Essex County Indoor Bowling Association (ECIBA) Men’ s Triples
Harwich 17   Clacton 18
Despite having approximately 200 members Harwich & District I.B.C are poorly represented in the yearly ECIBA competition’s, but this year managed to field 4 players in the Men’s Singles, 2 teams in the Men’s Triples and 3 teams in the Mixed Pairs.
This match, as was expected, was a closely fought encounter between two very competitive teams with Harwich having the home advantage and Clacton the experience. The home side were represented by Steve Humphrey playing at one, George Berry (captain) at two and Ian Love as “skip”. Clacton fielded J. McGregor at one, A. Harper at two and E. Mercer as “skip”.
The game got off to a tentative start with both teams assessing their opponents, trying to establish both their strengths and weaknesses. Harwich scored three on both the second and fifth ends but were held in check by Clacton with the score being 6 – 6 after six of the eighteen ends. Harwich were consistent in their approach to the game and had the better of the next six ends, scoring six to Clacton’s three and led 12 – 9 after twelve ends. Despite scoring a further four on the next two ends the home side were unable to hold onto their seven-shot advantage. Clacton still had it all to do though, needing three shots on the last end to take the game into a “sudden death” end. Holding two shots with one wood to be delivered it was an edge of the seat finish to a game that was a credit to the sport of Indoor Bowls that is played throughout the country at this level. That last wood seemed to take an age to travel the length of the rink towards the jack and unfortunately for the home side It got a slight “wick” on its journey and ended up giving Clacton their third and decisive shot.
With the scores level at 17 – 17 the match went into a “sudden death” end and with the tension at a maximum it was Clacton who held their nerve to take the end and the match by the narrowest of margins, one shot, 17 – 18.

Harwich 125   Copdock & Washbrook B.C. 40

It is very difficult, especially this early in the winter season for outdoor bowlers to adapt to the indoor conditions which became evident in this match. Captain for the day Peter Andrews, skipping Ashley Pinto and Derek Taylor overwhelmed their opponents, winning by thirty shots. Sandy Mooney ably assisted by Tony Watson and David Hunter won by twenty two shots and Steve Humphrey skipping Wilf Rose and Jackie Hindle won by twenty one shots. Charlie Furtado assisted by Dawn Whitman and Ken Sparks were level at the half way stage of nine ends  but had a better second half, eventually winning by fifteen shots. For Chris Johnson skipping  Keith Hindle and Jackie Halsall, it proved to be far from easy. Although they played a very tight game they ended up by loosing by six shots, conceded over the last three ends.

Harwich 93   Suffolk County Vice Presidents 45
This was the first of three high profile yearly matches in the Harwich calendar and one in which Suffolk chose to play triples, Harwich’s preferred format of the game, rather than the usual fours. The home sides best performing triple was that skipped by John Almond who assisted by John Peperell and Michael Reeder won by a convincing eighteen shots. George Berry skipping Roy Petts and Captain of the Day Howard Lewsey were never in trouble and won by eleven shots. Also winning by eleven shots was the triple skipped by Mike Ryan who oversaw Chris Barker and Peter Andrews. Sid Elmer skipping Jackie Halsall and Bill Howlett probably came up against Suffolk’s strongest triple but still won comfortably by eight shots.

Harwich 124   West Mersea I.B.C. 71
Playing another indoor bowls club proved to be a test for Harwich and although they won convincingly overall, they did not have it all their own way. Harwich’s most impressive performance was the triple skipped by Charlie Furtado who playing with Dawn Whitman and Elizabeth Pomroy won by a convincing twenty-seven shots. Tony Wilson, a new Harwich skip, playing with Flora Dick and Bill Howlett also proved too strong for their opponents and won by nineteen shots. Sid Elmer assisted by Tony Watson and John Pepperell were always in control of their game, took a thirteen-shot lead and never let their opponents back into the game, winning by thirteen shots. Steve Humphrey assisted by Wilf Rose and Peter Andrews took advantage of an early lead against a strong Mersea triple. Although they came back towards the end the home triple held on to win by just two shots. John Almond in charge of Jackie and Keith Hindle and captain Howard Lewsey skipping Derek Taylor and Sandy Mooney struggled throughout and lost by three and five shots respectively. 

Harwich 119   Clacton I.B.C. 92
This should have proved to have been the home side’s second challenging match in the last two weeks with both teams being experienced at playing the indoor game. Harwich’s best performing triple was that skipped by Peter Andrews who, playing with Dawn Whitman and Charlie Furtado comfortably beat their opposition by thirteen shots. Not to be outdone skip Sandy Mooney ably assisted by Flora Dick and Derek Taylor won by twelve shots. Mike Ryan, Diana Jacobs and Captain of the day Brenda Vernaven managed to keep their opposition in check throughout and won by ten shots. The triple skipped by Tony Watson with Jackie and Keith Hindle struggled early on but fought back from being from six shots down to win by seven. John Almond skipping Jackie Halsall and David Hunter were involved in a closely fought contest and were level with two ends to go but unfortunately dropped three shots on the last two ends. The triple skipped by Howard Lewsey with Bill Howlett and Tony Wilson never really got started and lost by twelve shots

Clacton I.B.C 123   Harwich 55
On what happened to be a glorious Sunday afternoon the only ray of sunshine for Harwich was delivered by skip Sandy Mooney, Chris Johnson and Tony Watson who, although they had to battle throughout registered a deserved three shot win. Unfortunately Harwich lost the other five triples, four of them convincingly. Skip and first time captain for the day Howard Lewsey who was playing with Jackie Halsall and Peter Andrews managed to restrict their loss to five shots but John Peperell skipping Jackie and Keith Hindle lost by thirteen shots, Mike Ryan skipping Diana Jacobs and Dawn Whitman lost by fourteen shots, Charlie Furtado skipping Pat Mitchell and Glen Turpin lost by eighteen shots and Michael Reeder playing with his wife Jean and John Almond lost by twenty-five shots.

Harwich 155   Copdock & Washbrook 50
This was Harwich’s last match of the winter season and they certainly went out in style by recording their highest ever score. Harwich’s the best performing triple was that skipped by Michael Gale who playing with wife Gillie and Tony Wilson crushed their opponents by an overwhelming forty-two shots. Sandy Mooney assisted by Tony Watson and Peter Andrews won by twenty-three shots. Steve Humphrey skipping the much more experienced Chris Barker and Brenda Vernaven won by seventeen shots. John Almond in charge of Roy Petts and Captain George Berry won by thirteen shots and Sid Ellmer playing with Paul Wilder and Jackie Halsall won by ten shots.

Ladies Mason Trophy

Harwich 19   Clacton C 46 
Unfortunately Harwich crashed out in the first round of this years Mason Trophy. At home the rink skipped by Vice Captain Brenda Vernaven playing with Ginny Ayers, Alison Balaam and Jeanette Gugerly took an early lead but were then overwhelmed by their opponents, eventually losing by seventeen shots. Carol Sutton skipped the away rink and was in charge of Diana Jacobs, Jean Manning and Carol Harrington. They also happened to take an early lead but the outcome was much the same as the home side and they eventually lost, but not quite so significantly, by ten shots

Fixtures - Match Reports     2018 - 2019

Harwich 115   East Bergholt 83
This was another good win for Harwich all be it a little closer than expected. The home sides best performing triple of the day was that skipped by Sandy Mooney who ably assisted by Peter Andrews and Bill Howlett cruised to an eighteen-shot victory. Charlie Furtado skipping Dawn Whitman and Tony Watson also won convincingly by eleven shots, whilst John Almond, Flora Dick and Paul Wilder won by ten shots. Michael Gale assisted by his wife Gillie and Tony Wilson fought a tight contest throughout and were eventually edged out by two shots. Captain of the day George Berry skipping Carol Sutton and Steve Humphrey were more than likely playing against East Bergholt’s strongest triple which was skipped by Harwich’s David Hunter who was representing his outdoor Club on the day. After ten ends the scores were level but the away side held edged ahead to go on and win by four shots.

Walton I.B.C 80   Harwich 52
Pete Andrews skipping Flora Dick and John Peperell were Harwich’s only successful rink, in this encounter, winning by just one shot. Howard Lewsey assisted by Wilf Rose and Elizabeth Pomroy were always in with a chance but eventually lost by five shots. Both Captain George Berry, skipping Tony Watson and Glen Turpin, and Sandy Mooney, skipping Jackie Halsall and Derek Taylor had their moments of success but could not repel Walton’s constant pressure, both loosing by twelve shots.

Harwich 72   Colchester West End B.C. 65
This was a closely fought game with both teams fortunes changing throughout.  Harwich’s most successful triple was that skipped by veteran Sid Ellmer, who assisted by Tony Watson and Elizabeth Pomroy won by 22 shots. This win proved to be decisive for the home side as it covered the losses on the other three rinks. John Almond, skipping Pat Mitchell and Captain David Hunter, narrowly lost by two shots. Stuart Britten assisted by Shelia Gordon and Jackie Halsall also fought a close game lbut lost by six shots and Sandy Mooney, skipping Jackie and Keith Hindle lost by seven shots..

West Mersea I.B.C. 52   Harwich 50
This was a rare excursion for Harwich who travelled down to West Mersea where they had to adapt to what were unfamiliar carpet conditions. Thanks to a good performance from the quartet skipped by Pete Andrews, who ably assisted by Charlie Furtado, Dawn Whitman and Tony Watson who won by ten shots, the overall result of the match proved to be very close. Sandy Mooney skipping Jackie and Keith Hindle with Paul Wilby fought a close game throughout and were unfortunate to lose by four shots. Captain of the day George Berry playing with Paul Wilder, Jackie Halsall and Howard Lewsey were probably Harwich’s strongest rink but despite being level with four ends to go they failed to score another point and lost by eight shots.

Harwich & District I.B.C 111   Walton I.B.C 85
Harwich continued in their winning ways in this friendly against Walton I.B.C, who are one of their closest rivals. When playing at home Walton tend to have a refreshment break after nine ends and after that period in this game they were leading by the narrowest of margins, 51 – 50. Unfortunately, the lack of half-time refreshment seemed to have an adverse effect on the Walton bowlers and they were unable to hold onto their lead with Harwich running out eventual winners by a comfortable margin of 26 shots.
 Harwich’s best performing rink was the one skipped by Pete Andrews who, ably supported by Chris Johnson and Jackie Halsall won convincingly, 26-9. Captain of the day George Berry skipping Steve Humphrey and his wife Ann won 20-12, despite not registering a point until the 5th end. Sandy Mooney supported by Flora Dick and Bill Howlett gave away 6 shots on the 7th end but went on to score eighteen shots in six ends, eventually winning 25-18. Skip John Almond, Jackie and Keith Hindle fought an evenly contested game but emerged victorious, winning 16-12. Mike Ryan, David Hunter and Di Jacobs fought another closely contested game but unfortunately didn’t manage to score a point on any of the last four ends and lost out 13-15. Skip Charlie Furtado, Dawn Whitman and Tony Watson struggled to get into their game and despite scoring 7 shots on the last five ends lost 11-19

Harwich 110   Brantham B.C. 78
This proved to be a comfortable win for Harwich against a Brantham side which consisted mainly of outdoor bowlers. Harwich’s best performing rink was that skipped by Mike Ryan who along with Derek Taylor and Elizabeth Pomroy romped home by twenty-one shots. Pete Andrews assisted by Di Jacobs and Ken Sparks also performed well winning by twelve shots, while Sid Ellmer assisted by Jackie and Keith Hindle won by eight shots. Howard Lewsey skipping Flora Dick and Tony Watson took a nine shot lead before the opposition started to fight back. They dropped eight shots on the last three ends but just managed to hang on winning by six shots. Sandy Mooney skipping Charlie Furtado and Dawn Whitman were six shots up after twelve ends but only managed to score one in the final six, losing by four shots. John Almond, Wilf Rose and Captain Brenda Vernaven regularly held the advantage but the aggressive firing of Brantham’s Ian Love destroyed their good work and they lost by twenty-one shots. 

Harwich 135   Courtaulds Halstead 76
This proved to be a convincing win for Harwich against a club who were fielding predominately outdoor players. Leading the way were the triple skipped by Mike Ryan who, playing with Dianna Jacobs and Tony Watson who won by twenty-two shots. Close behind came Sandy Mooney, Bill Howlett and Flora Dick who by twenty shots. Captain George Berry assisted by Roy Petts and Steve Humphrey won by ten shots, as did the triple of Sid Ellmer, Derek Taylor and Peter Andrews. Harwich fielded a triple composed of three new bowlers to the club. Michael Gale skipping his wife Gillie and Tony Wilson played a solid game throughout and despite the opposition scoring on eleven ends managed a well-deserved draw.  John Almond’s assisted by Jackie and Keith Hindle suffered against strong opposition and despite scoring eight on the last end they lost by three shots.

Harwich 118   Colchester B.C. 50
After their heavy defeat at Clacton in the previous match Harwich got back to winning ways against Colchester. Again the home side's best performing rink was the one skipped by Sandy Mooney who along with Derek Taylor and Bill Howlett won by a very convincing twenty nine shots. Not to be outdone captain of the day Howard Lewsey skipping Chris Barker and Peter Andrews also had a convincing win, winning by twenty two shots. Michael Reeder assisted by his wife Jean and Tony Watson won by a comfortable margin of twelve shots while skip John Almond playing with Pat Mitchell and Chris Johnson won by seven shots. Keith Hindle skipping his wife Jackie and Jackie Halsall were on level terms with their opposition after fifteen ends but could not quite find the telling woods in the last 3 ends and ended up loosing by five shots.

Harwich 82   Kirby B.C. 50
This was one of the few morning friendly matches that Harwich play during the winter season. That said the early start did not seem to deter the home side. The most successful triple of the afternoon was that skipped by Mike Ryan who along with Tony Watson and Diana Jacobs won by a convincing twenty three shots. Captain for the day Sandra Hambling skipping Roy Petts and John Almond managed to hold the opposition at bay and won by six shots. Peter Andrews had to step up to skip as Colin Theobald was drafted in for John Peperell. The late change did not affect play as they won by four shots. Unfortunately for skip Sandy Mooney, playing with Chris Barker and Steve Humphrey fortunes were mixed. Although they scored a four early and followed that up with a six on the ninth end they were unable to hold onto the lead and lost by the narrowest of margins, one shot.

Harwich 86   Dovercourt B.C. 99
Harwich entertained a strong Dovercourt team in this local derby and their class eventually showed through in this closely fought match. Harwich’s most successful triple was that skipped by John Almond playing with Jackie Halsall and John Peperell. They trailed with four ends remaining but finished strongly to win by four shots. Charlie Furtado helped by Dawn Whitman and David Hunter were coasting at the halfway stage but Dovercourt fought back to earn a respectable draw. George Berry assisted by Ken Sparkes and Elizabeth Pomroy won the last four ends but could not recover from an indifferent start and lost by three shots. Captain Howard Lewsey skipping Bill Howlett and Steve Humphrey were three shots down going into the lase end but staged a great recovery, gaining the three shots required and earning themselves a hard fought draw.Sandra Hambling playing with Jackie and Keith Hindle were involved in another tight match but lost by three shots. The triple with Peter Andrews in charge of Tony Watson and Sandy Mooney were only one shot behind with two ends remaining. Alas they dropped a three then a four to lose by eight shots. Harwich should be encouraged because the entire opposing team was comprised of Harwich bowlers donning Dovercourt shirts! It showed how much Harwich as a Club has improved in recent seasons.

Harwich 110   Thorpe Le Soken B.C. 107
This, the first match of the season, turned out to be an absolute thriller with the result being decided on the delivery of the last bowl of the match. Harwich’s most successful triple of the afternoon was that skipped by Captain George Berry who was ably assisted by Wilf Rose and Steve Humphrey and who won by a convincing twenty shots. Michael Reeder helped by his wife Jean and Tony Watson were also successful, winning by nine shots. Sid Elmer skipping John Almond and Peter Andrews were eleven shots up early on before the visitors gamely fought back. They did however hang on to win by two shots. Charlie Furtado skipping Dawn Whitman and Chris Barker fought a close match losing out by just two shots. John Pepperell skipping Diana Jacobs and Ashley Pinto were all square on the thirteenth end before falling away to lose by eight shots. Clive Elmer skipping Pam Bloom, who was nursing an injury, and Derek Taylor struggled throughout and lost by eighteen shots

Harwich 91   Holywells B.C. 5I
Harwich continued in their winning ways when they entertained Ipswich’s Holywells B.C. The home side's best triple of the afternoon was skipped by Sid Elmer who along with Jackie and Keith Hindle won by a convincing twenty shots. Charlie Furtado skipping Dawn Whitman and Flora Dick also put in a good performance winning by fifteen shots. Sandy Mooney assisted by Wilf Rose and Bill Howlett were in complete control  until their opposition stole an unexpected seven shots midway through the match and then a further five shots on the last end, but all was in vain as the home side held on to win by five shots. Steve Humphrey skipping Chris Johnson and Ken Sparks were eight shots down on the fifteenth end and still five shots down on the last end but managed to finish strongly gaining the five shots required for a well deserved draw.

Harwich 131   Brantham B.C. 86
Harwich entertained Brantham who, despite being a predominately outdoor club fielded a number of players with indoor experience. The match in the main went according to expectations with the triple of skip Steve Humphrey, Tony Watson and Tony Singleton providing the home side’s best result of the day. They limited their opposition to scoring on only four of the eighteen ends and won by a convincing twenty-four shots, while Tony Wilson skipping Jackie and Keith Hindle also performed well winning by sixteen-shots. Mike Ryan assisted by Diana Jacobs and Captain Sandra Hambling picked up thirteen shots in four ends mid match which enabled them to secure a win by the same margin. Sid Ellmer ably assisted by Wilf Rose and Bill Howlett won six shots while Charlie Furtado skipping Dawn Whitman and Peter Andrews won by the narrow margin of two shots, despite being eleven shots to the good in the early stages of the game. John Almond playing with Flora Dick and Clive Elmer came up against a very strong triple skipped by ex-Harwich player, Doug Halliday and lost by sixteen shots.

Harwich 119   Capel St Mary 47
Despite Capel St. Mary being an outdoor Club, their team did contain bowlers with indoor experience and who could give the indoor regulars a good competitive game. There was only one triple that had a runaway victory. Mike Ryan skipping Diana Jacobs and Tony Watson overwhelmed the visitors by thirty-six shots. Tony Wilson assisted by Peter Wilby and Clive Elmer scored in threes and fours, restricted their opponents to ones and twos and won by fifteen shots. Michael Reeder in charge of Jackie and Keith Hindle were never really threatened by the opposition and won fairly comfortably by twelve shots. Sid Elmer assisted by Jackie Halsall and John Almond fought a fairly evenly contested but held their nerve to win by ten shots. Steve Humphrey skipping wife Ann and Ken Sparkes were nine shots down after eleven ends but staged somewhat of a comeback winning six of last seven ends but lost by the narrowest of margins, one shot.

Harwich 71   Kirby 47
Outside bowling club Kirby managed to spring a few surprises on their indoor hosts making this a closer game than would normally be expected. Harwich’s best performing team was the triple skipped by Mike Ryan who with Diana Jacobs and Bill Howlett won by a convincing nineteen shots. Tony Wilson skipping Michael and Gillie Gale took a thirteen-shot lead were never looked back, winning by twelve shots. The first surprise came on John Almond’s rink. Playing with Wilf Rose and Paul Wilder they were six shots up after ten ends’, but Kirby fought back to take the lead leaving the hosts to score two shots on the last two ends to earn a hard-fought draw. The real shock of the match came with triple skipped by Sid Ellmer who playing with Jackie Halsall and Peter Andrews held their opponents at bay for eleven ends. The Kirby triple then took charge and eventually won by seven shot winners.

Harwich 76   Essex County Select 79
This was the second of Harwich’s three high profile yearly matches and was played against a very strong Essex County Select team. Harwich however fought a very close match and done well to only loose by three shots. The home sides best performing quartet was that skipped by Steve Young who playing with Roy Petts, Howard Lewsey and Captain of the Day George Berry who won by nine shots. Harwich’s second winning quartet was the one skipped by Clive Pettican who assisted by Wilf Rose, Charlie Furtado and Michael Reeder who, despite dropping seven shots on the last end held on for a narrow win. Sid Elmer playing with Chris Barker, Glen Turpin and John Pepperell had mixed fortunes and led up to the half way stage, but Essex fought back and won by five shots. The rink skipped by John Almond playing with Billy Mowat, Carol Sutton and Peter Andrews were overrun by their aggressive opponents and lost convincingly by fourteen shots.

Harwich 118   Norfolk County Vice Presidents 84
This was the last of three annual County matches and in which Harwich performed to a high standard.  Harwich’s best rink was that skipped by John Peperell skipping Roy Petts, Stuart Britton and Jackie Halsall they overwhelmed their opposition by eighteen shots. Sid Elmer assisted by Chris Barker, Billy Mowat, and Clive Elmer were fourteen shots up after ten ends and went on to win by eleven. George Berry assisted by Alan Lawrence, Neil Barber and Captain of the day Howard Lewsey were all square after nine ends but went on to win by eight shots. Clive Pettican playing with Wilf Rose, Syd Johnson and Michael Reeder took eight of the last ten ends to win by seven shots. John Almond skipping Dawn Whitman, John Topham and Charlie Furtado had a mid-match crisis losing five consecutive ends but came back to win by just one shot. Unfortunately Peter Andrews playing with Glen Turpin, Paul Wilder and Elizabeth Pomroy never quite managed to get their game together and lost by nine shots.

Harwich Indoor Bowls Club

Harwich 83   Capel St Mary B.C. 68
This was the first match of the new year for Harwich and they just managed to scrape the expected win. Had it not been for the triple skipped by Steve Humphrey, playing with his wife Ann and Bill Howlett, winning by 23 shots, Harwich would have found the match much more challenging. Charlie Furtado assisted by Jackie Halsall and Tony Wilson, having his first outing for Harwich, put up a good performance scoring consistently throughout winning by six shots. Peter Andrews helped by Wilf Rose and Elizabeth Pomroy started slowly but having taken the lead on the eighth end managed to keep the opposition at bay and won by three shots. Tony Watson skipping Dawn Whitman and David Hunter led throughout but slipped up on the very last end and lost by two shots. Capel borrowed three Harwich players, Sandy Mooney, Jackie and Keith Hindle for this match and they played against Captain of the day Michael Reeder who was skipping his wife Jean and Carol Sutton who were out bowled throughout the match and lost by fifteen shots