Saturday 28th February saw the first Challenge Day of the year. Many of our bowlers, along with their families gathered at breakfast time at Tamworth IBC. Following a feast of bacon cobs, sausage cobs and full English breakfast washed down with tea, coffee etc., the players used their new found energy to have a roll up, practice various shots, have some instruction from our coaches and got used to the fast Tamworth rinks.
Joining the bowlers was Lucas Manousios who recently regained his England cap for the LDIBIS England L2 squad. He came down from Yorkshire, as an EALABA guest, to practice on the fast rinks in preparation for the April Munro Cup against Wales and Scotland, at Leicester IBC.
Also, joining the players was Neil Smith, one of the original founders of EALABA in 2007, and playing with the bowls of his late father Ray Smith.
We were short of a few players and to make a full team, we invited some local players from Tamworth building our squad to the full 18, so we could play 6 rinks of triples.
Just afternoon we were joined by our competitors for our Challenge Event, Tamworth IBC. A 2 course lunch was provided by Mifi Tea Room. Cottage pie/veg and chocolate gateaux or cheese cake were the order of the day.
Prior to the main event everyone took part in a spider. Players stood round the perimeter of the rinks, one foot in the ditch the other on the rinks, at the sound of the bell, each person delivered one bowl towards the jack located at the centre of the rink. Closest to the jack was the winner and that honour went to Graham Arding who one a pair of Drakes Pride 2 bowls cases.
This was a meeting of, and a challenge with many friends. Many of these players first met before Covid in earlier challenge days hence this made for an excellent atmosphere. Lots of chatter and laughter. However, the atmosphere changed when the match began, competition in earnest. Three bowls each over fifteen ends on six rinks.
The lead changed frequently in the first third of the challenge before EALABA moved ahead inch by inch before running out victor 98-68 and winning 4 of the 6 rinks.
Everyone retired to the lounge for a post match cup of tea and cake, kindly donated by Cheryl Birch and Heather Jacob.
EALABA’s next Challenge Day is programmed for Saturday 11th April at Tamworth IBC. Gedling IBC had been invited for another annual match. These matches have taken place over many years. However, there are deep concerns as to whether the match will take place to Gedling’s facility being closed by their local council for redevelopment, meaning the close of their bowls club.
POST SCRIPT
Due to Gedling IBC’s dire and demoralising situation, they decided not to field a team. Subsequently, as of 17th March Tamworth agreed to raise a team.