Sleaford Tsunami hits Stamford

Post date: Dec 12, 2018 6:06:35 PM

First of all apologies for the delay in publishing this report of our latest weekend fiasco, sorry friendly, against the Sleaford Sloggers. The reason being the difficulty in finding the words, without repeating oneself, to describe the hours leading up to the fiasco, sorry friendly.

After our captain Maggie (the Hounder) Holden had confirmed eighteen players with their captain on the Tuesday. No problem Maggie, nice to hear from you Maggie, look forward to seeing you again Maggie. She heard her phone ringing at 11.45 (at night!) leapt out of bed, well ok rolled out, tripped over the cat, dashed to the phone. Too late, message- Hello it s Sleaford, we’re one short, can you get anyone to play for us. It wasn t their captain, or if it was she had changed her voice from a soprano to a bass baritone since they last spoke. Could have been the cleaner, who knows.

Anyway our Maggie phoned back. You’ve guessed it no answer, no answer phone, nothing. Give up, back to bed with another gin and tonic. Next morning phone call to Margaret (I ll play anytime, anywhere) Andrews. Of course I will she says followed by ‘what rink am I on’?. We don t decide that until just before the match starts Margaret.

Saturday morning 10am, the phone rings, it s Alan Romaine saying he can play if we’re short. Unbelievable. Thanks Alan, but we’re ok. One thirty at the club, in breezes the afore mentioned Sloggers and their captain, such a nice lady, Carol. Hi Maggie, you ok, we’re another one short! Yes I m fine, says Maggie with that well practised grimace. Phone call to Alan, another of our well accomplished stars playing for them, there s something not right about all this.

Anyway all is well, a quick count up, Ian Hall hasn’t arrived. Phone call reveals he can’t play because he’s had to look after his grandchildren. Maggie bites her lip. The nice Sleaford captain Carol agrees to drop out and leave her rink to play pairs. Right the bell rings and off they go. Hold on a minute, there s only five players on rink one spots an eagle eyed spectator in the crowd, well three’s a crowd ain't it! Maggie bites her other lip. Who s missing, who cares! Put Carol back on her rink and swap Margaret Andrews back on to our side.

Finally, who said it s not the winning but the taking part that counts. Can’t tell you what the rink scores were or what the final score was because I, that’s me, lost the score cards, but we won. Who said bowls was boring, what a great day

DS