After Pam's birthday bash we played on Easter Monday – a Melee with an Easter bonnet competition with tea and cakes provided by the members. The best Easter bonnet was worn by Wendy Harris (she had sewn some bunny ears on her cap and a pompom for her tail).
Then in June we played our first dotty trophy match – the singles, which was won by JJ.
In July we held our open day, celebrating the 5th anniversary of our boulodrome. 52 people played and 5 helped prepare the barbecue for lunch. Wendy, Val, Moiya & Sally made food, Pat helped prepare the tables, Gerry did the barbecue. Special thanks to Val who pulled everything together! We had a delicious lunch. Everyone received a badge commemorating our anniversary and we had a very successful day in lovely sunshine.
The winners were:
1st Julie (PW) - 6 wins + 47 she won the dotty cup trophy .
2nd Richard D (PW) – 6 wins + 32
3rd Mark D (PW) – 6 wins + 17
4th Louise (PW) - 5 wins + 45
5th Margie (PW) - 5 wins + 43
6th Frankie (Winnersh) 5 wins + 42
7th Anne Sims (Winnersh) – 5 wins + 19
8th Mal (Winnersh) 5 wins + 16
Then in July we played the final game of the MCB Electrics Sunday League Challenge and had a lovely buffet lunch prepared by Helen and Alex. After lunch Mark presented the cups, and the Red Kites came first having won 7 of the 8 games, followed very closely by Arborfield.
In August and we played the Select Pairs. A very closely contested match played by Steve G & Louise against the KKs (Knacked Kidneys Mike Marshall & John Parsons). JP has only been playing for about 7 months, so a lovely win for him.
The doubles match was played on the last Wednesday of July – The semi finals had Chris S & Sarah playing against Wendy & Peter S. I very exciting game, with Chris and Sarah beating Wendy and Peter with the last boule! Debbie and Paul Hammond (who have been playing for about 10 months had made it to the finals, but it was decided to play that match on Sunday 17th August because by now it was dark and late (10.15) and most people had left . So Paul & Debbie and Chris & Sarah played the final on a lovely sunny Sunday morning. Chris & Sarah won.
Now we have the triples, Over 70s and Memorial Trophy to play for and that will conclude our competitions for the year. Play will continue as usual, ready for our annual club lunch on 25th November, play on Boxing Day and New years Day and it all begins again!
On the Regional side:
Congratulations to three of our Red Kites (Wendy H, Mike M and John P) who won the Regional Triples on the 23rd June, beating Paul and Dean Webb and Bob Boothman on the way as well as players of the like of Eric Hanlon, Alun Jones, Amrit Seetana and Snowy (peter Miles). Commiserations to the other three from the Red Kites – Moiya, Thérèse and Gerry who only won one game – their first, strangely against the eventual winners who won every subsequent game. Moiya and the Lewises went on to lose every subsequent game! Such is life.