Allens Safari

Allen normally walks Lisa each evening and has started taking his camera with him after twice seeing a large snake.
Although he hasn't been able to see a snake on his recent walks he did come across a rather large lizard.

Not being able to get a really good view he went around the bush to get a better one.

Sister Julia in Kington, Herefordshire said that she hardly ever hears a cuckoo nowadays let alone sees one - so specially for her.

And just to prove that its not the same one twice.

More bowling but different

Allen was called in as a late replacement to our team for the Copa Comunidad (Community Cup) which is being played at La Marina.  This is a competition for teams of 5 and is played on a knockout basis but all members have to play 2 full games per day - not pleasant in temperatures of over 30C on the green.
This morning Allen & Mal Hughes played the pairs and won against Arthur Brown & Chris Collier of Horadada - yes that dreaded Horadada team again.  Sheila Cox, Mike Cox & Derrick Cooper played against Kath Reid, Barbara Brown & Guiseppe Galelli in the triples and also won.  After a break for lunch it was back onto the green for the afternoon session.
This time Allen played the singles and beat Chris Collier so San Luis were through irrespective of the result of the rinks match between Sheila Cox, Derrick Cooper, Mike Cox & Mal Hughes and Kath Reid, Arthur Brown, Barbara Brown & Guiseppe Galelli.  With San Luis through the rinks didn't complete their match which was 13-7 to Horadada at the conclusion.
Due to a late withdrawal they get a bye in the next round and play in the semi final on Sunday.
No photos today as Allen forgot his camera, but he will take it Sunday.

What some b******s will do

Last Sunday during the night persons unknown (but suspected) vandalised the bowling green at San Luis.  It is believed that this was directed at the clubs owner but it has big implications for the bowling club.  We now have to find alternate venues for matches for the foreseeable future.
Luckily, the committee at El Rancho have agreed to us using their green for a couple of our matches and Graham Bridges at Lemon Tree has given us free use of his green whenever it is available, allowing San Luis members to bowl for free.  It is this sort of generosity which brings the bowling fraternity together.
The disruption has meant that matches due to be played in the morning will have to be in the afternoon and in view of the circumstances we hope that the other clubs will accept these changes which are beyond our control.

We all have to hope that when we get a new carpet fitted that the culprits don't return and do the same as this would surely mean the end for San Luis Bowls Club.

So Near & Yet So Far

Well yesterday was finals day and Sheila & I were playing against Maggie Lawley & Yvonne Briden of Benitachell.

We had a disastrous start dropping 10 shots in the first four ends before we managed to start scoring.  In the end this was to be our downfall.  Over the last 14 ends it was pretty much honours even and although we fought back at one stage to be only 3 shots behind it was never to be our day.  On the next end we held four shots only for Yvonne to get shot with a tickle off a short bowl, but a 5 shot turn around.  A couple of ends later I had a similar shot but they were only holding 1 at the time so only a 2 shot turnaround.  On the 17th end we held 3 shots but Yvonne drew a 2nd and then with her final bowl turned our shot out to give them 2.  It left us needing 6 on the final end and a bridge too far.

It was a disappointing end to our pairs campaign but some days you have to accept that today isn't your day. In fighting back we showed our spirit, kept our heads up and never quit.  

At the presentation we discovered that the Ladies Pairs event was sponsored by Dales carpets and in view of the problems at San Luis I did tell John Muldoon that we would collect our free carpet later - don't think so!

Big thanks to all the San Luis members who came to support us in the final - sorry we couldn't go the final mile.  Also thanks to all the Southern Costa Blanca members who were cheering us on.  The cheers helped us as we tried to get back and were much appreciated.

Additional photos of Semi final

Sheila in action

What do we do now? 

My final bowl of the match.

We did it!!!!!

Exhausted but elated - ready for a drink.

A big thanks to Rod Wright for the additional photos - especially the action ones.

Valencians - another hot day

Another really hot day and at El Rancho the two remaining mens triples lost.  Mal Hughes team went down to Roy Cordell - Emerald Isle and Derrick Coopers team lost to the in form Russell Marks - San Miguel.

Over at Emerald Isle Sheila & I were playing the Ladies Pairs semi final against last years champions Shirley Verity & Sheila Cammack of Country Bowls.

We didn't get off to a good start and after 3 ends we were 5-0 down. Over the next 4 ends we pulled back to 5 all.  From then on it was honours even and after 16 ends the score was 13-13.  On the next end Shirley bowled 4 brilliant bowls but only held 1 shot thanks to a close bowl from Sheila.  Sheila Cammack bowled her first bowl and tucked the jack round to give them 4 shots.  With my first bowl I played a weighted wood and connected with the jack, moving it to our bowl - 1 shot up,  Sheila tried to draw with her remaining 3 bowls but was heavy with each and I managed to draw 2 into the head to give us 3 and 16-13 up playing the final end.  After the leads had bowled we were 2 shots down.  I managed to get us a shot bowl and then we just needed to stop them scoring 3 and having covered the back bowls they were left with only 1 option - kill the end.  Sheila bowled and missed and we had won.

Big thanks to Rod & Maxine Wright who were our only supporters other than Allen.  

The other semi final was being played on the next rink to us and was another close game with Maggie Lawley & Yvonne Briden of Benitachell just holding on to beat Bobbie Sims & Averil Toozer of Greenlands.

The final between us and Maggie & Yvonne will be played on Saturday. 

Yet another day at the Valencian Championships

The men started their triples campaign today.  Allen was playing with Keith Roberts & John Withers at Greenlands.  A close game but they lost on the final end against Guiseppe Galelli, Arthur Brown & Alan Pugh of Horadada.  No photo as Allen forgot his camera.
Mike Cox, Colin Highland & Derrick Cooper had a good win against Fred Roberts team of La Marina.  A good scalp for you lads.
David Whitworth, Phil Morrachan & Mal Hughes beat Ted Uphams team from Greenlands this morning and then went on to beat Rod Paynes team from Emerald Isle this afternoon.

Sheila & I were playing pairs again at Emerald Isle and this mornings match was against Sue Mahomet & Spanish Squad member Peta Rhodes.  

Sheila & I played well at the beginning of the match and managed to build up a lead of 13-4 before they scored a singles and put up a really short jack, and managed to pull back to 13-11 behind.  On the next end (17th) we were 4 possibly 5 shots down and I drew a close wood.  We couldn't decide whether it was shot or not and so I bowled my last bowl - luckily I didn't do anything as after having the umpire on to measure we had the shot.  This put us into the final end 14-11 up.  Not a brilliant end from any of the four of us and at the completion of the end it was measures out.  I thought we had blown it as it looked as though they had scored 4 but 2 of the bowls were just out by less than a centimetre and we won by 1. Phew!!

After a short lunch break it was back onto the green against Barbara Forshaw & Jean Perchard who had knocked out a home pairing in the morning.

Trial ends out of the way and we scored shot on the first end.  Then disaster struck - I started to feel dizzy, sick, couldn't focus and my hands were shaking so much I couldn't bowl properly.  There was no way we were going to concede having got to this stage so I got a cold wet cloth around my neck, ice cubes in the bra and tried to get going.  Sheila was keeping it tight and managing to keep us in the game.  Umpire June Jones suggested I try a sugary drink and got me a bottle of lemonade - 3 ends later I was feeling much better and luckily the score was only 1-7 down.  I started to bowl and with Sheila peppering the jack we had soon caught up and gone into a lead of 15-7,  we dropped a single on the next end but got 2 singles back on the next 2 ends to lead 17-8 and they conceded with 2 ends to play.

Tomorrow we play the semi final against last years champions Shirley Verity & Sheila Cammack of Country Bowls.  At least we wont have to play 2 in a day again.

Valencians - ladies pairs again

Today was day 2 of the ladies pairs and Sheila & I were against Jenny Chaplin & Ann Horswell of Country Bowls.

We started really well and built up a healthy lead but a couple of loose ends and we let them back into the game.  They pulled back to 16-15 down.  Looked dangerous but we dug deep and pulled away again and managed to secure a victory.  Another day tomorrow and a possible 2 games if we win in the morning.

Valencian Championships - Victory at last

Today Sheila & I were playing pairs at Emerald Isle against Carolyn Harris & Maggie Furness of El Rancho.

This started off as a close game with both sides trading shots.  Then a crucial end where Sheila & I scored a 3 followed by a 4 on the next end to give us a cushion.  The ends were always tight but if we didnt win the end it was usually only a single.  Having secured the match at the conclusion of the 17th there was no need to play the final end as we were 9 shots up, but rather than carry the bowls back we decided to bowl them.  Good job they couldn't win as we dropped a 6, but we put that down to not needing to get close - thats our story and we are sticking to it.

No news about the mens singles with Mal Hughes, Phil Morrachan & John Withers in action at El Rancho and Colin Highland at Greenlands.  Likewise no news about Mel & Shirleys match at San Miguel.

Tomorrow morning we play against Jenny Chaplin & Ann Horswell of Country Bowls.

Valencian Championships Mens Singles

With our ladies not playing pairs until Sunday, today was down to the lads playing singles.
We got off to a good start at El Rancho with Phil Morrachan beating John Rudkin of Greenlands.  Next up was John Withers who comfortably beat Tony Metcalfe - husband of Spanish coach Pat.
News came through from Greenlands that Ian Young had withdrawn due to a health problem and that John Featherstone had lost to Len Rudge of El Rancho, but Colin Highland had beaten D Salmon of Bonalba.
Next up at El Rancho was Derrick Cooper (San Luis Club Captain) playing Eddie Breslin of Albir, losing by the short margin of 21-18.
At the same time Allen went on to play Alan Pugh of Horadada, and a colourful game this was.

Allen struggled to get into his stride and with Alan playing well it looked as though the match would be all over quickly, but Allen eventually found his length and started to pick up shots.  He kept going getting ever closer and scored a 3 to close the match to 20-18 down before Alan got the final shot needed to win.  A brilliant fight back but a loose game early on left Allen with too much to do.

Throughout the competition the San Luis spectators club have been present at the mens matches and I am sure the players have appreciated this support.  Just one thing - the ladies could do with some support too.

Only Keith & Audrey Roberts and June & David Whitworth have been to support us - plus the husbands/partners of course.