Thursday 23 June 2016

Fair weather bowlers

Men's league match against bottom club Eaton Socon this evening. We should come away with an emphatic 7-0 win on points, which will open up a margin at the top of the division between us and the second placed club. I've not selected myself, preferring to watch play and assess form.

Been raining most of the afternoon, but the forecast is for clearing skies. As we arrive it's raining. We're happy to start at 6.30pm, but there are rumblings of discontent within the opposition. I ask one of their players, if he's not keen to play in the rain why is he sitting in waterproofs? Agree with the opposition captain to delay the start by 30 minutes and reassess then.

By 7.00pm there is very light rain and the skies are definitely clearing. I agree with the opposition captain to play fifteen ends, the minimum for a result to stand. All our team is keen to play, other than one who is chatting to a player from the opposition, expressing a view that we shouldn't play. I deal with that pretty quickly by telling them both the decision has been made and we're getting on with the match. 

Unfortunately there are four bowlers in the opposition who have been opposed to playing from the start, and they refuse to play. Fair weather bowlers. Although the green is heavy, it's certainly playable. Think part of their concern is whether they'll be able to heave their bowls the required distance on a long end.

So we retire to eat the food prepared. Guess what... ham and cheese rolls yet again!

POSTSCRIPT : I report the problem by email to the league secretary, who comes back with a pretty poor response. On appeal our opponents are deducted 7 points and fined £10, and we have to play the fixture on a date rearranged within 14 days. See email thread below.

2 comments:

  1. it is extraordinary for bowlers with rain gear not to play. Why do they have clothing for inclement weather?

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    1. Exactly, Clarke. Knew they were going to lose heavily to us, and just didn't fancy an even bigger thrashing on a heavy green.

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