What a difference - We Won

Post date: Dec 8, 2019 6:59:13 PM

What a difference a year makes. Last year our friendly fixture against Peterborough, which hadn’t taken place for some time, was reinstated. Memory serves that upon arrival the ten feet high security gates were locked. The visitors please press bell was pressed many times. We were about to turn back, surmising that we had turned up on the wrong day, when with a clanking and grinding the gate juddered to an open position just wide enough to squeeze through, if you were quick enough. Upon parking, there was plenty of room, no other cars to be seen; we pulled, as it said, on the entrance door. It was locked, another bell push with a notice saying please ring for assistance.

This, as the previous, was pressed many times until a click was heard, we tried the door again and open sesame, in we went into virtual darkness. Were they in the middle of a power cut? Is there any one there we cried. In the corner we spotted a huddled figure curled up in an armchair. Hello again we cried. The figure staggered up with the reply “what do you want” Upon explaining that we had come to play in a friendly he explained that he was only the cleaner and didn’t know anything about that and that perhaps someone might be along soon. When that someone came they thought that they should have the required number of players and they’d have to go out and buy some best rink prizes. Good job we came early we thought.

So much for last year, but this year what a change, the gates were open, the door was open, the lights were on, there was music playing, a plate of complimentary sandwiches on the bar and a ‘nice to see you’ welcome. And to top it all we won, oh yes we did! It was thanks mainly to a new quartet of Ann Preston-Bambridge, Janet Benns, John MacPherson and their ‘does he ever stop talking’ skip Dave Edwards. They were by far our best rink finishing up winners by an impressive 25-6.

While we shared the rink honours, three each, we led from start to finish with the final score in our favour of 107-88. Considering this match has a certain amount of local rivalry, and bearing in mind that our motto is there is no such thing as a friendly, it was played in fairly good spirits, apart from a misunderstanding on one rink by some of the opposition’s players that because they were losing they could change playing positions whenever they thought fit. Thinking about it maybe that’s not a bad idea for friendlies. Let’s put it to the committee for a ruling on it.

Anyway after the match we were treated to an excellent meal by the host’s new catering staff and there were so many raffle prizes just about everyone one on every table got one. Thanks for an excellent afternoon Peterborough, and welcome back to the friendly scene, we look forward reciprocating at Stamford next year.

Rink scores: Judith Childs, Margaret Grainger, Howard Neath, Adrian Childs lost 16-19; Ann Preston-Preston Bambridge, Janet Benns, John MacPherson, Dave Edwards won 25-6; Ken Rawlins, Cherry Burgess, Colin Burgess, Doug Ellis lost 14-20; Roger Graham, Janet Moore, Malcolm Mann, Maurice Dye won 17-12; Reg Goode, Serena Brunning, Maggie Holden, Jill Goode lost 18-20; Janet Dye, Roly McHard, Jenny Desborough, Ken White won 17-11.

Next match Sunday 15 December at home against Sleaford. For the selected team see the notice board opposite the bar. D.S.