Well, we did it! The Bowls Algarve bowling team brought back the silverware. The team assembled at Posada de Jose Maria el Tempranillo hotel on Sunday evening, May 27, near to Alameda, Spain, for a gentle roll up to experience the speed of the green. A very enjoyable evening was spent eating and anticipating the game next morning, but what was needed was a good night’s sleep for all.
At breakfast next morning (Monday), the teams were announced by Frances Reynolds, our tour leader, and everyone assembled at the green, next to the hotel, at 10am, on a cool cloudy day.
A welcome was given by the Posada Club captain and the game began promptly at 10.30am. Due to the small size of the green at Posada, games were scheduled both in the morning and the afternoon. The teams all gave their best and the Bowls Algarve team won four out of five games played during the day, some members having to play twice.
Tuesday dawned cool and cloudy again, not at all the kind of weather the Bowls Algarve team had been anticipating – totally different to the conditions experienced last year, which were exceptionally hot. Again, the team managed to pull another win out of the bag, out of the four games played, leaving the team on a knife edge to finish the final day on Friday.
Wednesday was a day off for the bowlers, leaving them free to see the local sights or just rest as they chose. In the evening, most of the team came together for a night cap before retiring to bed to be ready for the next day.
On Thursday, the team visited another local bowling club, Saydo Bowling Club, where the team played in very hot conditions winning two games and losing two, a draw overall. However, this game did not form part of the competition for the trophy.
Friday, and summer seemed to have arrived in Spain. It was very hot and sunny, just like last year, and Bowls Algarve bowlers still had to win two games to take the trophy. So, there could be no resting on laurels.
Posada fielded some of their strongest players, with the four games beginning at 10.30am, and quickly Posada took control of most rinks. However, the Bowls Algarve teams are made of ‘sterner stuff’ than that, and two of them fought their way back to take the two wins needed to ensure the trophy came back to Portugal for the first time ever from Spain.
Grateful thanks go to Frances and Allen Reynolds, who both worked very hard to arrange this tour, and ensure everything happened at appropriate times, and to Posada and Saydo Bowling Clubs for hosting us. Congratulations to all the Bowls Algarve team who worked hard to achieve this success on Spain’s home ground.
By MIRIAM HARE
Caption: The Bowls Algarve team
