Saturday 30 August was the last weekend of metrological summer, and the weather gods showed us how lucky we have been to experience the 2025 summer. It was overcast, winds gusting 35 mph with rain forecast. Unfortunately the Men’s B team had to brave it for their last game of the season, away to Ryde Marina C. Predictions were not good as we could only muster nine players with a few days to go. We were missing critical players who were away to daughter’s wedding, on holiday or called up to support the A Team. Then Ross stepped up, although it was his wedding anniversary, and then Paul Martin volunteered as his visitors had delayed their arrival. On the first end the drizzle started and became progressively heavier throughout the match.
Rink 2 Jeff, Bill M, John Hol and John Hyl made a slow start and went five down before scoring. They then matched Ryde’s rate of scoring but were unable to close ending down 17 – 12.
Rink 3 The three-man squad of Derek, Richie and Norman O had a close game and were level on a number of occasions without ever taking the lead. The final score was 15 – 12 which after the penalty was applied became 15 – 9.
Rink 5 As rink four was declared unusable due to impact of the dry area in the middle of the green, Alan, Trevor, Ross and Paul M took the lead from the start. This they held until it was evens after six ends. The close game continued with the lead changing and Bembridge were one up after the penultimate end. Bembridge were then holding two shots until the Ryde skip with the last wood of the match snatched the lead to win 17 – 15.
After tea the wind and rain had been increasing, and no relief was on the forecast. The occasional roaster tail was thrown up by woods and twenty three players were getting wet, cold and unhappy. After a discussion with the skips and unable to get a ruling from Bowls Isle of Wight, the two Captains of the Day decided to terminate the match at eighteen ends. As both teams were mid table this seemed to be a game of no consequence, and it was thought better to prevent more discomfort and potential damage to the green
Shot Score: 49 – 37
Points: 10 – 0.