Over the last couple of weeks, Prattens Ladies have had to reschedule their games as they still have two players out with a broken foot and one player out with back pain.

 The club were, of course, short of players this season. This has left the ladies in particular with serious difficulties. The mens’ squad managed to field teams for their fixtures, though the standard of players has been affected by the loss of several experienced players. 

The Mixed team has managed to field teams for league games, while having to postpone or cancel friendly games. This has meant that we have lost every game in the last two weeks. 

In the Somerset County League East 1 division, having been promoted last season, we are bottom and have not picked up a single point yet this season – hopefully this will improve as the season goes on and some of our newer, inexperienced players improve. 

In the Mid Somerset Leagues (Mens and Mixed) we are doing slightly better, we are picking up some rink win points (our 12-0 win at Purnells remaining the only league match that we have won so far this season – perhaps they underestimated us). 

We did manage to win in the first round of the Top Club Competition against Portishead, so the win against Purnells is not the only Mens team win of the season, but still the only one in the league. In case this all sounds really dismal, please let me point out that we still enjoy the games and the banter with our opponents and I will still be hoping to be selected for games in the future.

We still have room for several more new members, so if anyone else wishes to join the club, please contact Barrie or Pauline Dando on 01761-412705 or come along to the club evening on Monday from 6pm where you can have a try at the wonderful sociable (but competitive) game we call bowls.

Graeme Smith