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CROMER MARRAMS BOWLS CLUB – OCTOBER 2024 NEWSLETTER

Hello Members,

The Mens EBA team played at home to Fakenham but disappointingly lost 1-4 points, 55-59 shots. Top rink was James P, Allan H, Marc S and Nigel C, 26-11. The game at Sheringham Morley was much better with a 4-1 points, 72-48 shot, victory. Best rink was Stuart M, Steve H, John B and Neil P, 24-11. The visit to champions elect Lakeside Pilgrims ended in a 0-5 points, 45-73 shots defeat. At home to RG Carter there were 2 rink victories but a 2-3 points, 50-65 shots defeat. Best rink was James P, Allan H, Marc S and Nigel C, 23-15. They played their final game at Reepham Nomads and suffered a narrow 0-5 points, 51-64 shots, defeat. A disappointing final league position of 6th from 8 teams.

In the Federation league the Crabs played at Holt and won by 9-0 points, 65-39 shots. Best rink was Stuart M, Gordon G and Steve H, 29-11. The home game to Suffield Park was washed out after 6 ends! The visit to Cawston ended with a 1-8 points score, 38-58 shots. Best rink was Tony B, David H and Neil P, 14-14. The game at Overstrand wasn’t much better with a 2-7 points, 40-51 shots defeat. Rink winners were Roger G, Allan H and Nigel C, 17-9. The Crabs played at their final two league games at home. Against Suffield Park we lost 1-8 points, 44-53 shots. Drawing rink was Roger G, Keith R and Neil P, 17 each. The following evening Smallburgh and Dilham came and won by 2-7 points, 51-66 shots. Winning rink was Roger G, David H and Neil P, 21-18. Finished a disappointing next to bottom in the league.

The Crows played host to Aylsham but were beaten 0-9 points. At home to New Road NW was a little better with a 1-8 points scoreline, 40-53 shots. Best rink was Chris H, Jean S and Keith P, 15 all. The home game v Mundesley was another dismal defeat, 0-9 points, 40-53 shots. The Crows played at Stalham and were defeated 2-7 points, 32-46 shots. Winning rink was Jean N, Clive M and Keith P, 18-9. The final game at Reepham Nomads was a 2-7 points defeat, 42-56 shots. Winning rink was Jean N, Don P and John B, 17-15. Finished bottom of the league.

In the afternoon NANSA league at home to Felmingham Cromer drew 4-4 points, 55-45 shots. Top rink was David H, Roy M and Philip E, 26-10. At Smallburgh and Dilham we lost 0-9points, 35-55 shots. The return game at Felmingham was a 2-6 points, 48-53 shots, defeat. Winning rink was Jean N, David B and Neil P, 18-16. The game at Banningham finished 4 points each, 46-53 shots. Top rink was Chrissie L, Don P and Neil P, 22-13. We went to Cawston and won 8-0 points, 59-40 shots. Best rink was Chrissie L, Don P and Steve H, 20-12. At West Runton, Cromer managed a 4-4 points draw. Visitors Smallburgh & Dilham were defeated 6-2 points, 57-44 shots. Top rink was David H, Chris H and Steve H, 29-12. The final game at Southrepps ended with a 2-6 points defeat. Cromer finished in 7thposition from 9 teams.

In the NANSA knockout cup semi-final Cromer played Suffield Park away and gained a narrow advantage over the 3 rinks, 55-49 shots. Top rink was Chrissie L, Chris H and Neil P, 19-14. In the 2nd leg at home the job was finished with a 50-42 shot victory. Best rink was Tony B, Steve H and Roger G, 24-9. In the Cup Final at Holt against Banningham BC, Cromer triumphed with 2 rink victories and a 54-42 shot advantage. Top winning rink was Colin S, David R and Roger G, 21-8. Chrissie L, Chris H and Neil P won 18-15. Stuart M, John B and Steve H lost 15-19. Congratulations to the team and the squad members of James P, David H and Allan H for their support in earlier rounds.

In the Cawston floodlit Trophy a mixed Cromer and RG Carter team lost their first game so progressed to the Subsidiary Cup. Victory over Lyng saw progress to the semi-final against Cawston but, unfortunately, they were well beaten.

President’s Day went ahead with 18 members supporting Admiral Nurses (Dementia Society) with a spoon drive, raffle and spider raising £132. Chrissie L won the spider and Colin S the spoon drive. The friendly fixture against Horsham St.Faith BC was delayed by the rain but a short version was played in the sunshine before more wet weather! Cromer only won on 1 rink but won on shots, 62-57. Top rink was Stuart M, Philip E and David H, 29-8. Weybourne BC came to play us and won easily 34-59 shots. Wymondham Dell BC came to play us and in a close game Cromer were victorious by 98-90 shots. Best rink was Chris H, Jean S and Keith P, 21-12. On a gloriously hot afternoon tourists Southall and District BC played us on 6 rinks. Cromer won on 5 rinks but only by 8 shots overall, 101-93. Top rink was Stuart M, Bob K, Stuart H and Neil P, 17-11.

The annual visit from Sproughton BC (Ipswich) was a closely contested fun game over 6 rinks. Sproughton came out on top, 85-91 shots. Best rink for Cromer was Chrissie L, Keith R and Allan H, 19-8. Norfolk Past Presidents came to play but could only win on 1 rink. Final score, 89-74 shots. Best for Cromer were Roy M, Ian H and Roger O, 15-7. We travelled to Aldiss Park BC at Dereham and although winning on 3 rinks and drawing on another we lost overall 73-83 shots. Top rink was Stuart M, Joy R and Steve H, 17-14. West Surrey BA played us as part of their week tour on a lovely afternoon but were beaten 89-74 shots. Best rink for Cromer was Stuart M, Brenda S and Steve H, 22-10. The visit to Buxton BC was really enjoyed. Not only because we won on all 3 rinks (46-32 shots) but also the lovely cake refreshment from Jackie! Top rink for Cromer was David H, Neil P and Clive M, 17-12.

The second visit of the season from our friends at Weybourne was a bit of a ‘mix and match’ affair. It finished with 2 rink wins each and a close 63-59 shot victory for ‘Cromer’. Best winners were Jean N, Andrew H and Stuart M, 25-10. Tourists from West Hoathly BC (Sussex) played us on 6 rinks and won on 4. The overall score though was close at 83-88 shots. Best rink for us was David B, Andrew H, Allan H and Roger G, 19-10. Another lovely afternoon making friends and enjoying bowls. The final friendly game of the season saw a visit from local friends Buxton. They gained ‘revenge’ with a 44-59 win on all 3 rinks. ‘Best’ for Cromer were David H, Jean S, Roger O and Neil P, 16-17.

The final get-together for a spoon drive, before treatment for ‘bugs’ on the green and end of season professional treatment, saw 14 members enjoy a pleasant, sunny afternoon. Neil P won with a +19 score from Colin S with +8.

The club finals were held in good weather with plenty of spectators enjoying the matches. Congratulations to the winners;

Federation Singles – Marc S

Mens Handicap Singles – Steve H

Mens Singles – Steve H

Open Singles – Allan H

Ladies Singles – Chrissie L

Open Pairs – Colin S and Roger O

Mens Pairs – Neil P and Keith P

Ladies Pairs – Chrissie L and Brenda S

Triples – Colin S, Steve H and Neil P

Fours – Philip E, Roy M, Chris H and Nigel C

30 members, with numbers reduced due to illness, enjoyed an evening with a buffet and drinks before the presentation of trophies for the club competition by outgoing President, Philip. 

Fortunately, rumours of the club’s demise were premature! There were worries when a number of officer posts became vacant but members have risen to the cause. Now most of the important positions within the club have been filled for next season. The future is looking much brighter on and off the green. Thank you for your support.

Following the AGM the committee now comprises the following officers of the club;

President – Neil Patrickson

Chairman – Allan Harvey

Management Secretary – David Rose

Treasurer – Stuart Maley

Club Captain – Keith Pantling

Fixture Secretary – Neil Patrickson

Bowls Secretary – Brenda Scott

Safeguarding Officer - Allan Harvey 

Competitions Secretary – Marc Smith

EBA/NBA League Captain – John Blackburn

EBF League Captain Crabs – Vacancy

NANSA Pairs League Captain – Vacancy

NANSA League Captain – David Brown

Ladies Captain – Chrissie Laskey

Norfolk Bowls Association Delegate – Roger Greef

2 Female Member – Janice Allard/Vacancy

2 Male Members - John Browning/Vacancy

Other supporting roles within the club are;

Webmaster/Publicity Officer – Allan Harvey

Recruitment Officer – Allan Harvey

Kitchen Manager – Janice Allard

Bar Manager – Jackie Purvis

Many thanks to all the officers for their energy and enthusiasm during the past year. Special thanks to four members who have served nobly over the past few years or more and have decided to ‘retire’. Philip Edmonds who as President has always been the positive and supportive face of the club, Bob Allard for keeping the fabric of the club in good repair and running the competitions, Tony Gascoyne for his work on our website publicizing the great things happening at our club and James Phillips for years of dedication to making the green the best. James is keen to offer his expert advice to whoever volunteers to work on the green after March 2025.

The club Christmas Party is on Saturday 11 Janaury, 6.30pm for 7pm, cost £4 per person. Food will be provided and entertainment in the form of a Quiz and Bingo. As usual everyone attending MUST bring a raffle prize, costing a minimum of £5, and everyone will WIN a raffle prize! A list for those wishing to attend will be on the noticeboard from November.

We are registered with www.easyfundraising.org.uk to raise funds for the club. Easyfundraising is a UK-based charity shopping site that allows you to raise donations while you shop online. 16 supporters, so far, have already raised over £240! 

The club bar continues to be open every Friday, from 7pm for members and visitors. Drinks at cheap club prices!