That old saying 'time flies when you are enjoying yourself' certainly rang true last weekend. It is hard to believe that the green was closed last Sunday after the friendly against Havelock Park. It seems only a matter of a couple of weeks ago, I was saying in this column, how hopefully the weather would be good for the opening of the green and, here we are, the green all closed and everything put away for the winter. The club finished up the season with a couple of friendlies, one a tourer and the other old friends making a welcome return.

SAUNDERSFOOT 126 FRENSHAM TOURERS 80

For a pleasant change, this game was a triples, a format that lots of bowlers enjoy more than rinks. They were a happy bunch, pleased at long last to be able to enjoy the delights of the green in warm sunshine. It seems the most used item from their luggage was the wet-suits and the rain did do its best to spoil things just as we were playing the very last end of the game. Fortunately, it came to nothing and a smashing day was enjoyed by all. Scores (Saundersfoot first, Frensham skips only) were: N. Ruff, M. Robb, P. Bissell 28; J. Chuter 8. G. Davies, G. Spillar, L. Bissell 24; S. Wheller 8. J. Bingham, A. Howells, T. Shaw 16; S. Haytree 13. V. Ruff, J. Austin, D. Newton 23; F. Potterton 28. M. Carr, K. Rowland, K. Kennion 17; F. Mildan 13. V. Austin, R. Kennion, D. Robb 18; M. Smith 10.

WORK PARTY

In order to tidy things away for the winter, benches, ditch inlay etc, a work party is being asked to turn up at the green tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 10.30 am. This is normally done on the Sunday following the closing of the green, but owing to the first team having their end of season dinner on the Saturday night, there would have been no chance of any of them being sober enough to help out on the Sunday morning. So, just for a change and in the hope that more than usual numbers will turn up to help, we are meeting tomorrow morning instead. So come on folks, how about making the effort to help your club. I say it every year, so I will not change now; it will only take at the most about an hour and the more that turn up, of course, the quicker it will be. We are not meeting too early either, 10.30 am. Please make the effort, the club belongs to us all, not a select few, so the more the merrier. See you in the morning hopefully.

JOHN BADHAM SHIELD

This competition over the years has proved to be extremely popular amongst the bowlers and this year was no exception. Unfortunately, the heavy rain the previous night meant total chaos, as instead of the normal six rinks, we had to cut down to just the five. This meant altering all the previously drawn groups, and then having to change the format slightly, but as usual, the players took it all on their stride, letting yours truly do all the panicking. Just a couple of minutes late and things got underway. There was some cracking bowling throughout the day with everyone mucking in, marking, playing, making tea, and all hands on deck when it came to cooking the chips and washing up. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day, with a marvellous atmosphere, reminiscent of a few years ago. The five group winners were Kath Blayney, John Jenkins, Bryan Trott, Sam Anderson and Gareth Phillips, who then had to stay on the green and play a further round robin, the last game taking place at around six o'clock at night. Rather a long day, but everyone was full of praise for the set-up. The obvious highlight was young Sam Anderson playing in only his fourth ever game. Having taken up the game a matter of three or four weeks ago, his bowling throughout the day was superb, as was that of our two girls playing in their first ever tournament, Katy Waters and Bethan Gosnold. Both were rather tired at the finish, but were looking forward to next year and getting more games. The final result was: winner - John Jenkins; runner-up - Katherine Blayney; top junior boy - Sam Anderson; top junior girl - Bethan Gosnold.

SAUNDERSFOOT 116 HAVELOCK PARK VETS 100

You could not have wished for a better crowd of people to play your last game of the season against, not only cracking bowlers, but full of fun and determined to enjoy themselves. Panic was setting in behind the bar at one stage, as it looked like they would drink it dry; we just about managed to keep ahead of them. Their singing in the bar afterwards was supreme, and they carried it on when they returned to their hotel later. Certainly the type of visitors that would be welcome at any time. Oh yes, they did play a game of bowls, and although we could not beat them in the drinking game, we managed to come out tops on the green. Rink scores (Saundersfoot first, Havelock skips only) were: V. Austin, M. Carr, P. Bissell, M. Evans 29; E. Edwards 8. G. Vigus, G. Davies, M. Robb, D. Newton 16; E. Bowen 27. L. Statters, S. Anderson, R. Kennion, D. Robb 18; W. Lloyd 20. J. Bingham, G. Amos, S. Arris, T. Shaw 17; C. James 13. P. Lewis, E. Shaw, K. Kennion, J. Moffat 24; A. Rutherford 14. E. Pendlebury, J. Austin, K. Rowlands, L. Bissell 12; S. Hopkins 18. WHIST

Whist starts in the club on Monday at 7.30 pm.