Note: The below account of the bowls evening is by Path Rasan. The report sometime uses elasticated facts.
EASCOTE CC INDOOR BOWLS REPORT: FINALS
BREAKING: Mixed Bag triumphs again! The team originally inspired by the late, great Faisal Saleem, later run by Mona and now in the safe hands of Captain Chandler claimed the Mark Fielding Indoor Bowls trophy for the second time in a row. They beat off a spirited challenge by Captain Wallis’s Few Good Men who otherwise, had an impressive run in the tournament. The championship team (left to right) of Stephen Chandler, John Ayres, Chris Thom and Mike Chandler can now expect adulation like no other. The story of 2019 Eastcote Indoor Bowls enters the hall of fame at the below link together with the chronicles of previous tournaments. https://eastcotecc.hitscricket.com/pages/page_23383/Indoor-Bowls.aspx
Captain Harding’s WrongUns who had set their sights on winning the trophy this year were left devastated in the semi-finals. They will be back. The other semi-finalists, Captain Bramble’s Rolling Stones, making their debut this year, were left to rue missed chances which if taken would have catapulted them into the finals.
Quick review: With better luck, ex-champions Captain Natalie’s Carpet Burners could well have been in contention. Captain Pepper’s Stunts are one of the most talented sides in the league that are yet to win the tournament – here is surely the ultimate stunt to pull. The Brexiteers had a poor season despite playing with great spirit. Captain Bowers of Undate-a-Bowls tried his best for no avail, ending up at the bottom of the table. The greatest improvement was seen by Loose Women and Angry Birds. Captain Louise and Captain Tracey respectively have set themselves up beautifully to stake a claim for the trophy next year. Overall, the level of bowls was impressive.
The rising standards of bowls is no surprise given the number of hours that has been devoted to bowls over the years. After all, this chimes with Malcolm Gladwell’s assertion that you can become world class by devoting10,000 hours of purposeful practice at improving a skill, any skill. You can see this in practice when you look at the cricketers around the club who have devoted over 10,000 hours in their quest to becoming world class … but not always in the pursuit of cricketing excellence ☹.
In other news, on-field captain of Pride and one of the legends of Eastcote Indoor Bowls, Lee Hutton has demonstrated his fighting spirit in a real-life contest by overcoming serious illness and is back on the mend. Captain Clouting’s Pride are now preparing to roar back into Eastcote Indoor Bowls 2020.
It was a tribute to the contestants that yet again the tournament was played in good spirits but with exceptional competitiveness. Nothing less could surely be expected from members of a sports club, not least Eastcote Cricket Club.
The end of the bowls season heralds the beginning the cricket season. The Colts and the Senior Players are finessing their preparations for what promises to be an exciting year of cricket. The Club is coming to life! It is well worth coming along to support the teams and enjoy the social environment of the club in what is a beautiful setting. Here is hoping for a great season. Come on the Squirrels!