Taking on The Sons of Rest

Last Thursday (22 April 2010), West End Bowlers played their first friendly of the season against The Sons of Rest from Bulwell. This is when we dress up a bit, don white tops and grey trousers or skirts. In other words we try to look a little bit respectable. Having said this, we do not go to the same lengths and some bowling clubs and turn our whites and greys into a uniform. We manage to retain our individuality and it is this which, in my humble view, makes West End Bowls and Social Club special.

The two teams gather outside the Lenton Recreation Ground pavilion getting ready for the off. Matches always start at 2pm (roll-ups at 1.30pm). To the left of the door are the West End bowlers staring intently at the opposition, some of whom are in a huddles. Perhaps they are discussing team tactics.

Denis is the elected captain of WEB&SC and begins all home matches by explaining match rules and, most importantly, when we will break for tea. He is, by far, the most graceful bowler we have and it is a delight to watch him roll a wood. I called him the 'Lenton Fred Astaire of bowls' long before I discovered that he and his partner, Alice, are also enthusastic ballroom dancers.

The match is well under way and the ends are mounting up, but at this point it all all still remarkably even with just two woods separating the teams apart across three rinks. There is still all to play for.

West End regulars Tom, Bill and Alice watch the match as it progresses. They are also taking a well earned rest after being the afternoon's 'tea team' and doing the washing up afterwards. Until this year, Tom was a regular bowler and although he decided to call it a day at the end of last season, his woods, with his initial 'T' are still in action, having been passed on to a younger club member, who hopes some of Tom's magic will rub off on them.

These two ladies are both 'Christines' and both are members of WEB&SC. Christine on the right and her husband John are also members of The Sons of Rest Bowling Club and at this match were playing for them. It's like that with bowls. The same faces keep popping up in different teams — it's a bit like the same as with football clubs, who 'loan' one another players.

From their smiling faces you would never guess the result. In the end and after a good tea, West End won all three rinks and by 55 to 41 woods (it is the woods which determine the result, so a team could win two of three rinks and still lose).

It really was a perfect afternoon in an idyllic location. Lenton Recreation Ground really has it all when it comes to bowls.