It all started on Friday when the Middlesex Ladies took on Surrey across all 6 rinks.  The groundsman assisted with extra watering from Jane, Terry & Laurence during the previous fortnight, had the green in a fantastic condition with 90% grass visible and only the odd patch of brown.

There were up and down scores across the rinks and Middlesex lost by just one single shot overall.  Margaret, Sheila and Audrey served all the players and officials with teas/coffees on arrival; Kim, Martin, Kerry & Ellie served an excellent meal and Jane and Ann were keeping everyone hydrated with soft and alcoholic drinks from behind the bar.

On Saturday, with the sun blazing down on the green, the Middlesex Ladies had their Finals Day for all the National Competitions.  Although the majority of the finalists in the various disciplines would be heading off to represent the county at the National Championships in Leamington next month, the winners and runners up of the Unbadged Singles and the runners up in the Senior Fours have to be satisfied with County glory!  That’s pretty good in itself!

Singles Championship – Sue B beat Janine – both from West Ealing

Unbadged Singles – Karen Ryan (West Ealing) beat Carol Daines (Ashford)

2 Bowl Singles – Jane P (Broomfield) beat Frankie C (Brentham)

Pairs – Sue B & Megan H beat Janine and Lu – all from West Ealing

Triples – Birthday girl Sue A, Maureen & Sarah from Holtwhites beat Mandy, Angela and Cynthia from Ladygate

Senior Fours – Phil, Elaine, (apologies)   & Kay S from Hurlingham Park beat Wanda, Jo, and (apologies again)  from North London

and last, but not least – the Cambridge Park – Cathy, Nadine, Jean & Ann beat Sue, Lu, Janine and Karen from West Ealing in the not-so-old-girls Fours!

Sarah H had kindly provided Norman with a pinny, oven gloves etc and he cut a dash in the kitchen preparing Ploughman’s Lunches.  Sheila M, Audrey were serving teas/coffees/cake all day and both looked exhausted by the end of the day.  Beryl B assisted Sheila & Audrey in the morning and Rita McD and Sarah H volunteered to help and were roped in for later in the afternoon.  Jane and Ann did a great job behind the bar too.  Laurence & Dawn marked two of the finals as their contribution.

It was lovely that so many people came to support their teams then stayed to enjoy most of the singles’matches before heading off home.  Thank you.

Thanks also to the Middlesex Executive who, without a specific Competition Secretary, all joined forces to run the competitions throughout the season and did all the admin on Finals Day.  On top of all their other committee tasks, they did a grand job and all of us players are very grateful to their diligence and commitment to the County on our behalf the whole year round.