...Match Reports...

Website Report for week ending 20th April 2025.

President’s team 103 Captain’s team 85
We started our 2025 season with our President v Captain match on Saturday afternoon and, with a mixture of Triples and Rinks, it was our President’s team that came out on top by 103 shots to 85. Our President’s own Triple of Jenny Holzbauer, Chris Hills and President, Peter Hills led 5-1 after four ends, before being caught at 7 shots apiece after nine ends. They then outscored our Captain’s Triple of Sue Ellis, Alan Wybrow and Captain, Steve Arnold over the second half to beat them by 17 shots to 11. Our President’s highest winning team was the Triple of Jean and Alan Curtis and Skip Jim Smith who won the first five ends, to lead 17-0, before going on to beat our Captain’s Triple of Alfie Williams, Maurice Gordon and Skip Keith Smith by 30 shots to 6. Our Captain’s highest winning team was the Rink of Barbara Williams, Ian Tyler, David Castle and Skip George Campbell, who won twice as many ends as they lost as they beat Nicki Berry, Ruby and Daniel Williams and Skip Les Parsley by 25 shots to 7.
J.Holzbauer, C.Hills & P.Hills beat S.Ellis, A.Wybrow & S.Arnold 17-11; M.Usher, P.Holzbauer, A.Edwards & R.Harper lost to P.Whybrow, J.Whittle, J.Hales & G.Akers 8-24; S.Hemmings, J.Harper, P.Berry & S.Chamberlain beat J.Ellis, M.Blunt, I.Green & D.Henley 21-7; N.Berry, R.Williams, D.Williams & L.Parsley lost to B.Williams, I.Tyler, D.Castle & G.Campbell 7-25; G.Parsley, R.Brewster & R.Hazeu beat J.Smith, I.Williams & C.Martindill 20-12; J.Curtis, A.Curtis & J.Smith beat A.Williams, M.Gordon & K.Smith 30-6.

Website Report for week ending 27th April 2025.

Our first full weekend of bowling involved two Friendly matches. The first, was at home against Rosehill from Hoddesdon, on Saturday afternoon. The second was at Windsor against The Royal Household Bowling Club, on Sunday afternoon.

Datchworth 51 Rosehill 57
In a closely contested match we lost narrowly against Rosehill by 51 shots to 57. We won two Triples, drew one and lost won. Our highest winning Triple was that of John Ellis, Roger Tomlinson and Club Captain Steve Arnold; who beat the Triple Skipped by Rosehill’s Captain Janet Day by 18 shots to 14. Alfie Williams, Ann Edwards and Skip Ian Williams lost the first four ends to trail 0-10. They never recovered from there and eventually lost 8-21. Maureen Blunt, Andy Pattle and Skip Ian green recovered from 9-11 down, with four ends to play, to come out on top by 14-11. Barbara Williams, Alan Wybrow and Skip Daniel Williams took the lead from the start and held on to it until they dropped two shots with two ends to play, and were pegged back to all square at 10 shots apiece. The final two ends were shared equally and they ended up drawing 11 shots apiece.
A.Williams, A.Edwards & I.Williams lost to M.Fry, L.Roberts & P.Shemilt 8-21; J.Ellis, R.Tomlinson & S.Arnold beat B.Fitzgerald, N.Elms & J.Day 18-14; M.Blunt, A.Pattle & I.Green beat G.Bowtell, D.Kanton & T.Day 14-11; B.Williams, A.Wybrow & D.Williams drew with A.Fitzgerald, C.Long & R.Morris 11 all.

Datchworth 67 The Royal Household Bowling Club 107
On Sunday afternoon, after a morning visit to Windsor, we travelled the short distance to The Royal Household Bowling Club’s green, for an afternoon of bowling. With so many of our players wanting to play in this match, ten of them shared half a game each, changing over after nine of the eighteen ends played. We lost this one by a much greater margin, 67 shots to 107. We only had one winning Rink, out of the six played. It was that Skipped by our President, Peter Hills. With his Rink of Janet Akers (who shared the game with Mike Usher), Phil Holzbauer (who shared the game with Maureen Blunt) and Ian Williams, they had a tight game, with just one shot being scored on fourteen out of the eighteen played. But they did enough to win by 14 shots to 9. 12 seemed to be a favourite number of shots for our other Rinks to pick up. Rachel Jones (who shared the game with Jean Curtis), Celia Gordon, Ian green and Skip Steve Chamberlain lost 12-20. Jenny Holzbauer (who shared the game with Howard Carrick), Ann Edwards, Keith Smith and Skip Graham Akers lost 12-21. Jan Smith, Debra freeman, Alan Curtis and Skip Steve Arnold lost 12-19. Alfie Williams, Chris Hills, Richard Harper and Skip Les Parsley lost 12-21. Our sixth Rink of Barbara Williams, David Stock (who shared the game with John Gordon), Dickie Jackson and Skip Julian Hales only managed to pick up 5 shots as they lost by 5 shots to 17.
R.Jones (J.Curtis), C.Gordon, I.Green & S.Chamberlain lost to P.Wood, S.Bradshaw, A.Simmons & T.Dynan 12-20; J.Holzbauer (H.Carrick), A.Edwards, K.Smith & G.Akers lost to T.Green, S.Godsmark, C.Gifford & M.Leyton-Smith 12-21; J.Smith, D.Freeman, A.Curtis & S.Arnold lost to S.Pretorius, D.Charleston, S.Wooley & S.Carson 12-19; A.Williams, C.Hills, R.Harper & L.Parsley lost to N.Cranfield, H.Frankl, L.Wood & F.Overman 12-21; J.Akers (M.Usher), P.Holzbauer (M.Blunt), I.Williams & P.Hills beat P.Carson, P.Overman, S.Fullilove & M.Stanley 14-9; B.Williams, D.Stock (J.Gordon), D.Jackson & J.Hales lost to P.Greenwood, S.Prior, N.Stewart & A.Speller 5-17.

Website Report for week ending 4th May 2025.

Datchworth 50 Potters Bar 95
Our first match of the week was away to Potters Bar on Thursday afternoon and it ended in a 50 shot to 95 defeat. We won just one of the five Rinks played; that was the Rink of Linda Tyler, John Gordon, Alan Curtis and Skip Richard Harper. Their game was tight all the way through as the scores were level for the fourth time, at 9 shots apiece, with two ends to play. They won those two ends, picking up four shots to win by 13 shots to 9. We drew one Rink, that of Sue Ellis, Jim Shine (a Potters Bar member who replaced a late withdrawal of one of our players), Julian Hales and Skip Steve Arnold. They lost the first three ends, then won seven of the next nine ends, to lead 12-6. They dropped seven shots with two ends to play, to trail 12-15. They won those closing two ends to draw level at 15 shots apiece. Celia Gordon, Jean Curtis, Terry Metcalf and Skip George Campbell were crushed 7-32. Jan Smith, John Ellis, Chris Hills and Skip Rob Hazeu lost 9-18. Lucy Williams, Mike Usher, David Castle and Skip Peter Hills lost 6-21.
C.Gordon, J.Curtis, T.Metcalf & G.Campbell lost to S.Powers, J.Cardow, P.Rodgers & C.Malone 7-32; L.Tyler, J.Gordon, A.Curtis & R.Harper beat F.Bradley, M.Steed, J.Nicholls & M.Eccleshall 13-9; S.Ellis, J.Shine, J.Hales & S.Arnold drew with W.Sell, C.Nicholls, G.Marshall & S.Jewell 15 all; J.Smith, J.Ellis, C.Hills & R.Hazeu lost to R.McCaig, A.Wood, J.Scott & J.Southwell 9-18; L.Williams, M.Usher, D.Castle & P.Hills lost to W.Pugh, M.Teale, P.Stevens & D.Jewell 6-21.

Datchworth 45 Howard Garden 64
On Sunday afternoon we played our first Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League match of the season, at our Turkey Farm green, against Howard Garden and lost by 45 shots to 64. Jean Curtis, Richard Harper, Julian Hales and Skip Rob Hazeu lost six out of the first eleven ends, and trailed 6-16 as a result of dropping a four and a six. After playing their penultimate end, they trailed 7-26. But they managed to pick up a five on the final end to cut their losing deficit down to 12-26. Sue Ellis, Alan Curtis, Terry Metcalf and Skip Steve Chamberlain won just three of the first eleven ends and trailed 5-17 as a consequence. They then won four of the closing five ends to lose by 10 shots to 23. Our only winning Rink was that of John Ellis, Ann Edwards, Steve Arnold and Skip Derek Henley. They won three of the first seven ends to trail 5-9. They then won six of the next seven ends, to lead 23-10. But they lost the closing four ends and won by 23 shots to 25.
J.Curtis, R.Harper, J.Hales & R.Hazeu lost to P.Donalson, A.Bell, T.Wood & S.Abery 12-26; S.Ellis, A.Curtis, T.Metcalf & S.Chamberlain lost to S.Abery, K.Graham, D.Weemys & P.Billson 10-23; J.Ellis, A.Edwards, S.Arnold & D.Henley beat J.Roberson, J.Richardson, M.Abery & G.Liddle 23-15.

Website Report for week ending 11th May 2025.

Datchworth 63 Aston 34
The first of six matches this week for us started when we played Aston in a Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League match on Tuesday night at our Turkey Farm green and beat them by 63 shots to 34. Maureen Blunt, Chris Hills, Keith Smith and Skip Les Parsley lost just four ends as they ran up a 23 shots to 7 win. Jan Smith, Daniel Williams, Richard Brewster and Skip Steve Arnold built up a healthy 22 shots to 4 lead with three ends to play. They lost those three ends to win by 22 shots to 11. Lucy Williams, Alfie Williams, George Campbell and Skip Peter Hills had a much different game. They lost the first two ends, were 1-10 down after five ends and they remained behind until they picked up two shots on the penultimate end, to draw level at 16 shots apiece. They then picked up another two shots on the final end, to lead for the first time and win by 18 shots to 16.
M.Blunt, C.Hills, K.Smith & L.Parsley beat M.Beahan, J.Warner, M.Chambers & D.Smith 23-7; J.Smith, D.Williams, R.Brewster & S.Arnold beat N.Jenkins, J.Buck, L.Smith & S.Mahoney 22-11; L.Williams, A.Williams, G.Campbell beat K.O’Hanlon, T.Phipps, J.Morgan & E.O’Hanlon 18-16.

Datchworth 43 Stevenage Veterans 56
On Wednesday afternoon we played Stevenage Veterans in a Mixed Friendly at our Turkey Farm green and were beaten by 56 shots to 43. Debra Freeman, sharing the game with Richard Hutchinson, Maurice Gordon and Skip Keith Smith won the first two ends and remained in front until they won by 22 shots to 14. Mike Usher, Pauline Whybrow and Skip Richard Harper won just five ends and they were beaten by 26 shots to 8. David Stock, sharing the game with Annette Hutchinson, Jan Smith and Skip Ian Williams shared the end-count equally and lost their game narrowly by 14 shots to 16.
D.Freeman (R.Hutchinson), M.Gordon & K.Smith beat B.Pissot, R.Mona & D.Naggle 22-14; M.Usher, P.Whybrow & R.Harper lost to A.Bruce, T.Bates & P.Jefferey 8-26; D.Stock (A.Hutchinson), J.Smith & I.Williams lost to P.Smith, P.Sparrow & D.Penfound 14-16.

Datchworth Blue 43 Sele Farm 21
On Wednesday night our Blue team travelled to Hertford’s Hartham to play Sele Farm in an East Herts Bowls League Division 1 match and beat them by 43 shots to 21. Dickie Jackson, Les Parsley and Skip Jim Smith won the first six ends, to lead 12-0. They then lost seven of the remaining twelve ends, but held on to win by 18 shots to 8. Graham Akers, Clyde Martindill and Skip Peter Hills won ten of the first twelve ends to lead comfortably by 24 shots to 3. They then only won one more end as they won by 25 shots to 13.
D.Jackson, L.Parsley & J.Smith beat O.Mitchell, P.Ottley & P.Dougherty 18-8; G.Akers, C.Martindill & P.Hills beat J.Lake, M.Jones & H.Wright 25-13.

Datchworth 89 Northaw and Cuffley 54
On Friday afternoon we travelled to play Northaw and Cuffley in a Mixed Friendly and beat them by 89 shots to 54. Jean Curtis, Graham Akers and Skip Derek Henley shared the eighteen ends equally, but thanks to picking up multiple three and four shots, they ran out winners by 27 shots to 13. Janet Akers, Terry Metcalf and Skip Steve Arnold led 14-11 with four ends to play, but they lost those four ends and the game by 17 shots to 14. Jenny Holzbauer, Alan Curtis and Skip Les Parsley lost just four ends as they ran out winners by 34 shots to 6. Maureen Blunt, Phil Holzbauer and Skip Rob Hazeu also shared the end-count equally but were edged out by 18 shots to 14.
J.Curtis, G.Akers & D.Henley beat D.Pett, H.Hall & R.Brewer 27-13; J.Akers, T.Metcalf & S.Arnold lost to C.Brewer, P.Ryde & J.Rooke 14-17; J.Holzbauer, A.Curtis & L.Parsley beat J.Williams, H.Porter & J.Clarke 34-6; M.Blunt, P.Holzbauer & R.Hazeu lost to S.Williams, M.Pett & M.Phillips 14-18.

Datchworth 57 Shephalbury 55
On Saturday afternoon we travelled the short distance down Broadhall Way to play Shephalbury in a Mixed Friendly and, after loaning them two of our own players to make up their numbers, we narrowly beat them by 57 shots to 55 after a close encounter. Phil Holzbauer, Ann Edwards and Skip Derek Henley won the first five ends, to lead 9-0. After that they held onto their lead despite losing eight of the remaining eleven ends to win by 15 shots to 8. Anna Pattle, David Castle and Skip Steve Arnold won two more ends that they lost as they edged their game by 19 shots to 16. That was after, on the final end, Skip Steve Arnold converted a one shot down situation, with a Shephalbury wood almost touching the Jack, to a two shot advantage after he hit the Jack with his final wood, and moved to a position where they held two shots. Jenny Holzbauer, Alan Curtis and Skip Maurice Gordon won four more ends than they lost, but after dropping a couple of fours along the way, while picking up multiple single shots, they lost by 14 shots to 16. Jean Curtis, Andy Pattle and Skip Richard Harper were level for the fifth time, after eleven ends, at 7 shots apiece. After that they only won one end and eventually lost by 9 shots to 15.
P.Holzbauer, A.Edwards & D.Henley beat J.Akers, T.Sheffield & J.Daily 15-8; A.Pattle, D.Castle & S.Arnold beat M.Stokes, C.Howman & M.Coy 19-16; J.Holzbauer, A.Curtis & M.Gordon lost to G.Akers, S.Parsloe & B.Blackmore 14-16; J.Curtis, A.Pattle & R.Harper lost to N.Ballard, T.Chalkley & A.Brooks 9-15.

Datchworth 48 Baldock 69
We were on our travels again on Sunday afternoon when we travelled up the A1M to play Baldock in a Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League match and were beaten by 69 shots to 48. It was a game of two distinct halves for Maureen Blunt, Terry Metcalf, Steve Chamberlain and Skip Steve Arnold. At the break they trailed by one shot, 8-9. After the break they never won and end and were heavily beaten by 28 shots to 8. It was a different story for Janet Akers, Keith Smith, Richard Harper and Skip Derek Henley. Despite sharing the eighteen ends equally they lost by 18 shots to 25; thanks mainly to dropping three 5s. Our only winning Rink was that of Jan Smith, Dickie Jackson, Graham Akers and Skip Rob Hazeu. They built up a healthy 15-5 lead after eleven ends. They then lost the next four ends and were 15-16 down. They pulled themselves together and won the closing three ends to win by 22 shots to 16.
M.Blunt, T.Metcalf, S.Chamberlain & S.Arnold lost to J.Graham, S.King, J.Mutter & M.Parsons 8-28; J.Akers, K.Smith, R.Harper & D.Henley lost to B.Todd, D.Turner, K.Dear & P.Haskins 18-25; J.Smith, D.Jackson, G.Akers & R.Hazeu beat N.Graham, S.Dear, J.Turner & T.Godden 22-16.

Website Report for week ending 18th May 2025.

Another busy week of bowling for us should have started on Monday night when our Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League team turned up at Hertford’s Hartham green to play Sele Farm, but they failed to turn up due to an omission in their Fixture Card. So, our players returned home and claimed the game.

Our bowling therefore started on Tuesday night when both of our East Herts Bowls League teams were in action; our Blue Team were away to Buntingford Bears in a Division 1 match and our Gold Team were away to Hertingfordbury in a Division 2 match.

Datchworth Blue 25 Buntingford Bears 42
At Buntingford our Blue Team were beaten by 42 shots to 25. George Campbell, Steve Arnold and Skip Peter Hills found it hard to find their line and length and as a result they only won five ends and were beaten by 24 shots to 7. Les Parsley, Derek Henley and Skip Jim Smith had a much closer game. They won the first four ends to lead 8-0, then lost six of the following seven ends to trail by 10 shots to 13. They finished by winning all but two of the remaining seven ends to draw their game 18 shots apiece.
G.Campbell, S.Arnold & P.Hills lost to P.Warren, B.Bushell & T.Keeling 7-24; L.Parsley, D.Henley & J.Smith drew with A.Manning, R.Foster & R.Murphy 18 all.

Datchworth Gold 32 Hertingfordbury 35
On Hartham’s green our Gold Team also lost, by 32 shots to 35. Alfie Williams, Dave Castle and Skip Steve Chamberlain dropped five shots on the second end, to trail 0-6, and it was that difference that they could not catch as they lost by 20 shots to 14. Andy Pattle, Daniel Williams and Skip Keith Smith took the lead, 3-2, on the second end and held the lead until they were caught at 15 shots apiece on the penultimate end. They then picked up three shots on the final end to win by 18 shots to 15.
A.Williams, D.Castle & S.Chamberlain lost to J.Dunne, N.Lonergan & K.Hartfield 14-20; A.Pattle, D.Williams & K.Smith beat S.Kelley, C.Straker & K.Edmonds 18-15.

Datchworth 20 Hertford Wild Cards 42
On Thursday night our Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League team were in action, away to Hertford Wild Cards in a Division 2 match and were beaten by 42 shots to 20. Roger Tomlinson, Chris Hills and Skip Terry Metcalf were level for the fourth time at 9 apiece on the twelfth end, but they only won two more ends as they were beaten by 19 shots to 11. It was a much different game for Andy Pattle, Janet Akers and Skip Richard Harper as they only managed to win five ends as they were convincingly beaten by 23 shots to 9.
R.Tomlinson, C.Hills & T.Metcalf lost to B.Morrison, P.Gardener & T.Gardener 11-19; A.Pattle, J.Akers & R.Harper lost to A.Baker, J.Smith & D.Wild 9-23.

Datchworth 13 Shire Park Yellow 40
Our Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League team were in action again on Friday night, this time in the League’s John Brown Trophy with one Triple at home and one away against Shire Park Yellow. They lost the match by 40 shots to 13 overall. At our Turkey Farm green Anna Pattle, Terry Metcalf and Skip Steve Chamberlain only won six ends as they were beaten by 19 shots to 6. Things did not go any better at Shire Park’s Tewin green as Jan and Keith Smith and Skip Richard Harper could not cope with the green and only managed to win five ends as they were beaten by 21 shots to 7.
A.Pattle, T.Metcalf & S.Chamberlain lost to L.Draycott, D.Warner & B.Draycott 6-19; J.Smith, K.Smith & R.Harper lost to E.Wahlciso, R.Griges & G.Edwards 7-21.

Datchworth 58 Royston 51
Saturday afternoon saw the first of two Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League matches played at our Turkey Farm green when Royston were the visitors and were beaten by 58 shots to 51. Jan Smith, George Campbell, Derek Henley and Skip Les Parsley took the lead 5-4 on the sixth end and held on to it till the won by 19 shots to 11. Chris Hills, Ian Williams, Rob Hazeu and Skip Jim Smith were involved in a game of two halves. They led 12-5 after nine ends but the wheels fell off their waggon over the closing nine ends as they only won three ends and dropped multiple shots to lose by 16 shots to 24. Barbara Williams, Keith Smith, Steve Arnold and Skip Peter Hills had a bad start to their game as they trailed 0-9 after five ends. They then went on to win the next six ends to lead 17-9. The closing seven ends were shared 4-3 in their favour as they went on to win by 23 shots 16.
J.Smith, G.Campbell, D.Henley & L.Parsley beat R.Knight, S.Boules, P.Brazier & S.White 19-11; C.Hills, I.Williams, R.Hazeu & J.Smith lost to L.Powell, D.Ward, N.Woor & S.Kilford 16-24; B.Williams, K.Smith, S.Arnold & P.Hills beat S.Warner, S.Brazier, C.Stafford & J.Thompson 23-16.

Datchworth 49 Letchworth Garden City 52
On Sunday afternoon Letchworth Garden City were our visitors for the second Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League match of the weekend, and after a tight match they ended up winners by 52 shots to 49. Jan Smith, Dickie Jackson, Richard Harper and Skip Steve Arnold were in front for just the second end, but they were never more than four shots adrift until they lost the closing six ends to lose by 14 shots to 29. Sue Ellis, Alfie Williams, Daniel Williams and Skip Derek Henly took the lead on the third end, 4-1 and never looked back, eventually running out winners by 22 shots to 8. Lucy Williams, John Ellis, David Castle and Skip Steve Chamberlain came from 1-7 down after six ends to just 6-7 down after ten ends. They were all square twice after that, at 12 apiece after fifteen ends, and 13 apiece two ends later. That meant they went into the final end all square, but they dropped two shots to lose by 13 shots to 15.
J.Smith, D.Jackson, R.Harper & S.Arnold lost to J.Rogan, A.Sparkes, C.Ottaway & H.Castle 14-29; S.Ellis, A.Williams, D.Williams & D.Henley beat B.Rogan, T.Caldercoat, C.Ottaway & G.Rogers 22-8; L.Williams, J.Ellis, D.Castle & S.Chamberlain lost to S.Sinclair, D.Collier, N.Butler & T.Sinclair 13-15.

Website Report for week ending 25th May 2025.

There were two matches for our bowlers on Monday night, our Blue Team were in action away to Hertford Castle’s Castles team in an East Herts Bowls League Division 1 match and our Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League Team were away to Kimpton in a Division 2 match.

Datchworth Blue 36 Castles 25
At Hertford Castle’s Peg’s Lane green our Blue Team won by 36 shots to 25. Rob Hazeu, Jim Smith and Skip Peter Hills won twice as many ends than they lost and as a result they ran out winners by 22 shots to 10. Dickie Jackson, Steve Arnold and Skip Derek Henley had a much closer game as they shared the eighteen ends equally and despite winning the last four ends, they only managed to reduce their deficit from 10-15 down to 14-15.
R.Hazeu, J.Smith & P.Hills beat K.Letham, A.Gibbs & M.Howett 22-10; D.Jackson, S.Arnold & D.Henley lost to T.Peart, A.Beeson & M.Milne 14-15.

Datchworth 31 Kimpton 40
At Kimpton’s green the home team won by 40 shots to 31. Janet Akers, Chris Hills and Skip Richard Harper took an early 5-1 lead after four ends, but were caught at 7 shots apiece after eight ends. The scores were level for the third time at 11 shots apiece after fourteen ends. After which they won three of the closing four ends to win by 16 shots to 14. Despite sharing the eighteen ends equally Maureen Blunt, Ann Edwards and Skip Julian Hales lost 15-26 thanks mainly to dropping two sixes along the way.
J.Akers, C.Hills & R.Harper beat D.Moor, N.Burns & D.Truscott 16-14; M.Blunt, A.Edwards & J.Hales lost to D.Desborough, M.Saunders & G.Durrant 15-26.

Datchworth 50 Co-Op Luton 77
On Tuesday afternoon Co-Op Luton were the visitors to the Turkey Farm green for a Mixed Friendly and they beat their hosts by 77 shots to 50. Pauline Whybrow, Phil Berry and Skip Alan Wybrow lost twice as many ends than they won in their 7 shots to 19 defeat. It was the reverse for David Stock and Debra Freeman, who shared their game, Alan Curtis and Skip Graham Akers as they won twice as many ends than they lost in their 22 shots to 14 win. Jim Whittle, Janet Akers and Skip Richard Harper lost the first four ends, to trail 0-6, and they never got back in the hunt, losing by 11 shots to 20. It was a close game for the first fourteen ends for Jean Curtis, Maureen Blunt and Skip Julian Hales when the scores were level at 10 shots apiece. But they then lost the closing four ends to lose by 10 shots to 24.
P.Whybrow, P.Berry & A.Wybrow lost to K.Brooks, M.Howarth & M.Brooks 7-19; D.Stock (D.Freeman), A.Curtis & G.Akers beat R.Hough, M.Vick & M.Vardy 22-14; J.Whittle, J.Akers & R.Harper lost to A.Clifford, T.Phillips & M.Webb 11-20; J.Curtis, M.Blunt & J.Hales lost to A.Grace, P.Hart & M.Hubbocks 10-24.

Datchworth 30 Parkside Woods 33
There was a close encounter of the bowls kind on Wednesday night at W.G.C’s K.G.V green when our Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League team took on Parkside Woods in a match that ended in a 33 shot to 30 home win. Jan Smith, Daniel Williams and Skip Ian Green went from 3 shots apiece after four ends, to 10 shots to 3 down after ten ends. They fought back to lead 14-13 with one end to play, only to drop a shot on that end, to draw their game 14 shots apiece. Alfie Williams, Lucy Williams and Skip Keith Smith lost the first four ends, to trail 0-7. They too fought back to cut that deficit to 13-11 after twelve ends and to lead 16-15 after sixteen ends. They then lost the closing two ends to lose by 16 shots to 19.
J.Smith, D.Williams & I.Green drew with I.Warner, V.Hockley & B.Christianson 14 all; A.Williams, L.Williams & K.Smith lost to T.Wilkinson, E.Burke & L.Clarke 16-19.

Datchworth Gold 23 W.G.C. Tigers 40
On Thursday night our Gold team travelled to W.G.C’s Digswell Park’s green to play W.G.C. Tigers in an East Herts Bowls League Division 2 match and were beaten by 40 shots to 23. Alan Curtis, Julian Hales and Skip Steve Chamberlain were involved in a close game for ten ends when they were just 8-11 down. After that they only won three of the remaining eight ends to lose by 13 shots to 21. It was a similar story for Phil Holzbauer, Daniel Williams and Skip Richard Harper. They 8-9 down after eleven ends and then only won one of the remaining seven ends as they too were beaten, by 19 shots to 10.
A.Curtis, J.Hales & S.Chamberlain lost to D.Reed, G.Frost & A.Bradford 13-21; P.Holzbauer, D.Williams & R.Harper lost to I.Stone, T.Stuart & R.West 10-19.

Datchworth 48 Welwyn Wanderers 23
On Friday night our Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League team were in action again; this time they played Welwyn Wanderers in the League’s Jubilee Cup, with one Rink at home and one away they won by 48 shots to 25. At our Turkey Farm green Barbara Williams, Janet Akers, Ian Williams and Skip Steve Chamberlain had a close game for the first eleven ends when they were just 11-10 ahead. They then lost just two of the remaining ends as they ran out winners by 23 shots to 12. At Welwyn’s Ottway Walk green Maureen Blunt, Jan Smith, Keith Smith and Skip Terry Metcalf won the first five ends, to lead 7-0. They never lost the lead after that and eventually ran out winners by 25 shots to 13.
B.Williams, J.Akers, I.Williams & S.Chamberlain beat A.Beattie, S.Bassett, N.Clarke & A.Beattie 23-12; M.Blunt, J.Smith, K.Smith & T.Metcalf beat C.Moore, B.Bennett, S.Grimmant & P.Bowyer 25-13.

Datchworth 48 Harperbury 65
On Sunday afternoon we travelled just over the M25 to play Harperbury in a Mixed Friendly and were beaten by 65 shots to 48. Ann Edwards, Julian Hales and Skip Rob Hazeu had a close game. They lost the lead on the third end and remained behind until they picked up five shots on the tenth end, to lead 8-7. They extended their lead to 15-9 with three ends to play. They lost those three ends but held on to win by 15 shots to 13. Barbara Williams, Alan Curtis and Skip Steve Arnold had an awful game, they could not find their line or length and only managed to win four ends as they crashed to a 26 shots to 4 loss. Maureen Blunt, Ian Williams and Skip Derek Henley took the lead on the seventh end and held onto it till the end, winning by 15 shots to 11. Jean Curtis, Ian Green and Skip Clyde Martindill had the closest game of the four played. Their scores were level five times. The fifth being when they dropped a shot on the penultimate end to be pegged back to 14 shots apiece. They dropped another shot on the final end to lose by 14 shots to 15.
A.Edwards, J.Hales & R.Hazeu beat A.Wilsher, R.Brown & J.Taylor 15-13; B.Williams, A.Curtis & S.Arnold lost to S.Eames, G.Neville & J.Alsop 4-26; M.Blunt, I.Williams & D.Henley beat M.McGarrigle, T.Plummer & N.Crosby 15-11; J.Curtis, I.Green & C.Martindill lost to F.Marstin, L.Anderson & D.Leggatt 14-15.

Website Report for week ending 1st June 2025.

There was a Triple Header to start the week of bowling for our bowlers at our Turkey Farm green on quite a miserable rainy Tuesday night with both of our East Herts Bowls League teams and our Women’s County League team in action.

Datchworth Blue 28 Hertford 34
Our Blue team were up against Hertford in a Division 1 match and were beaten by 34 shots to 28. Graham Akers, Steve Arnold and Skip Derek Henley dropped five shots on the third end, to trail 1-6. They remained behind for the rest of their game until they picked up three shots on the final end to turn a 13 shot to 15 deficit into a 16 shot to 15 win. Despite sharing the eighteen ends equally, Dickie Jackson, Rob Hazeu and Skip Jim Smith lost by 12 shots to 19, as they only picked up single shots on all but one of the ends they won, while dropping multiple shots on all but two of the ends they lost.
G.Akers, S.Arnold & D.Henley beat C.Sage, M.Toynton & V.Greenberg 16-15; D.Jackson, R.Hazeu & J.Smith lost to S.Lloyd, M.Rowe & G.Warrender 12-19.

Datchworth Gold 24 Buntingford Buffaloes 39
Our Gold team were up against Buntingford Buffaloes in a Division 2 match and were beaten by 39 shots to 24. Ian Green, Keith Smith and Skip Terry Metcalf lost the lead on the second end, drew level on the ninth end and lost it again on the tenth end. They then remained behind until they lost by 15 shots to 19. Phil Holzbauer, Ian Williams and Skip Steve Chamberlain’s game followed a similar path as they lost the lead on the fourth end, drew level on the ninth end and lost it again on the tenth end. They then remained behind until they lost by 9 shots to 20.
I.Green, K.Smith & T.Metcalf lost to G.Higgins, I.Hopper & R.Penton 15-19; P.Holzbauer, I.Williams & S.Chamberlain lost to T.Hutchinson, M.Zolnierowicz & D.Baxter 9-20.

Datchworth Women 15 Buntingford 2 Women 9
Our Women were up against Buntingford 2 in their first Women’s County League match of the season and beat them by 15 shots to 9. They won the first seven ends, to lead 9-0. They held onto that lead to win by 15 shots to 9 despite losing the closing four ends.
J.Smith, J.Akers, J.Holzbauer & C.Hills beat S.Batchelor, E.Cunningham, C.Greaves & H.Penton 15-9.

Datchworth 45 North Herts 58
On Wednesday afternoon we travelled for the first of three visits this week to Letchworth to play North Herts at their Norton Common green, in a Mixed Friendly, and were beaten by 58 shots to 45. Mike Usher, Sue Ellis and Skip Graham Akers led 10-6 at the tea-break. After the break they lost all but the last end and as a result they lost by 12 shots to 19. Jim Whittle, Ian Bartlett and Skip Terry Metcalf led 7-6 at the tea-break but won just two ends after the break to duplicate the same 12-19 loss. John Ellis, Ann Edwards and Skip Phil Holzbauer were involved in close encounter. The scores were level at 10 all at the tea-break. They then trailed 12-20 five ends after the break before they won the closing four ends to snatch a 21 shot to 20 win after picking up one shot on the final end.
M.Usher, S.Ellis & G.Akers lost to B.Gilder, J.Atkinson & J.Tebbutt 12-19; J.Whittle, I.Bartlett & T.Metcalf lost to B.Higgs, C.Tory & P.Riseborough 12-19; J.Ellis, A.Edwards & P.Holzbauer beat S.Douglas, D.Gilder & A.Denniss 21-20.

Datchworth Gold v Whit Hern Red
This match, on Thursday night, was postponed, with the agreement of the Whit Hern team, due to the late withdrawal of one of our Gold team’s only available six players, and will be re-arranged for later in the season.

Datchworth 42 Whitethorn 57
On Saturday afternoon our bowlers were back in Letchworth, this time to play Whitethorn in a Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League match and were beaten by 57 shots to 42. Sue Ellis, Phil Holzbauer, Keith Smith and Skip Graham Akers were level for the third time, at 9 shots apiece after eleven ends. After that they only managed to win two ends as they lost by 11 shots to 19. Jan Smith, John Ellis, David Castle and Skip Steve Arnold lost five ends in a row, to go from 3-1 up after three ends, to 3-13 down after eight ends. They then shared the remaining ten ends equally as the lost by 11 shots to 20. Datchworth’s only winning Rink was that of Janet Akers, Ann Edwards, Chris Hills and Skip Rob Hazeu. They trailed from the third end till they picked up 5 shots on the thirteenth end, to lead 14-13. They then won two of the closing five ends, picking up 4 shots on the final end to come from 16-18 down to win by 20 shots to 18.
S.Ellis, P.Holzbauer, K.Smith & G.Akers lost to J.Shepherd, P.Newsted, C.Conley & S.Worsley 11-19; J.Smith, J.Ellis, D.Castle & S.Arnold lost to J.Snape, J.Davies, B.Snape & C.Morley 11-20;J.Akers, A.Edwards, C.Hills & R.Hazeu beat R.Devine, L.Morley, D.Nicholls & T.Pinchin 20-18.

Datchworth 37 Howard Garden 57
Our third visit of the week to Letchworth on Sunday afternoon did not end well for us as we lost by 37 shots to 48 to Howard Garden in our second Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League match of the weekend. Maureen Blunt, Terry Metcalf, George Campbell and Skip Steve Chamberlain shared the ends equally and they went into the final all square at 14 shots apiece. They dropped a shot on the final end to lose by 14 shots to 15. Jan Smith, Richard Harper, Ian Williams and Skip Steve Arnold were 0-7 down after just three ends. They then fought back to 7-8 down after eleven ends, after shortening the Jack length. But after losing the twelfth end, the home team lengthened the Jack length and stretched their lead to 17-7, before winning the game by 20 shots to 9. Barbara Williams, Alan Curtis, Keith Smith and Skip Jim Smith went 8-0 down after five ends. They then won the next seven ends, to lead 10-8. They then lost four of the remaining ends but held on to win by 14 shots to 13.
M.Blunt, T.Metcalf, G.Campbell & S.Chamberlain beat M.Carrod, M.Bell, D.Weemys & P.Billson 14-15; J.Smith, R.Harper, I.Williams & S.Arnold lost to A.Abery, S.Jordon, J.Carrod & T.Wood 9-20; B.Williams, A.Curtis, K.Smith & J.Smith beat A.Bell, M.Abery, G.Liddle & I.Maxwell 14-13.

Website Report for week ending 8th June 2025.

Datchworth 42 Shire Park 52
On a somewhat miserable Tuesday afternoon Shire Park were the visitors to the Turkey Farm for a Mixed Friendly and in a shortened match they beat us by 52 shots to 42. There was never more than a shot between the sides in the game involving Debra Freeman, Alan Wybrow and Skip Richard Harper until they dropped two shots on the twelfth end to trail 8-11. Both sides then picked up two shots on the closing two ends resulting in a 10 shot to 13 loss for our team. Linda Tyler, Alan Curtis and Skip Clyde Martindill only won four ends as they lost heavily by 4 shots to 18. Jean Curtis, Terry Metcalf and Skip Maurice Gordon won the end-count 8-6 as they edged their game by 12 shots to 9. David Stock, David Castle and Skip Steve Arnold trailed 4-8 after eight ends before they won all but two of the closing six ends to come from behind to win by 16 shots to 12.
D.Freeman, A.Wybrow & R.Harper lost to C.Wright, A.Childs & B.Draycott 10-13; L.Tyler, A.Curtis & C.Martindill lost to C.Goode, B.Sinfield & G.Edwards 4-18; J.Curtis, T.Metcalf & M.Gordon beat .Watts, B.Kleiser & R.Kenway 12-9; D.Stock, D.Castle & S.Arnold beat R.Adams, B.Griffiths & L.Draycott 16-12.

Both of our East Herts Bowls League teams were in action on Wednesday night; our Division 1 Blue team were away to Potters Bar Glyders and our Division 2 Gold team were at home to Aston.

Datchworth Blue 34 Potters Bar Glyders 30
At Potters Bar our Blue team won by 34 shots to 30. Derek Henley, Jim Smith and Skip Les Parsley picked up three shots on the sixth end, to lead 5-3. It was a lead they only increased as they picked up a four and a five over the remaining ends to win by 19 shots to 9. Dickie Jackson, Steve Arnold and Skip Peter Hills led 6-0 after just two ends, but they found themselves 9-12 down after ten ends. They then won the next three ends to lead 14-12, but won just one more end, the last end, to lose by 15 shots to 21.
D.Henley, J.Smith & L.Parsley beat D.Arnold, B.Bowman & J.Southwell 19-9; D.Jackson, S.Arnold & P.Hills lost to D.Salmon, T.Sidi & B.Maule 15-21.

Datchworth Gold 35 Aston 48
At our Turkey Farm green our Gold team lost by 35 shots to 48. Alan Curtis, Julian Hales & Skip Terry Metcalf lead 4-0 after two ends and they led until they were caught at 9 shots apiece after eleven ends, lost the lead on the twelfth end before taking the lead again on the thirteenth. They then held onto the lead to win by 18 shots to 13. Andy Pattle, Ian Williams and Skip Keith Smith dropped a six on the first end and briefly took the lead 12-11 on the sixth end. They then collapsed, winning just two of the remaining twelve ends, to be heavily beaten by 35 shots to 17.
A.Curtis, J.Hales & T.Metcalf beat M.Jennings, J.Morgan & S.Mahoney 18-13; A.Pattle, I.Williams & K.Smith lost to E.O’Hanlon, M.Allington & D.Noble 17-35.

Datchworth 24 W.G.C. Crusaders 35
On Thursday night our Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League team travelled to W.G.C’s Digswell Park to play W.G.C’s Crusaders and were beaten by 35 shots to 24. Roger Tomlinson, Alan Curtis and Skip Ian Williams only lost four more ends than they won, but thanks to dropping several multiple shots they lost by 10 shots to 23. Jan Smith, Terry Metcalf and Skip Richard Harper trailed for all but one of the first fifteen ends before they drew level, at 12 shots apiece on the sixteenth end. They then won the closing two ends to edge the win by 14 shots to 12.
R.Tomlinson, A.Curtis & I.Williams lost to D.Jones, D.Read & C.Avery 10-23; J.Smith, T.Metcalf & R.Harper beat R.Hayden, E.Davies & P.Blurton 14-12.

Datchworth 54 Townsend 58
Friday afternoon saw Townsend visit the Turkey Farm for a Mixed Friendly and they returned home after a narrow 58 shots to 54 win. Linda Tyler, Ian Williams and Skip Clyde Martindill were 3-1 up after three ends, but then lost the next seven ends, to trail 3-11. They shared the remaining eight ends equally and lost by 8 shots to 17. Mike Usher, Maureen Blunt and Skip Graham Akers picked up five shots on the fifth end, to lead 9-1. They held onto their lead, although their lead was gradually reduced, until they ended up winning by the odd shot, 18-17. Barbara Williams, Richard Harper and Skip Steve Arnold had a nip and tuck game for fourteen ends, before they lost the closing four ends to lose by 11 shots to 14. Roger Tomlinson, Janet Akers and Skip Jim Smith won the first five ends, to lead 6-0. It was a lead they never lost as they ran out winners by 17 shots to 10.
L.Tyler, I.Williams & C.Martindill lost to R.Morgan, A.Alcock & L.Perkins 8-17; M.Usher, M.Blunt & G.Akers beat P.Hawkyard, B.Padget & T.Marriott 18-17; B.Williams, R.Harper & S.Arnold lost to R.Ransted, B.Lawrie & I.Forster 11-14; R.Tomlinson, J.Akers & J.Smith beat P.Waller, J.Metcalfe & G.Williamson 17-10.

Saturday’s home Mixed Friendly match, against Buntingford, was called off in the morning due to the predicted afternoon weather being that of heavy rain and thunder storms. Which, of course, never materialized. The only rain we had in Datchworth came late in the afternoon. Which, if we had played, would have come with only a couple of ends to play.

On Sunday we played our Club Open Fours competition, with two matches played in the morning session and two Semi Finals being played in the afternoon session. In the morning session Andy Pattle, Ruby Williams (the youngest of the Williams family playing in the competition), Rob Hazeu and Skip Steve Arnold beat Lucy Williams (Ruby and Alfie’s mother), David Castle, Daniel Williams (Ruby and Alfie’s father) and Skip Derek Henley 22-17 and Jan Smith, Richard Harper, Ian Williams (Daniel’s father) and Skip Les Parsley beat Maureen Blunt, Ann Edwards, Ian Bartlett and Skip Keith Smith 23-19. In the first Semi Final Jan Smith, Richard Harper, Ian Williams and Skip Les Parsley beat Linda Tyler, Alfie Williams (Ruby’s elder brother), Terry Metcalf and Skip Jim Smith (no relation to the other two Smiths) 22-16. In the second Semi Final Andy Pattle, Ruby Williams, Rob Hazeu and Skip Steve Arnold beat Barbara Williams (Daniel’s mother), Janet Akers, Steve Chamberlain and Skip Graham Akers 19-16. The two winning Semi Finalists now go on to play each other in the Club Finals over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday 23rd and 24th August.

Website Report for week ending 15th June 2025.

Datchworth 30 Hatfield 36
Another busy week of bowling for our bowlers started on Monday night when our Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League team travelled to play Hatfield in a Division 2 match and were beaten by 36 shots to 30. Janet Akers, Phil Holzbauer and Skip Keith Smith were level for the second time at 3 shots apiece after five ends. They then dropped two shots on the sixth end, to trail 3-5. They never regained the lead after that and after losing the closing five ends, they lost by 10 shots to 21. Rachel Jones, Ann Edwards and Skip Terry Metcalf lost the first two ends before winning the next two ends, to lead 6-5. They then lost the following three ends, to trail 6-10. They then won eight of the remaining eleven ends to win by 20 shots to 15.
J.Akers, P.Holzbauer & K.Smith lost to D.Nash, M.Purcell & A.Edwards 10-21; R.Jones, A.Edwards & T.Metcalf beat P.Bladd, G.Lees & T.Kingsury 20-15.

Datchworth 46 Hitchin Town 85
We travelled to Hitchin on Tuesday afternoon for a Mixed Friendly match and as we were one player short the match was made up of three Triples and one Pair. In the Pairs game Jenny Holzbauer and Terry Metcalf won the first four ends, to lead 4-1 and remained in front until they dropped two shots on the fourteenth end, to trail 11-12. They then won just one of the closing ends and lost by 12 shots to 17. Roger Tomlinson, Phil Holzbauer and Skip Chris Hills won the first end then lost the following eleven ends, to trail 1-19. They then won four of the closing six ends but still lost by 10 shots to 21. David Stock, Ann Edwards and Skip Graham Akers won just five ends as they lost by 14 shots to 31. Debra Freeman, Janet Akers and Skip Derek Henley dropped five shots on the third end, to trail 1-6, they never recovered from that as they lost by 10 shots to 16.
J.Holzbauer & T.Metcalf lost to T.Loosemore & K.Spendlow 12-17; R.Tomlinson, P.Holzbauer & C.Hills lost to D.Welch, G.Goulding & D.Hare 10-21; D.Stock, A.Edwards & G.Akers lost to M.Wells, S.Little & M.Prentice 14-31; D.Freeman, J.Akers & D.Henley lost to L.Martin, K.Loosemore & B.Young 10-16.

On Wednesday night our bowlers were involved in two matches; our East Herts Bowls League Division 1 Blue team travelled to Ware to take on their Maltsters team and our Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League Division 2 team took on W.G.C. Crusaders at our Turkey Farm green.

Datchworth Blue 33 Ware Maltsters 29
Dickie Jackson, Les Parsley and Skip Jim Smith won seven ends in a row from the fourth to the tenth end, to lead 16-5. Despite winning just three of the remaining five ends they held onto their lead to win by 19 shots to 13. Steve Arnold, Derek Henley and Skip Peter Hills came from 3-7 down after six ends to 11 shots apiece after thirteen ends. They then won just one of the closing five ends to lose by 16 shots to 14.
D.jackson, L.Parsley & J.Smith beat T.Allen, G.Conn & M.Dudley 19-13; S.Arnold, D.Henley & P.Hills lost to S.Emmett, B.Hammond & M.Judd 14-16.

Datchworth 25 W.G.C. Crusaders 36
At our Turkey Farm green our Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League team lost by 25 shots to 36. Phil Holzbauer, Chris Hills and Skip Terry Metcalf lead 8-1 after five ends before they won just four of the remaining thirteen ends to lose by 12 shots to 18. It was a similar score for Alfie Williams, Jan Smith and Skip Keith Smith shared the first fourteen ends equally and shared the scores equally at 13 shots apiece. They lost the remaining four ends to lose by 13 shots to 18.
P.Holzbauer, C.Hills & T.Metcalf lost to B.Stewart, C.Smith & E.Davies 12-18; A.Williams, J.Smith & K.Smith lost to B.Jones & D.Jones & K.Chamberlain 13-18.

Both of our matches on Thursday night were not played for various reasons. Our Gold team’s match, with agreement of their Cheshunt’s agreement, was postponed because of late withdrawal meant they could not field a full team and will be played later in the season. Our ladies North Herts Women’s Bowling Association’s match was cancelled as Riverain, their opponents, have withdrawn from the Association’s league matches due to lack of lady members.

Datchworth 78 Standon and Puckeridge 46
On Friday night we travelled to Standon and Puckeridge for a Mixed Friendly and won by 78 shots to 46. Jenny Holzbauer, Richard Brewster and Skip Graham Akers could do no wrong as they overwhelmed the home team triple by 31 shots to 5. Phil Holzbauer, Lucy Williams and Skip Les Parsley had a close game for eleven ends, when they led 9-8. After that they only won one more end as they lost by 11 shots to 17. Alfie Williams, Jan Smith and Skip Derek Henley were 5-11 down after ten ends. They fought back, winning all but three of the closing eight ends and lost by the odd shot 13-14. Anna Pattle, Keith Smith and Skip Steve Arnold were 7-9 down after eleven ends. They then picked up five shots on the twelfth end, to lead 12-9. They then won all but one of the remaining six ends to win by 23 shots to 10.
J.Holzbauer, R.Brewster & G.Akers beat H.Jones, G.Gomez & R.Blakes 31-5; P.Holzbauer, L.Williams & L.Parsley lost to J.Gomez, J.Hatherly & J.Swann 11-17; A.Williams, J.Smith & D.Henley lost to A.Edwards, P.Mumford & R.Granville 13-14; A.Pattle, K.Smith & S.Arnold beat J.Granville, T.Pointer & A.Mansfield 23-10.

Datchworth 38 St Ippolytts 52
On Saturday afternoon we travelled to St Ippolytts for a Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League match and were beaten by 52 shots to 38. Jenny Holzbauer, Anna Pattle, Richard Harper and Skip Les Parsley trailed for ten of the first thirteen ends before they took the lead 13-12 on the fourteenth end. They then only won one more end and lost by 15 shots to 18. Andy Pattle, Phil Holzbauer, Janet Akers and Skip Derek Henley only won four ends as they were beaten by 24 shots to 6. Linda Tyler, Jan Smith, Keith Smith and Skip Graham Akers won the first two ends then lost the following five ends, to trail 5-9. They then won all but two of the remaining eleven ends to come from behind to win by 17-13.
J.Holzbauer, A.Pattle, R.Harper & L.Parsley lost to L.Johnstone, B.Impey, P.Moodey & K.Bounsall 15-18; A.Pattle, P.Holzbauer, J.Akers & D.Henley lost to D. Howard, R.Orchard, I.Hanks & C.Fosky 6-24; L.Tyler, J.Smith, K.Smith & G.Akers beat J.Dudley, H.Southall, D.Southall & C.Childs 17-13.

Sunday afternoon’s Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League match away to Three Horseshoes was concede as we could not field a full team as it was Father’s Day.

Website Report for week ending 22nd June 2025.

Datchworth Men 1 point Buntingford Men 3 points
On Monday night our Men travelled to Buntingford to take their Men on in the County’s Team Ten competition and were beaten by 3 points to 1. In the Singles Keith Smith took on Ross Murphy. He took the lead on the third end and held onto that lead until he dropped four shots on the thirteenth end, to trail 10-13. He never regained the lead an eventually lost by 21 shots to 14. In the Pairs Graham Akers and Les Parsley were all square for the second time on the eighth end, at 8 shots apiece. They then picked up five shots on the next end and never lost it, as they won by 20 shots to 17. In the Triples Dickie Jackson, Derek Henley and Skip Jim Smith won just six ends in their 24 shots to 10 loss. It was worse for Mike Mahoney, Rob Hazeu, Steve Arnold and Skip Peter Hills as they won just five ends in their 33 shots to 8 defeat.
K.Smith lost to R.Murphy 14-21; G.Akers & L.Parsley beat B.Bushell & S.Wake 20-17; D.Jackson, D.Henley & J.Smith lost to M.Nyquist, T.Keeling & G.Warrender 10-24; M.Mahoney, R.Hazeu, S.Arnold & P.Hills lost to P.Joslyn, M.Zolnierowicz, M.Ball & M.Plume 8-33.

Datchworth 63 Letchworth Garden City 39
On Tuesday afternoon we travelled to play Letchworth Garden City, the current leaders of the Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League, on their Norton Common green and beat them on all three rinks in our 63 shots to 39 win. Chris Hills, Ann Edwards, Steve Chamberlain and Skip Derek Henley built up a healthy 9-3 lead after eight ends and held onto it till they won by 20 shots to 14. In the game involving Janet Akers, Howard Carrick, Graham Akers and Skip Steve Arnold the lead changed hands for the fourth time when they picked up four shots on the twelfth end, to lead 14-11. They then won all but one of the remaining six ends to win by 23 shots to 13. Anna Pattle, Phil Berry, terry Metcalf and Skip Peter Hills won the first three ends, to lead 4-0, it was a lead they never lost as they won by 20 shots to 12.
C.Hills, A.Edwards, S.Chamberlain & D.Henley beat R.Bryant, L.Bailey, C.Ottaway & G.Rodgers 20-14; J.Akers, H.Carrick, G.Akers & S.Arnold beat M.Barker, D.Collier, C.Ottaway & T.Sinclair 23-13; A.Pattle, P.Berry, T.Metcalf & P.Hills beat S.Sinclair, T.Glynn, P.Bailey & H.Castle 20-12.

Datchworth 47 Kimpton 54
On Wednesday afternoon we were on our travels again when we travelled to Kimpton for a Mixed Friendly and were beaten by 47 shots to 54. Debra Freeman, Janet Akers and Skip Ann Edwards only won five ends as they lost by 7 shots to 14. Jim Whittle, David Stock and Skip Graham Akers lost one more end than they won as they lost by one shot, 11-12. Annette Hutchinson, Richard Brewster and Skip Richard Harper dropped a six on the third end and try as they may they never recovered from that as they went on and lost by 13 shots to 18. Datchworth’s only winning Triple was that of Richard Hutchinson, Bob Bailey (A Kimpton member playing for Datchworth to make up their numbers) and Skip Steve Arnold They trailed from the start but got back to all square at 9 shots apiece after ten ends. They then went on to win all but one of the remaining ends to win by 16 shots to 10.
D.Freeman, J.Akers & A.Edwards lost to B.Edwards, L.Donovan & A.Brown 7-14; J.Whittle, D.Stock & G.Akers lost to B.Kazwini, J.Littlefield & M.Saunders 11-12; A.Hutchinson, R.Brewster & R.Harper lost to T.Cotton, G.Rumball & W.Phillips 13-18; R.Hutchinson, B.Bailey & S.Arnold beat C.Bailey, C.Saunders & A.Fitzjohn 16-10.
Datchworth 22 Bengeo 44
Our Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League team travelled to Bengeo for a Division 2 League match on Thursday night and were beaten by 22 shots to 44. Andy Pattle, Phil Berry and Skip Terry Metcalf were 6-4 ahead after seven ends but four ends later they were 6-15 down after dropping seven shots on the eleventh end. They remained behind from there until they lost by 9 shots to 18. Nicki Berry, Phil Holzbauer and Skip Ian Green Had a close game for the first twelve ends when the scores were all square at ten shots apiece. Things went downhill from here as they only won one more end and dropped sixteen shots to lose by 13 shots to 26.
A.Pattle, P.Berry & T.Metcalf lost to T.Barber, C.Storey & J.Glasscock 9-18; N.Berry, P.Holzbauer & I.Green lost to K.White, P.Glasscock & A.Brown 13-26.

Two of our matches on Friday night, the North Herts Women’s Bowling Association match away to St Ippolytts and the Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League Division 2 match at home to Parkside Woods, were postponed on Friday night due to the high temperatures and will be played later in the season. The only match to be played was our Blue team’s match against W.G.C. Lions in the East Herts Bowls League Division 1.

Datchworth Blue 14 W.G.C. Lions 53
This match ended in a heavy 14 shot to 53 defeat for our Blue team, as neither Triple could lay a hand on their opposition. Graham Akers, Derek Henley and Skip Peter Hills won six ends as they crashed to a 7 shot to 26 loss. Dickie Jackson, Les Parsley and Skip Jim Smith won just five ends as they too crashed to a 7 shot to 27 loss.
G.Akers, D.Henley & P.Hills lost to J.Gibbs, R.Avery & G.Walton 7-26; D.Jackson, L.Parsley & J.Smith lost to J.Molson, K.Chamberlain & N.Sharp 7-27.

On Saturday Datchworth’s Turkey Farm green was the venue for the County’s East Area Round of their Men’s 2 Wood Singles competition where Ross Murphy and Richard Foster, from Buntingford Bowls Club, and Kevin Tyrrell and Bob Cockman, from Sawbridgeworth Bowls Club won their way through to the County Last 16 Round to be played at Northaw and Cuffley on the 11th July.

On Sunday we played our Mixed Triples competition. We played the Quarter Finals in the morning and the Semi Finals in the afternoon. From these Chris Hills, Graham Akers and Skip Les Parsley, along with Jenny Holzbauer, Rob Hazeu and Skip Jim Smith won their way through to the Club Finals over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday 23rd and 24th August.

Website Report for week ending 29th June 2025.

Datchworth Blue 29 Rye Park Rangers 38
On Monday night Rye Park Rangers were the visitors to our Turkey Farm green for an East Herts Bowls League Division 2 match and the Blue team by 38 shots to 29. Dickie Jackson, Clyde Martindill and Skip Les Parsley won four of the first seven ends but trailed by the odd shot 5-6. They then won five of the closing seven ends, but they lost the intervening five ends which contributed to their 13 shots to 21 defeat. Rob Hazeu, Steve Arnold and Skip Jim Smith won the first four ends, to lead 8-2 and held that lead until the final end, when they dropped two shots to lose by 16 shots to 17.
D.Jackson, C.Martindill & L.Parsley lost to T.Pook, B.Metzner & A.Adkins 13-21; R.Hazeu, S.Arnold & J.Smith lost to T.Eldridge, C.Milner & M.Towers 16-17.

Datchworth 62 Hitchin Town 37
On Tuesday night we travelled to Hitchin’s Bancroft Park green to play them in Round 2 of the County’s Club Championship Knock Out competition and beat them by 62 shots to 37. Graham Akers, Alfie Williams, Steve Arnold and Skip Les Parsley won six ends in a row, from the eighth to the thirteenth end, to go from 7 shots apiece to 14-7 ahead. They then won all but two of the closing five ends to win by 19 shots to 12. Keith Smith, Rob Hazeu, Mike Mahoney and Skip Peter Hills only lost five ends as they won comfortably by 28 shots to 10. Dickie Jackson, Steve Chamberlain, Derek Henley and Skip Jim Smith had a topsy turvy game where the lead changed five times over the first thirteen ends and with three ends to play, they were 11-15 down. They won those three ends and drew their game by 15 shots apiece.
G.Akers, A.Williams, S.Arnold & L.Parsley beat L.Morris, K.Loosemore, S.Little & P.McKenzie 19-12; K.Smith, R.Hazeu, M.Mahoney & P.Hills beat T.Loosemore, B.Richards, R.Gardner & B.Joshua 28-10; D.Jackson, S.Chamberlain, D.Henley & J.Smith drew with G.Goulding, A.Hill, B.Young & M.Prentice 15 all.

Datchworth Gold 29 Welwyn Bucks 30
On Wednesday night Welwyn Bucks were the visitors to our Turkey Farm green for an East Herts Bowls League Division 2 match and beat the Gold team by the narrowest of margins, one shot, 30 shots to 29. Alan Wybrow, Julian Hales and Skip Steve Chamberlain won the first six ends to lead 11-0. After that the lost the remaining twelve ends 5-7, but they held on to their lead to win by 21 shots to 10. Alan Curtis, Keith Smith and Skip Terry Metcalf only won six ends as they lost by 8 shots to 20.
A.Wybrow, J.Hales & S.Chamberlain beat I.Cogger, D.Blakes & M.Reeves 21-10; A.Curtis, K.Smith & T.Metcalf lost to D.Humphreys, J.Brown & C.Read 8-20.

Datchworth 37 Jesters 31
Hertford Castle’s Jesters team were the visitors to our Turkey Farm green on Thursday night for a Division 2 Welwyn Hatfield Bowls League match and were beaten by 37 shots to 31. Rachel Jones, Jan Smith and Skip Terry Metcalf led 11-2 after six ends and 17-7 after thirteen ends. They then lost the closing five ends but held on to their lead to win by 17 shots to 15. Janet Akers, Julian Hales and Skip Chris Hills were 3-9 down after seven ends, 8-13 down after twelve ends and 12-16 down after fourteen ends. They then won the closing four ends to come from behind to win by 20 shots 16.
R.Jones, J.Smith & T.Metcalf beat J.Bracey, M.Clay & K.Leatham 17-15; J.Akers, J.Hales & C.Hills beat D.Crodon, A.Martin & J.Arber 20-16.

Datchworth 73 Stevenage Town 65
There was another Knock Out competition for our bowlers on Saturday afternoon when we took on Stevenage Town in the 1st Round of the Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League Knock Out competition; with two Mixed Triples at home and two away we beat them by 73 shots to 65. At our Turkey Farm green Janet Akers, Steve Arnold and Skip Peter Hills were 8-11 down after nine ends, then they fought back to win all but three of the closing nine ends to win by the odd shot 18-17. Chris Hills, Graham Akers and Skip Derek Henley picked up five shots on the fifth end, to lead 8-4. They never looked back after that winning all but four of the remaining thirteen ends to win by 24 shots to 10. At Stevenage Town’s Sish Lane green Pauline Whybrow, Alan Curtis and Skip Steve Chamberlain were level for the second time at eight shots apiece after eleven ends. They lost the next three ends, to go 8-15 down. Despite winning three of the final four ends, they lost by 13 shots to 18. Jean Curtis, Dickie Jackson and Skip Richard Harper dropped a seven on the third end, to go 1-9 down. They worked hard and got within one shot at 14-15 after fourteen ends. Although they shared the closing four ends equally, they still lost by 18 shots to 20.
J.Akers, S.Arnold & P.Hills beat L.Higgs, J.Reeves & D.Daintree 18-17; C.Hills, G.Akers & D.Henley beat P.Kent, T.Kent & S.Wilson 24-10; P.Whybrow, A.Curtis & S.Chamberlain lost to A.North, S.Winter & J.Winter 13-18; J.Curtis, D.Jackson & R.Harper lost to B.North, R.Gasson & K.Smith 18-20.

Datchworth v Royston
This Stevenage and District Mixed Bowls League match on Sunday afternoon was postponed due to the hot weather forecast. It will be played later in the season.