial Day.

Datchworth Ladies 16 Bishop’s Stortford Ladies 30
The Ladies from Bishop’s Stortford were the visitors to our Turkey Farm green on Tuesday night for a Ladies County League match and they over-powered our Ladies by 30 shots to 16. They only dropped four shots over the first nine ends, to lead 7-4. They then won six ends in a row to extend their lead dramatically to 26-4. But Rachel Jones, Janet Akers, who had to replace Jenny Holzbauer just before half-way, Ann Edwards and Skip Chris Hills regained some sort of control as they won three of the closing six ends, picking up twelve shots in the process, while dropping four; to lose by 16 shots to 30.
R.Jones, J.Holzbauer (J.Akers, sub), A.Edwards & C.Hills lost to K.Owen, D.Hunt, J.Helm & L.Moylette 16-30.

Datchworth Gold 27 Sawbridgeworth Red 46
On Wednesday night our Gold team travelled to Sawbridgeworth to take on their Red team in an East Herts Bowls League Div. 2 match and came out second best following a 46-27 defeat. Phil Holzbauer, Ian Green and Skip Julian Hales had built up a healthy 12-5 lead after eight ends before the wheels came dramatically of their waggon. They only managed two more winning ends as they crashed to a 15 shot to 26 defeat. It was a similar story for Burt Edwards, John Oliver and Skip Ian Williams. They went 9-4 up after nine ends then won only the final two ends to lose by 12 shots to 20.
P.Holzbauer, I.Green & J.Hales lost to J.Watkins, D.Grimmett & K.Brown 15-26; B.Edwards, J.Oliver & I.Williams lost to T.Wright, R.Marshall & P.Neale 12-20.

On Saturday afternoon we played our re-scheduled Memorial Day, where ten Triples of Club Members played four rounds of a Round Robin competition, with the money raised going to the charity of choice of one of our members who had passed away since the Club was formed. The money raised on this occasion (£160.00) will be donated to the Cat’s Protection in memory of Rosemary Ayres. Rain came just as the teams were coming in for their half-time break, and as soon as it stopped, they came out to play the last two rounds. The winners were the Triple of Jenny Holzbauer, Graham Akers and Steve Chamberlain, followed by John Ellis, Rachel Jones and Peter Hills; with Phil Holzbauer, Annette Hutchinson and John Oliver a close third.

Datchworth 65 Kimpton 31
On Sunday afternoon Kimpton were the visitors to our Turkey Farm green for a Friendly match and were beaten by 65 shots to 31. Pauline Whybrow, Barbara Williams and Skip Ken Ryder had a close game, winning the end-count 10-8, and going into the final end all square at 15 apiece. They picked up one shot on that end, to win by 16 shots to 15. Jack Harper, Maureen Blunt and Skip Ian Williams lost seven ends in their game as they ran out winners by 22 shots to 9. Janet Akers, Phil Holzbauer and Skip Graham Akers lost only five ends as they ran out winners by 27 shots to 7.
P.Whybrow, B.Williams & K.Ryder beat D.Truscott, P.Flury & P.Matthews 16-15; J.Harper, M.Blunt & I.Williams beat S.Truscott, A.Strange & A.Fitzjohn 22-9; J.Akers, P.Holzbauer & G.Akers beat D.Moore, W.Phillips & D.Matthews 27-7.

Website Report for week ending 8th August 2021.

We played two matches at home on Tuesday; a Mixed Friendly against Hitchin Town in the afternoon and Northaw and Cuffley in a Men’s County League match in the evening.

Datchworth 86 Hitchin Town 62
We beat Hitchin Town by 86 shots to 62. Roger Tomlinson, Rachel Jones and Skip Steve Arnold lost just six ends as they ran out winners by 25 shots to 13. Jack Harper, Richard Brewster and Skip Richard Harper went one better as they lost just five ends in their 24 shots to 10 win. Linda Tyler, Burt Edwards and Skip Neil Mean narrowly lost the end-count 8-10, and lost their game by an even narrower score, 19-20. It was the same story for Ian Tyler, Ann Edwards and Skip Julian Hales, as they too lost the end-count 8-10 and the game 18-19, thanks to picking up six shots on the last end.
R.Tomlinson, R.Jones & S.Arnold beat C.Balaam, K.Loosemore & J.Morris 25-13; J.Harper, R.Brewster & R.Harper beat R.Cole, A.Newbury & G.Munge 24-10; L.Tyler, B.Edwards & N.Mean lost to P.Newbury, T.Loosemore & K.Spendlow 19-20; I.Tyler, A.Edwards & J.Hales lost to L.Morris, M.Balaam & M.Wells 18-19.

Datchworth Men 43 Northaw and Cuffley Men 39
Our Men beat Northaw and Cuffley’s Men by 43 shots to 39. Dickie Jackson, Graham Akers, Steve Chamberlain and Skip Jim Smith led 11-5 after nine ends. They lost the next five ends, to trail 11-16. They then won four of the closing seven ends to lose by 18 shots to 21. Mike Mahoney, Derek Henley, Rob Hazeu and Skip Steve Arnold had a close game all the way to the last end when they were 19-18 ahead, after dropping three shots on the penultimate end; but two shots adrift overall, as they were the last Rink to finish. With just the Skips to bowl they were holding shot with Northaw and Cuffley’s second wood, less than a foot away from the Jack and level with it, holding other Datchworth woods away from counting. After missing with his first wood and the Northaw and Cuffley Skip, Ray Barwick, failing to put a blocker in with his two woods, the Datchworth Skip, Steve Arnold, sent his and the games last wood up, it took the second wood out of the head cleanly and left Datchworth holding six shots. Which was enough to extend their winning margin to seven and to win the match overall by four shots.
D.Jackson, G.Akers, S.Chamberlain & J.Smith lost to M.Manzi, M.Bryant, R.Brewer & J.Dowler 18-21; M.Mahoney, D.Henley, R.Hazeu & S.Arnold beat D.Hurford, J.Clark, B.Holding & R.Barwick 25-18.

Our Friendly match against North Herts on Wednesday afternoon was cancelled at the start of the season by them, because of the covid situation.

Datchworth Yellow 38 Bengeo 21
On Thursday night our Yellow team travelled to Bengeo to take them on in a Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League Div. 2 match and won by 38 shots to 21. Dickie Jackson, Phil Berry and Skip Julian Hales won the first five ends, to lead 7-0. Eight ends later the scores were level at 12 shots apiece. They then won the closing five ends to win by 22 shots to 12. Niki Berry, Ian Bartlett and Skip Steve Chamberlain led 3-2 after four ends. They won the next three ends to lead 6-2 and then gradually increased their lead to the end, winning by 16 shots to 9.
D.Jackson, P.Berry & J.Hales beat D.Robbins, A.Cracknell & B.Ward 22-12; N.Berry, I.Bartlett & S.Chamberlain beat C.Storey, J.Arch & E.Morton 16-9.

Our Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League match at home to Three Horseshoes on Saturday afternoon was postponed by them. It will be played later in the season.

Datchworth 90 Hoddesdon and Rye Park 88
On Sunday afternoon we travelled to Hoddesdon to play Hoddesdon and Rye Park in a Mixed Friendly, with the largest team of 5 Mixed Triples that we have managed to field for any match so far this season, due to the effect the covid restrictions has had on clubs around the country, and came away after a closely contested match 90 shots to 88 winners. Janet Akers, John Oliver and Skip Steve Arnold had a nip and tuck game where the scores were level for the fourth time at 12 apiece with three ends to play. They dropped three on the first of those and picked up one shot on the final two, to lose by 14 shots to 15. Ian Tyler, George Campbell and Skip Richard Harper shared the ends equally. But dropping a six and two fives did not help them, as they lost by 18 shots to 28 loss. Chris Hills, Steve Chamberlain and Skip Jim Smith won twice as many ends than they lost in their 27 shots to 12 win. Dickie Jackson, Rob Hazeu and Skip Peter Hills had a close game where their scores we level for the second time at 9 apiece after ten ends. They then won five of the closing eight ends to win by 19 shots to 14. Linda Tyler, Graham Akers and Skip Julian Hales were just 8-9 adrift after ten ends. But they lost the next five ends to trail 8-19. Winning the closing three ends reduced their deficit down to 12-19.
J.Akers, J.Oliver & S.Arnold lost to G.Medler, A.Rowley & D.Stevenson 14-15; I.Tyler, G.Campbell & R.Harper lost to T.Pook, S.Metzner & M.Towers 18-28; C.Hills, S.Chamberlain & J.Smith beat B.Barton, C.Miles & D.Gussell 27-12; D.Jackson, R.Hazeu & P.Hills beat J.Toner, T.Eldridge & W.Richardson 19-14; L.Tyler, G.Akers & J.Hales lost to G.Dunfold, J.Varney & B.Osman 12-19.

Website Report for week ending 15th August 2021.

The first of three double-headers this week was played on Monday night when our Gold team travelled to W.G.C’s KGV greens to play Parkside in an East Herts Bowls League Div. 2 match and our Ladies took on Northaw and Cuffley’s Ladies in a Ladies County League match at our own Turkey Farm green.

Datchworth Gold 24 Parkside 33
Our Gold team lost by 24 shots to 33. Dickie Jackson, John Oliver and Skip Steve Chamberlain only managed to win five ends as they lost by 8 shots to 22. Ian Green, Phil Berry and Skip Julian Hales had a closer game. They led 9-2 after six ends and held onto their lead despite losing seven of the remaining twelve ends; eventually winning by 16 shots to 11.
D.Jackson, J.Oliver & S.Chamberlain lost to B.Fuller, M.Looney & A.Croshaw 8-22; I.Green, P.Berry & J.Hales beat T.Wilkinson, M.Cragg & D.Robertson 16-11.

Datchworth Ladies 9 Northaw & Cuffley Ladies 32
Our Ladies were no match for the Ladies of Northaw and Cuffley as Janet Akers, Rachel Jones, Barbara Williams and Skip Ann Edwards crashed to a 9 shots to 32 defeat.
J.Akers, R.Jones, B.Williams & A.Edwards lost to P.Boyle, C.Brewer, M.Philip & C.Ryan 9-32.

Datchworth Men 35 Ware Men 41
On Tuesday night our Men travelled to Ware to take on their Men in a Men’s County League match and lost by 35 shots to 41. Mike Mahoney, Rob Hazeu, Derek Henley and Skip Les Parsley trailed from the start and were 10- 20 down with five ends to play. They won all five ends to cut their deficit to 18 shots to 20. Graham Akers, Steve Arnold, Jim Smith and Skip Peter Hills won the first two ends and held the lead until they dropped two shots on the ninth end, to trail 6-8. They managed to regain the lead, 15-13, after picking up three shots on the seventeenth end. But they dropped eight shots over the next three ends, to trail 15-21. Picking up two shots on the final end reduced the deficit to 17-21.
M.Mahoney, R.Hazeu, D.Henley & L.Parsley lost to S.Hall, M.Bentley, N.Wareham & A.Franklin 18-20; G.Akers, S.Arnold, J.Smith & P.Hills lost to S.Emmett, M.Gray, M.Judd & V.Goodey 17-21.

For the second double-header of the week our Gold team were in action again, this time at home to Hertford in an East Herts Bowls League Div. 2 match, while Green team travelled to W.G.C’s Digswell Park to take on W.G.C. Knights in a Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League Div. 1 match.

Datchworth Gold 20 Hertford 56
Our Gold team suffered their second defeat of the week, 20-56, to the current division leaders. Dickie Jackson, Burt Edwards and Skip Julian Hales only won two of the first eleven ends, to trail 2-18. They pulled themselves together somewhat by winning four of the closing seven ends to lose by 15 shots to 26. Ian Bartlett, Ian Green and Skip Steve Chamberlain only won five ends as they crashed to a 5 shots to 30 defeat.
D.Jackson, B.Edwards & J.Hales lost to J.Sapsed, B.Worsley & A.Costin 15-26; I.Bartlett, I.Green & S.Chamberlain lost to M.Irving, M.Rowe & M.Toynton 5-30.

Datchworth Green 30 W.G.C. Knights 31
Our Green team came away from Digswell Park after a very narrow 30 shots to 31 defeat. Graham Akers, Rob Hazeu and Skip les Parsley trailed from the off and were 7-15 down with four ends to play. They won the first three of those, picking up seven shots; to go into the final end just 14-15 down. They dropped three on that end to lose by 14 shots to 18. George Campbell, Derek Henley and Skip Jim Smith were 9-7 up after twelve ends. They picked up six shots on the next end, to lead 15-7 with five ends to play. They only won one of those ends but held on to win by 16 shots to 13.
G.Akers, R.Hazeu & L.Parsley lost to L.Kilmister, D.Bedford & D.Jooste 14-18; G.Campbell, D.Henley & J.Smith beat G.Beaumont, P.Roach & D.Hegarty 16-13.

On Thursday night it was the third double-header of the week as both of our County League teams played their second League matches of the week as they took on their counterparts from Buntingford; our Ladies were away while our Men were at home.

Datchworth Ladies 14 Buntingford Ladies 21
At Buntingford Rachel Jones, Jenny Holzbauer, Ann Edwards and Skip Chris Hills led 8-4 after seven ends, then they lost the next four ends, to trail 8-11. They never really got back in the hunt after that, eventually losing by 14 shots to 21.
R.Jones, J.Holzbauer, A.Edwards & C.Hills lost to C.Cain, J.Newington, C.Hately & D.Geere 14-21.

Datchworth Men 32 Buntingford Men 47
At our Turkey Farm green our Men lost by 32 shots to 47. Mike Mahoney, Ian Williams, Derek Henley and Skip Les Parsley were level at 10 apiece after ten ends but then only won three of the remaining eight ends to lose by 14 shots to 23. Dickie Jackson, Graham Akers, Steve Chamberlain and Skip Steve Arnold led from the off and were 16-10 ahead after twelve ends. Then the visitors found their line and length and won all but one of the remaining nine ends to come from behind and win by 24 shots to 18.
M.Mahoney, I.Williams, D.Henley & L.Parsley lost to P.Warren, D.Murphy, V.Greenberg & M.Plume 14-23; D.Jackson, G.Akers, S.Chamberlain & S.Arnold lost to R.Murphy, T.Keeling, C.Frostick & G.Warrender 18-24.

Datchworth 43 St Ippolytts 57
On Saturday afternoon St Ippolytts were the visitors to the Turkey Farm for a Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League match and returned home following a 57 shots to 43 win over us. Rachel Jones, John Oliver and Skip Steve Arnold had a close game for fifteen ends, by which time the scores had been level four times, and they led 10-9. They dropped four shots on the next end and picked up one shot on the penultimate, to go into the final end 11-13 down. They were holding three shots with the St Ippolytts Skip, Colin Davidson, to bowl his last wood. It was into the head and with a bit of help from a couple of woods he managed to get the shot and win by 14 shots to 11. Janet and Graham Akers and Skip Neil Mean won the first two ends then lost the next six, to trail by 4 shots to 13. They remained behind until eventually losing by 13 shots to 24. George Campbell, Ann Edwards and Skip Rob Hazeu had a topsy turvy game. They trailed for the first eight ends, then led for the next ten before losing the final end to be pegged back at 19 apiece. They then lost the extra end.
R.Jones, J.Oliver & S.Arnold lost to B.Impey, J.Godfrey & C.Davidson 11-14; J.Akers, G.Akers 7 N.Mean lost to C.Farley, J.Dudley & J.Clark 13-24; G.Campbell, A.Edwards & R.Hazeu drew with .Hughes, B.Goodey & T.Godden 19 all.

Datchworth 57 Holwell 42
On Sunday afternoon we travelled to Holwell for our second Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League match of the weekend and come away with an almost reverse score from the day before, winning by 57 shots to 42. Jenny Holzbauer, Ian Tyler and Skip Steve Chamberlain lost just five ends in their 26-6 win. It was almost the reverse story for Linda Tyler, Maurice Gordon and Skip Julian Hales as they won seven ends in their 11-23 defeat. It was a much closer story for Janet Akers, Dickie Jackson and Skip Steve Arnold as they were 7-9 down after eleven ends before they picked up thirteen shots over the closing seven ends, while dropping just four as they won by 20 shots to 13.
J.Holzbauer, I.Tyler & S.Chamberlain beat G.Curtis, E.Hartley & S.Bailey 26-6; L.Tyler, M.Gordon & J.Hales lost to M.Griffiths, A.Wilson & M.Barfoot 11-23; J.Akers, D.Jackson & S.Arnold beat S.Curtis, D.Griffiths & D.Hooper 20-13.

Website Report for week ending 22nd August 2021.

A busy week of bowling for our members this week with nine scheduled matches to be played.

Datchworth Blue 27 Northaw and Cuffley 37
On Monday night our Blue team travelled to Northaw and Cuffley for their final East Herts Bowls League Div. 1 match of the season and came away second best after a 27 shot to 39 loss. George Campbell, Neil Mean and Skip Derek Henley struggled to find their line and length and went 3 shots to 17 down after eleven ends. They then got their act together somewhat and won three of the final seven ends to cut their losing deficit to 10 shots to 22. Andrew Phillips, Steve Arnold and Skip Les Parsley had a much closer game and went into the final end 17-13 to the good. But with the last wood of the game the Northaw and Cuffley Skip managed to find a way into the head to get the fourth wood they needed to draw the game 17 apiece.
G.Campbell, N.Mean & D.Henley lost to D.Taylor, J.Clark & M.Ryan 10-22; A.Phillips, S.Arnold & L.Parsley drew with M.Bryant, R.Brewster & B.Holding 17 all.

Datchworth 36 Riverain 62
On Tuesday night we travelled to Hitchin to play Riverain in a Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League match and for the second time in two days came away second best after a 36 shot to 62 defeat. Chris Hills, John Oliver and Skip Steve Chamberlain could not find a way past their opponents, winning just five ends, as they crashed to a 10 shot to 26 defeat. Phil Holzbauer, Ann Edwards and Skip Ken Ryder fared a little better. They shared the end-count equally but still went down by 15 shots to 21. Julian Hales, Burt Edwards and Skip Steve Arnold led for all but two of the eighteen ends played but dropped a two on the penultimate end and one on the final end to be pegged back to all square at 15 apiece. But that was all for nothing, as they played an all-Men Triple the League rules dictated that they were docked 4 shots and therefore they lost 11-15 as a result.
C.Hills, J.Oliver & S.Chamberlain lost to B.Mills, G.Fisk & P.Fisk 10-26; P.Holzbauer, A.Edwards & K.Ryder lost to C.Hensler, G.Brown & A.Weaver 15-21; J.Hales, B.Edwards & S.Arnold lost to M.Gray, A.Straw & S.Else 11-15.

The first of two double-headers on consecutive nights involved our Gold and Green teams. Our Gold team playing their final East Herts Bowls League Div. 2 match of the season, and our Green team played their first of two matches, on consecutive nights, against Sele Farm in the Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League. This was with one Triple at home and one away in the Semi Final of their John Brown Trophy.

Datchworth Gold 34 Ware Cavers 31
Our Gold team travelled to Ware to take on their Cavers team. They returned home after a 34 shot to 31 win. Phil Holzbauer, Ian Green and Skip Steve Chamberlain led 5-0 after two ends, then were overtaken 5-9 after dropping a six on the sixth end. But they got their act together and won all but two of the remaining twelve ends to win comfortably by 25 shots to 13. The other Triple of Ian Bartlett, Burt Edwards and Skip John Oliver did not fare so well as they only won five ends. But in dropping mainly single shots each time they restricted their defeat to 9 shots to 18.
P.Holzbauer, I.Green & S.Chamberlain beat J.Cleave, M.Yates & J.Metcalfe 25-13; I.Bartlett, B.Edwards & J.Oliver lost to R.Myall, K.Speller & M.Dudley 9-18.

Datchworth Green 33 Sele Farm 37
With one Triple at home and one away in the Semi Final of the John Brown Trophy ended in a 33 shot to 37 defeat. At our Turkey Farm green Chris Hills, Mike Mahoney and Skip Les Parsley dropped a four on the first ends and a five on the sixth end, to trail 5-12. They never got back in the hunt after that and eventually lost by 13 shots to 26. At Sele Farm’s Hartham green Graham Akers, Rob Hazeu and Skip Derek Henley won the first four ends, to lead 7-0. They gradually extended their lead to win by 20-11. But it was not enough to win the Semi Final.
C.Hills, M.Mahoney & L.Parsley lost to E.Lundy, J.Jones & J.Parsley 13-26; G.Akers, R.Hazeu & D.Henley beat J.Parsley, J.Ottley & D.Pratt 20-11.

There should have been another double-header on Wednesday night, but that was not to be as Hertford Castle’s Jesters team had to concede their Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League Div. 2 match to our Yellow team, as they could not field a team. The other match did go ahead, and that involved our Green team up against Sele Farm again; this time in a Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League Div. 1 match.

Datchworth Green 37 Sele Farm 32
At Sele Farm’s Hartham green our Green team got some sort of revenge for the night before with a 37 shot to 32 win. Rachel Jones, Robin Gray and Skip Derek Henley did not start well as they dropped a six on the first end. But they redeemed themselves by winning the next four ends to lead 9-6. They led 17-11 after thirteen ends, but were pegged back to all square at 17 apiece with two ends to play. They won both of those to win by 21-17. George Campbell, Graham Akers and Skip Jim Smith suffered a similar experience. They too lost the first end, then lead 11-3 after seven ends, but were caught and overtaken on the penultimate end, to trail 14-15. But they picked up two shots on the final end, to sneak a win by 16 shots to 15.
R.Jones, R.Gray & D.Henley beat M.Sell, R.Pegg & S.Kelley 21-17; G.Campbell, G.Akers & J.Smith beat J.Parsley, J.Ottley & E.Lundy 16-15.

On Friday afternoon our green was used by the East Herts Bowls League as the venue for one of the Semi Finals of their Secretary’s Singles competition and it saw Garry Smith of B.S.P beat Brian Bushell of Buntingford 21-15.

Datchworth Green 44 W.G.C. Crusaders 22
On Friday night our Green team were in Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League action for the third time in three days this week; this time in the Semi Final of their Jubilee Cup, with one Rink at home and one away against Welwyn Garden City’s Crusaders team. They won it by 44 shots to 22. At our Turkey Farm green Rachel Jones, Chris Hills, Mike Mahoney and Skip Les Parsley won the first three ends but were caught at 7 apiece after eight ends. They picked up three shots on the eight end and then gradually increased their lead to win by 20 shots to 14. At W.G.C’s Digswell Park green Robin Gray, Rob Hazeu, Derek Henley and Skip Jim Smith only lost five ends as they ran out winners by 24 shots to 8.
R.Jones, C.Hills, M.Mahoney & L.Parsley beat T.Martin, K.Chamberlain, R.West & C.Avery 20-14; R.Gray, R.Hazeu, D.Henley & J.Smith beat S.Knight, J.Worman, C.Parkhouse & G.Walton 24-8.

Our away Friendly at Ware on Saturday afternoon was cancelled because of the bad weather forecast for the duration of the match. Which of course did not fully materialize.

Datchworth 61 Harpenden 69
On Sunday afternoon we travelled to play Harpenden in a Friendly and returned home following a 61 shot to 69 loss. Rachel Jones, Ken Ryder and Skip Steve Arnold shared the ends equally but edged their game by 17 shots to 13. Jack Harper, Ian Green and Skip Derek Henley led comfortably at halfway 14-1. But they lost their way after that, only winning three more ends, and as a result their winning margin was reduced to 19-13. Dickie Jackson, Julian Hales and Skip Graham Akers picked up six shots on the sixth end, to lead 12-7. They paid for that though as they lost the following seven ends, and compounded that run of losing ends by dropping a six themselves, to trail 12-20. They then won all but one of the closing five ends to lose by 18 shots to 21. Janet Akers, John Oliver and Skip Richard Harper led 6-2 after five ends but then went on a disastrous run of twelve losing ends, to go into the final end 6-22 down. They picked up one shot on that end to lose by 7 shots to 22.
R.Jones, K.Ryder & S.Arnold beat R.Preace, C.Linfield & D.Roberts 17-13; J.Harper, I.Green & D.Henley beat N.Roberts, E.Roberts & J.McEvoy 19-13;D.Jackson, J.Hales & G.Akers lost to A.Favell, J.Dill & J.Blissett 18-21; J.Akers, J.Oliver & R.Harper lost to B.Gilbert, L.Roberts & J.Favell 7-22.

Website Report for week ending 29th August 2021.

Datchworth Green v B.S.P.
This match was postponed, to be re-arranged before the end of the season.

Datchworth 35 Whitethorn 60
Whitethorn were the visitors to the Turkey Farm for a Mixed Friendly on Tuesday afternoon and returned home after beating us by 60 shots to 35. Jack and Richard Harper and Skip Ann Edwards dropped five shots on the first end and a four on the fourth end, to trail 2-10. They never recovered from there and lost by 11 shots to 25. Rachel Jones, Graham Akers and Skip Maurice Gordon led 8-4 after seven ends but then lost the next ten ends, to trail 8-18. They did win the final end, but still lost by 10 shots to 18. Despite sharing the ends equally Janet Akers, Burt Edwards and Skip Ian Williams still lost by 14 shots to 17.
J.Harper, R.Harper & A.Edwards lost to B.Boughton, P.Clayton & T.Fuller 11-25; R.Jones, G.Akers & M.Gordon lost to S.Gowlett, V.Eames & T.Grantham 10-18; J.Akers, B.Edwards & I.Williams lost to L.Morely, C.Morely & T.Pinchin 14-17.

There were two matches on our Turkey Farm green on Thursday night as our Gold team played their final East Herts Bowls League Div. 2 match of the season against our near neighbours from Aston; needing 4 points to avoid relegation. Our Green team were also at home, playing their penultimate Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League Div. 1 match of the season against Welwyn Wanderers.

Datchworth Gold 42 Aston 34
Our Gold team did what they had to do and won by 42 shots to 34 against the team currently sitting second in the Division. Dickie Jackson, John Oliver and Skip Steve Chamberlain could do nothing right for the first twelve ends and trailed 4-24 as a result. Something clicked after that as they won all but one of the remaining six ends, to cut their losing deficit to 14-25. By contrast Ian Green, Phil Berry and Skip Ian Williams could do no wrong as they only lost four ends on their way to a commanding 28-9 win; helped in good measure by picking up six shots on the penultimate end.
D.Jackson, J.Oliver & S.Chamberlain lost to S.Mahoney, P.Naylor & T.Phipps 14-25; I Green, P.Berry & I.Williams beat E.O’Hanlon, M.Allington & D.Smith 28-9.

Datchworth Green 45 Welwyn Wanderers 31
Our Green team won 45-31. Rachel Jones, Neil Mean and Skip Derek Henley tied the first end then lost the end-count 7-10. Thanks to picking up eight shots on the penultimate end they went into the final end 20-15 up. They dropped one shot on that end to win by 20 shots to 16. George Campbell, Graham Akers and Skip Les Parsley picked up six shots on the first end and remained in front all the way to winning by 25 shots to 15.
R.Jones, N.Mean & D.Henley beat S.Bassett, R.Beasley & S.Grimmant 20-16; G.Campbell, G.Akers & L.Parsley beat D.Ellis, C.Russell & R.Russell 25-15.

Datchworth 40 Stevenage Town 58
On Friday night we travelled to Stevenage to play them in a Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League match, and on a somewhat tricky green came away after a 40 shots to 58 defeat. Barbara Williams, Burt Edwards and Skip Richard Harper won just two of the first eight ends and trailed 2-10. They shared the remaining ten ends equally but lost 12-19. Rachel Jones, Ian Williams and Skip Les Parsley only won one of the first nine ends and trailed 4-13. They won the tenth end, changed the Jack length and won five ends in a row, to lead 18-13. They then lost the remaining four ends to lose by 18 shots to 19. Jack Harper, Ann Edwards and Skip Steve Arnold did not fare much better as they lost the end-count 7-11 and went down 10-20.
B.Williams, B.Edwards & R.Harper lost to N.Cox, B.House & J.Winters 12-19; R.Jones, I.Williams & L.Parsley lost to R.Wolstencroft, S.Winters & R.Gasson 18-19; J.Harper, A.Edwards & S.Arnold lost to D.Cox, T.House & P.Wilkinson 10-20.

This weekend was our Final’s Weekend. There were a number of players involved in up to four Finals over the weekend. It started on Saturday morning when two Finals were played; both being interrupted by rain showers, twice, which were not forecast. In the Open Fours’ Final Rachel Jones, Rob Hazeu, Steve Chamberlain and Skip Steve Arnold picked up eight shots over the first two end. They were never caught after that and beat Chris Hills, Stuart Hay, Ian Green and Skip Peter Hills by 26 shots to 16. Next up was the Arnold Memorial Trophy Final, with John Oliver was up against Ian Williams. Ian Williams led for twelve ends, before being caught, at 11 apiece on the thirteenth. From there it was nip and tuck until John Oliver ran out the winner by 21-17, thirteen ends later. In the afternoon four Finals were played. It started with the Two Wood Final with Steve Arnold up against Derek Henley. But he could do nothing to stop Derek Henley running away with a 19 shot to 4 win. In the 4-3-2-1 Final Rob Hazeu took an early lead against Les Parsley. But he was caught at 40 points apiece after eight ends. Les Parsley then took the lead and held onto it until he ran out the winner by 94 points to 76. The Mixed Pairs Final was next to start with Chris and Peter Hills up against Janet and Graham Akers. They won twice as many ends as the Akers and won by 20 shots to 11. In the Mixed Triples Final Stuart Hay, George Campbell and Skip Mike Mahoney led 12-4 after eight ends, against Rachel Jones, Ken Ryder and Skip Derek Henley. Then they won only three more ends and eventually lost by 15 shots to 20. Sunday morning saw three more Finals being played. In the Handicap Singles Final Steve Arnold could not stop Ian Green from winning by 22 shots to 13, after Ian Green had an eight shot start in the handicap ratings. In the Yardstick Final it took two extra ends to find a winner. Derek Henley with 40 shots finally got the better of Mike Mahoney with 38 shots, after Rob Hazeu had to withdraw after the twenty first end, on 24 shots. In the Ladies Pairs Final Janet Akers and Chris Hills won the first three ends and held onto that lead for all but two ends as they edged a tight game by 16 shots to 15 against Jenny Holzbauer and Rachel Jones. The first of the three afternoon Finals saw George Campbell and Steve Chamberlain up against Ian Williams and Mike Mahoney in the Men’s Pairs Final. They led 7-5 after seven ends, then they lost the next six ends, to trail 7-14. They only won two more ends and lost by 10 shots to 25. In the Ladies Single Final Barbara Williams only won five ends as Chris Hill won by 22 shots to 8. In the Men’s Singles Final it was battle resumed between Steve Arnold and Derek Henley. He led 9-2 after nine ends, but lost the next six ends, to trail 10-9. He won the next two ends, to lead 15-10, but lost the next nine ends to lose by 22 shots to 15.

Website Report for week ending 5th September 2021.

Only three matches played this week prior to the Club’s departure for our Tour to Eastbourne on Sunday.

Datchworth 51 W.G.C. 69
Welwyn Garden City were the visitors to our Turkey Farm green on Tuesday afternoon and beat us by 69 shots to 51. Jim Whittle, Ian Green and Skip Graham Akers won just two of the first seven ands and trailed 2-7 as a result. They never recovered from that start and lost by 12 shots to 20 after dropping five shots on the final end. John Ellis, Janet Akers and Skip Neil Mean won three of the first eight ends to trail 4-8. They too never recovered and lost by 10 shots to 18. Sue Ellis, Ian Tyler and Skip Richard Harper dropped a six on the first end, but fought well to get to just 8-9 down after nine ends. Then they lost the next four ends, to trail8-16. They did win three of the closing five ends but still lost by 12 shots to 19. Datchworth’s only winning triple was that of Linda Tyler, John Oliver and Skip Derek Henley. They won the first four ends, to lead 6-0, and never looked back, winning by 17 shots to 12.
J.Whittle, I.Green & G.Akers lost to J.Wright, R.Buchta & R.Edwards 12-20; J.Ellis, J.Akers & N.Mean lost to C.Royall, R.Collins & T.Stickland 10-18; S.Ellis, I.Tyler & R.Harper lost to I.Cocksedge, A.Budge & J.Worman 12-19; L.Tyler, J.Oliver & D.Henley beat S.Hill, K.Chamberlain & C.Avery 17-12.

Datchworth Green 32 B.S.P. 22
On Wednesday night our Green team played their re-arranged final Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League Div. 1 match of their season at home to B.S.P. and beat them by 32 shots to 22. Chris Hills, Graham Akers and Skip Les Parsley lost just five ends as they ran out winners by 19 shots to 9. The other Triple of Robin Gray, Neil Mean and Skip Jim Smith won one of the first four ends to trail 1-4. They then won the next four ends to lead 9-4. They were still ahead, 13-9 with three ends to play. But they lost all three and were pegged back to all square at 13 shots apiece.
C.Hills, G.Akers & L.Parsley beat P.James, B.Reeves & G.Smith 19-9; R.Gray, N.Mean & J.Smith drew with P.Matthews, B.Clark & D.Miller 13 all.

Datchworth 64 Cheshunt 76
On Saturday afternoon we travelled to play Cheshunt in a Mixed Friendly and came away following a 64 shot to 76 defeat. Phil Holzbauer, Julian Hales and Skip Les Parsley took the lead 4-1 on third end and held onto it until they dropped a four on the fourteenth end, to trail 11-12. They then won three of the closing four ends to win by 16 shots to 13. Jenny Holzbauer, George Campbell and Skip Derek Henly led 11-1 after six ends then won just two more ends to lose by 14 shots to 24. Dickie Jackson, Annette Hutchinson and Skip Richard Harper won twice as many ends than they lost and picked up nearly twice as many shots than they dropped, in their 24 shots to 13 win. Richard Hutchinson, Ian Green and Skip Steve Chamberlain lost the first four ends, to trail 0-5. They won the next four ends, to lead 6-5, but then won just three more ends as they crashed to a 10 shots to 26 defeat, after dropping six shots on the final end.
P.Holzbauer, J.Hales & L.Parsley beat R.Hills, B.Whitebread & J.Sanders 16-13; J.Holzbauer, G.Campbell & D.Henley lost to B.Munro, B.Alexander & R.Godley 14-24; D.Jackson, A.Hutchinson & R.Harper beat J.Thorogood, I.Alexander & P.Keable 24-13; R.Hutchinson, I.Green & S.Chamberlain lost to D.Rolland, V.Ellis-Spence & E.Thorogood 10-26.

Website Report for week ending 12th September 2021.

It was the week of our annual tour this week. We left late on Sunday morning and travelled to Eastbourne where we played four matches before returning on Friday. All our matches, apart from the one on Wednesday afternoon were 7 Mixed Triples. Wednesday afternoon’s match was changed to 5 Mixed Rinks once we were in Eastbourne.

Datchworth 132 Gullivers 109
Our first match on Monday afternoon was against Gulliver in Bexhill. In 2011 we played on their indoor rink when our scheduled match against another club was cancelled because of rain. So, it was good to be able to play them outdoors and we beat them by 132 shots to 109, over the seven Mixed Triples played. Maureen Blunt, Graham Akers and Skip Steve Arnold had a close game for eleven ends, as they led 8-5. But they picked up six shots on the twelfth end and lost just two more ends as they ran out winners by 19 shots to 8. Phil Holzbauer, Ian Green and Skip Ann Edwards also had a close game; this time for fifteen ends, when they were tied at 12 apiece. But they lost the final three ends and lost by 12 shots to 20. Linda Tyler, Jim Russell, who had to be replaced by Derek Henley early in the game, and Skip Richard Harper lost the first end then won the next eight ends, to lead 16-1. They held on to their lead and won by 23 shots to 12. Barbara Williams, Dickie Jackson and Skip Ian Williams lost just six ends as they won by 24 shots to 14. Janet Akers, Burt Edwards and Skip Peter Hills had the closest game of all as they drew 17 shots apiece. Our other losing Triple was that of Ian Tyler, Sandra Greenhall and Skip Julian Hales. They led 13-9 after eleven ends then lost the remaining seven ends to lose by 13 shots to 26. Pauline Whybrow, Chris Hills and Skip Ken Greenhall led from the off, but were pegged back to 7 apiece after seven ends. They then went on and won all but four of the remaining eleven ends, to win by 24 shots to 12.
M.Blunt, G.Akers & S.Arnold beat S.Creasey, R.Creasey & P.Catt 19-8; P.Holzbauer, I.Green & A.Edwards lost to G.Garey, B.Dean & M.Blissett 12-20; L.Tyler, J.Russell (D.Henley) & R.Harper beat J.Creasey, O.Dean & P.Slater 23-12; B.Williams, D.Jackson & I.Williams beat B.Barnett, G.Parker & K.Bray 24-14; J.Akers, B.Edwards & P.Hills drew with M.Connelly, F.Camoron & J.Clark 17 all; I.Tyler, S.Greenhall & J.Hales lost to M.Kitts, S.Balchin & P.Balchin 13-26; P.Whybrow, C.Hills & K.Greenhall beat R.Cole, C.Trendge & J.Roberts 24-12.

Datchworth 87 Royal Sovereign 113
Our match on Tuesday afternoon was against Royal Sovereign, on the outskirts of Eastbourne, where we were beaten by 113 shots to 87. Barbara Williams, Ian Green and Skip Peter hills had a topsy-turvy game. They led 4-0 after three ends, they trailed 4-11 after nine ends, they led 11-8 after fourteen ends, before losing by 11 shots to 16 four ends later. Maureen Blunt, Burt Edwards and Skip Derek Henley won the end-count 10-8 but lost their game by 12 shots to 14. Dickie Jackson, Janet Akers and Skip Steve Arnold were 9-10 down with five ends to play. They won all five to win by 19 shots to 10. Pauline Whybrow, Sandra Greenhall and Skip Richard Harper could only win four ends as they crashed to a 4 shots to 27 defeat. Sue Ellis, Ann Edwards and Skip Julian Hales shared the ends equally and the score, as they drew 13 shots apiece. Sue Kiernan, Ian Williams and Skip Ken Greenhall dropped a five on the sixth end, to trail 3-8, and never got back in the hunt; eventually going down by 13 shots to 19. John Ellis, Graham Akers and Skip Chris Hills led from the off, but were caught at 9 apiece after twelve ends. They led again, and were caught again, at 11 apiece after fifteen ends. They took the lead again and held onto it, to win by 15 shots to 12.
B.Williams, I.Green & P.Hills lost to J.Bradley, F.Roberts & D.Robinson 11-16; M.Blunt, B.Edwards & D.Henley lost to G.Smith, J.Williams & P.Litchfield 12-14; D.Jackson, J.Akers & S.Arnold beat I.Edkins, A.Thumwood & C.Hales 19-10; P.Whybrow, S.Greenhall & R.Harper lost to D.Green, P.Wilson & P.Green 4-27; S.Ellis, A.Edwards & J.Hales drew with G.Mills, M.Hudson & D.Mumford 13 all; S.Kiernan, I.Williams & K.Greenhall lost to S.Stretton, D.Week & G.Selvey 13-19; J.Ellis, G.Akers & C.Hills beat C.Essey, L.Carthew & D.Baxter 15-12.

Datchworth 81 Peacehaven and Telscombe 85
This match at Peacehaven was changed to 5 Mixed Rinks once we had arrived in Eastbourne. Although Dickie Jackson, Sue Ellis, Julian Hales and Skip Ken Greenhall only won two more ends than they lost picking up two fives and three threes along the way helped them to win by 26 shots to 10. Barbara Williams, John Ellis, Maureen Blunt and Skip Peter Hills trailed 2-12 after eight ends, before they went on to win all but two of their remaining ends to cut their deficit down to 12-17. Sue Kiernan, Ian Tyler, Ian Williams and Skip Chris Hills were just 5-7 adrift after eight ends. But hey won only three more ends and lost by 9 shots to 27. Phil Holzbauer, Linda Tyler, Sandra Greenhall and Skip Derek Henley won the first five ends, to lead 8-0, and never looked back as they ran out winners by 24 shots to 15. Jenny Holzbauer, Pauline Whybrow, Ian green and Skip Steve Arnold were doing OK after ten ends, as they led 9-6. They then lost all but the final end as they lost by 10 shots to 16.
D.Jackson, S.Ellis, J.Hales & K.Greenhall beat S.Wells, F.Leach, S.Lewelyn-Powell & P.Woodward 26-10; B.Williams, J.Ellis, M.Blunt & P.Hills lost to L.ost, T.Whenmouth, M.Gill & R.Elworthy 12-17; S.Kiernan, I.Tyler, I.Williams & C.Hills lost to J.White, P.Herman, E.Glennon & M.Armstrong 9-27; P.Holzbauer, L.Tyler, S.Greenhall & D.Henley beat J.Neal, D.Ost, R.Lewelyn-Powell & G.Close 24-15; J.Holzbauer, P.Whybrow, I.Green & S.Arnold lost to D.Cowling, T.Giles (A.Wallace), R.Shannon & S.Lander 10-16.

Datchworth 102 Parade 107
After an evening of torrential rain and thunder storms we were still able to play the afternoon match at Parade, just a few minutes down the road from our hotel. Ian Tyler, Dickie Jackson and Skip Ann Edwards had two runs of losing ends, a run of five early on, and later a run of four, including dropping a six. This all contributed to them losing by 10 shots to 22. Pauline Whybrow, Burt Edwards and Skip Ken Greenhall were 11-1 up after seven ends. But they then only won a further two ends and eventually lost by 13 shots to 17. John Ellis, Barbara Williams and Skip Derek Henley had a close game throughout and drew it 12 apiece. Sue Elis, Sandra Greenhall and Skip Graham Akers won the first four ends and were never caught; winning by 16 shots to 8. Jenny Holzbauer, Julian Hales and Skip Steve Arnold were too good for their opposition, much to the annoyance of their Skip, as they romped home by 28 shots to 4. Sue Kiernan, who had to be replaced by Maureen Blunt very early in the game, Phil Holzbauer and Skip Richard Harper lost the first four ends, to trail 0-5, and never got back in the hunt, losing by 12 shots to 24. Linda Tyler, Janet Akers and Skip Ian Williams were just 6-7 adrift after eight ends, but they then only won four of the remaining ten ends and lost by 11 shots to 20.
I.Tyler, D.Jackson & A.Edwards lost to S.Phillips, M.Cavie & R.Cavie 10-22; P.Whybrow, B.Edwards & K.Greenhall lost to V.Cosham, G.Pearson & J.Phillips 13-17; J.Ellis, B.Williams & D.Henley drew with J.Ivins, A.Sully & M.Harrison 12 all; S.Ellis, S.Greenhall & G.Akers beat P.Laker, T.French & A.Forte 16-8; J.Holzbauer, J.Hales & S.Arnold beat K.Baldwin, P.Hensman & J.Savin 28-4; S.Kiernan (M.Blunt), P.Holzbauer & R.Harper lost to J.Hooks, C.Sibley & R.Denyer 12-24; L.Tyler, J.Akers & I.Williams lost to M.Garner, J.Frodsham & T.Walters 11-20.

Datchworth Green 45 Knebworth Yellow 25
On Saturday morning our Green team played Knebworth Yellow in the Final of Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League’s Jubilee Cup at W.G.C’s Digswell Park green, and beat them by 45 shots to 25. Rachel Jones, Andrew Phillips, Mike Mahoney and Skip Les Parsley won 20-12 against a Rink Skipped by John Matthews. George Campbell, Graham Akers, Rob Hazeu and Skip Derek Henley won 25-13 against a Rink Skipped by Graham Stevens.

Datchworth 69 Holwell 39
On Saturday afternoon Holwell were the visitors to our Turkey Farm green for a Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League match and were beaten by 69 shots to 39. Pauline Whybrow, Ken Ryder and Skip Peter Hills were trailing 12-17 with five ends to play. They won all five ends to come from behind and win by 20 shots to 17. Maureen Blunt, Dickie Jackson and Skip Neal Mean trailed 4-11 after eight ends then went on to win all but two of the remaining ten ends, including picking up seven shots on the final end, to also come from behind and win, by 23 shots to 13. Jenny Holzbauer, Richard Harper and Skip Steve Arnold had a close game for ten ends, when they led by 8-5. They picked up a five on the eleventh end and a six on the sixteenth end to help them on their way to 26 shots to 9 win.
P.Whybrow, K.Ryder & P.Hills beat M.Wilson, D.Johnson & D.Griffiths 20-17; M.Blunt, D.Jackson & N.Mean beat G.Curtis, M.Griffiths & M.Barfoot 23-13; J.Holzbauer, R.Harper & S.Arnold beat S.Curtis, A.Wilson & D.Hooper 26-9.

Website Report for week ending 19th September 2021.

Datchworth 54 Knebworth 31
The penultimate week of bowling for us started on Monday afternoon when Knebworth made the short trip to our Turkey Farm green for our penultimate Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League match and were beaten by 54 shots to 31. Janet Akers, Steve Chamberlain and Skip Les Parsley only lost five ends as they ran out winners by 24 shots to 7. Chris Hills, Ian Green and Skip Peter Hills lost seven ends as they won by 18 shots to 10. Linda Tyler, Graham Akers and Skip Steve Arnold led 5-1 after five ends, but then went on a run of seven losing ends, to trail 5-10 after twelve ends. They then won half of the remaining six ends to cut their losing deficit to 12-14.
J.Akers, S.Chamberlain & L.Parsley beat M.Striffe, R.Hand & J.Matthews 24-7; C.Hills, I.Green & P.Hills beat K.Overman, D.Percival & P.Veale 18-10; L.Tyler, G.Akers & S.Arnold lost to K.Davis, G.Reed & D.Berry 12-14.

Datchworth v Co-Op Luton
Our visit to Co-Op Luton was yet another of this season’s casualties of the rain, when it was called off in the morning.

Datchworth 59 Northaw and Cuffley 69
On Wednesday afternoon Northaw and Cuffley were the second visitors to our Turkey Farm green this week, for a Mixed Friendly, which they won by 69 shots to 59. Jenny Holzbauer, Neil Mean and Skip Richard Harper lost the first six ends, to trail 0-13. Despite sharing the remaining twelve ends equally they still went down by 8 shots to 32, after dropping sixteen shots over the closing four ends. Although Janet Akers, Ian Williams and Skip John Oliver shared the ends equally, they lost narrowly 13-15. Richard Hutchinson, Phil Berry, Ian Green and Skip Steve Arnold also shared the ends equally, but thanks to picking up a five early on and a couple of threes late on, they won by 20 shots to 11. Jack Harper, Annette Hutchinson, Graham Akers and Skip Les Parsley won the first four ends, to lead 5-0. They never lost that that lead and went on to win by 18 shots to 11.
J.Holzbauer, N.Mean & R.Harper lost to J.Munt, J.Rooke & J.Dowler 8-32; J.Akers, I.Williams & J.Oliver lost to M.Pett, R.Brewer & L.Curtis 13-15; R.Hutchinson, P.Berry, I.Green & S.Arnold bear A.Lucas, M.Manzi & B.Rooke 20-11; J.Harper, A.Hutchinson, G.Akers & L.Parsley beat D.Wilkinson, P.Holzbauer, R.Munt & C.Cody 18-11.

Datchworth 46 Three Horseshoes 53
Our last Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League match of the season was played on Friday afternoon when Three Horseshoes were the visitors for a re-arranged match, and they returned home after winning by 53 shots to 46. Although Janet Akers, Mike Mahoney and Skip Steve Arnold lost the end-count 8-10, they restricted their opponents to nine singles, while they picked up multiple shots on five of their winning ends, enabling them to win by 16 shots to 13. Phil Holzbauer, Chris Hills and Skip Derek Henley shared the end-count equally but dropped a six and a couple of fours, as they lost by 16 shots to 21. Jenny Holzbauer, Neil Mean and Skip Les Parsley won the end-count 10-8. But they dropped a five on the first end and eventually drew level at 9 apiece after ten ends and despite sharing the final eight ends equally they lost by 14 shots to 19.
J.Akers, M.Mahoney & S.Arnold beat S.Cole, G.Waugh & C.Cole 16-13; P.Holzbauer, C.Hills & D.Henley lost to A.Waugh, C.Cooper & P.Dale 16-21; J.Holzbauer, N.Mean & L.Parsley lost to M.Cooper, M.Dunne & B.Maynard 14-19.

Datchworth 77 Hertford 110
For the first time this season all six Rinks were used at our Turkey Farm green on Saturday afternoon, when Hertford were the visitors for a Mixed Friendly match, which ended in a 77 shot to 110 defeat for us. Jenny Holzbauer, Linda Tyler, Ann Edwards and Skip Richard Harper only won two of the first eleven ends, to trail 2-17. They then managed to win all but one of the closing ends and lost by 12 shots to 19. Jack Harper, Chris Hills and Skip Derek Henley shared the ends equally and edged their game 16-14 after picking up three shots on the final end. Maureen Blunt, Burt Edwards and Skip Peter Hills only won five ends as they crashed to a 10 shot to 28 defeat. Janet Akers, Ian Tyler, Ian Green and Skip Steve Chamberlain trailed 2-11 after six ends. They shared the remaining ends equally and kept their losing deficit down to nine shots, as they lost by 11 shots to 20. Barbara Williams, Richard Hutchinson, Ian Williams and Skip Graham Akers were level for the third time at 11 apiece after thirteen ends. They then won the closing four ends to win by 17 shots to 12. Annette Hutchinson, Phil Holzbauer, Maurice Gordon and Skip Steve Arnold had a close game for twelve ends, when they trailed by 10 shots to 11. They then lost all but the final end to lose by 11 shots to 17.
J.Holzbauer, L.Tyler, A.Edwards & R.Harper lost to D.Wild, H.Sage, S.Ellis & A.Smith 12-19; J.Harper, C.Hills & D.Henley beat S.Lloyd, A.Barrett & A.Hudson 16-14; M.Blunt, B.Edwards & P.Hills lost to M.Toynton, J.Sapsed & M.Rowe 10-28; J.Akers, I.Tyler, I.Green & S.Chamberlain lost to T.Sage, M.Stockwell, E.Smith & J.Smith 11-20; B.Williams, R.Hutchinson, I.Williams & G.Akers beat B.Millington, S.Sage, T.Rowe & C.Sage 17-12; A.Hutchinson, P.Holzbauer, M.Gordon & S.Arnold lost to J.Currier, J.Gayler, D.Nearly & B.Worsley 11-17.

Datchworth v Allenburys
This match on Sunday afternoon did not go ahead as Allenburys could not field a team.

Website Report for week ending 26th September 2021.

Datchworth 84 Shephalbury 51
The last week of bowling for us started with a trip to Shephalbury on Monday afternoon, for a Mixed Friendly. Which we came away from following an 84 shot to 51 win. Although Jenny Holzbauer, Graham Akers and Skip Derek Henley won just four more ends than they lost, they picked up a four, a five and a six on their way to winning by 27 shots to 12. Phil Holzbauer, Janet Akers and Skip Neil Mean were 9-13 down with five ends to play. They managed to win all of them, and picked up a five on the last end to come from behind and win by 19 shots to 13. Maureen Blunt, Ian Williams and Skip Richard Harper had a somewhat nip and tuck game. After picking up two shots on the sixteenth end, they took the lead, 17-15, for the third time. But they lost the final two ends and were pegged back to 17 apiece. Jack Harper, Barbara Williams and Skip Steve Arnold picked up six shots on the fourth end, to lead 7-4. They then lost just four more ends, and ran out winners by 21 shots to 9.
J.Holzbauer, G.Akers & D.Henley beat P.Moore, S.Parsloe & T.Roullier 27-12; P.Holzbauer, J.Akers & N.Mean beat H.Gault, T.Sheffield & A.Brown 19-13; M.Blunt, I.Williams & R.Harper drew with M.Stokes, I.Blagden & J.Delevet 17 all; J.Harper, B.Williams & S.Arnold beat C.Desborough, J.Chennells & M.Coy 21-9.

Datchworth 120 Sele Farm 99
For just the second time this season all of our six rinks were used on Tuesday afternoon for the visit of Sele Farm. We won by 120 shots to 99. Ken Ryder, Chris Hills and Skip Derek Henley won the first three ends and were never headed as they ran out winners by 22 shots to 10. Linda Tyler, Dickie Jackson and Skip Les Parsley picked up seven shots on the eighth end, to extend their lead to 15-7. They were never headed after that and ran out winners by 24 shots to 17. Sue Ellis, Maurice Gordon and Skip Steve Arnold had a game of two halves. They lost the first six ends and trailed 0-8 as a result. They were still 2-11 down after nine ends. But their fortunes changed dramatically after that as they only lost one more end and came from behind to win by 20 shots to 12. John Ellis, Ian Green and Skip Steve Chamberlain only won five ends as they crashed to a 10 shot to 25 defeat. Maureen Blunt, Mike Mahoney and Skip Peter Hills also had a game of two halves. They lost the first half 7-12. But won the second half 17-4, to win by 24 shots 16. Rachel Jones, Ian Tyler and Skip Neil Mean lost the end-count 8-10, but edged the game by one shot, 20-19.
K.Ryder, C.Hills & D.Henley beat A.Tate, J.Martin & J.Jones 22-10; L.Tyler, D.Jackson & L.Parsley beat H.Felstead, J.Parsley & D.Pratt 24-17; S.Ellis, M.Gordon & S.Arnold beat I.Bosward, B.Pegg & J.Parsley 20-12; J.Ellis, I.Green & S.Chamberlain lost to B.Kirby, J.Lake & N.Lonergan 10-25; M.Blunt, M.Mahoney & P.Hills beat B.Turner, D.Lacey & J.Dunne 24-16; R.Jones, I.Tyler & N.Mean beat M.Sell, S.Kelley & D.Lee 20-19.

Datchworth 64 Luton West End 63
Our penultimate match of the season was a home Mixed Friendly against Luton West End, which we sneaked home by 64 shots to 63. Pauline Whybrow, Derek Henley and Skip Rob Hazeu built up a healthy 20 shots to 5 lead after twelve ends. But they lost all but the final two ends and their winning margin was cut to 23-15. Jack Harper, Ann Edwards and Skip Ken Ryder only won five ends as they lost by 6 shots to 17. Janet Akers, George Campbell and Skip Richard Harper shared the ends equally and thanks to picking up six shots with two ends to play, they won by 22 shots to 16. Maureen Blunt, Burt Edwards and Skip Graham Akers trialled 0-4 after two ends and fought back to 8 apiece after eleven ends. They then only won two of the remaining seven ends, to lose by 13 shots to 15.
P.Whybrow, D.Henley & R.Hazeu beat I.Keightley, L.Guinnares & B.Fisher 23-15; J.Harper, A.Edwards & K.Ryder lost to J.Jones, I.Ainsworth & L.Wolsenholme 6-17; J.Akers, G.Campbell & R.Harper beat M.Mapley, P.Jirsens & L.Berry 22-16; M.Blunt, B.Edwards & G.Akers lost to P.Maina, M.Ainsworth & R.Dodds 13-15.

Datchworth 40 Bengeo 53
Our final match of the season was another home match, against Bengeo, which they won by 53 shots to 40. Pauline Whybrow, Ian Tyler and Skip Steve Arnold lost twice as many ends than they won and lost twice as many shots than they won, in their 11 shots to 22 defeat. Maureen Blunt, Dickie Jackson and Skip Maurice Gordon lost the first five ends and never got back in the hunt; losing by 11 shots to 15. Our only winning rink was that of Linda Tyler, John Oliver and Skip Derek Henley. They won two more ends than they lost and won by two shots, 18-16.
P.Whybrow, I.Tyler & S.Arnold lost to A.Moyle, E.Mahon & B.Grimmett 11-22; M.Blunt, D.Jackson & M.Gordon lost to R.Grimmett, M.Whyley & B.Ward 11-15; L.Tyler, J.Oliver & D.Henley beat J.Arch, M.Saggers & J.Whyley 18-16.

 

 

 

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