Category: Match

Paul & Ivan today played Terry & Alan from Waterside, in the NF Pairs Plate quarter final, in Downton.
Our visitors chose to play on rink 5 & whilst the green looked great, this rink was really hard to play on, especially playing towards the tennis courts. > We started off well, taking a 3 on the first end, which we then gave straight back on the next. Our visitors then won 3 ends in a row to lead 4-8. We then won the next 4 to lead 9-8. After losing a 3 on the 15th end, we led 13-12. The next 2 ends were shared, so the score was 14-13 after 17 ends.
Final end, Paul played a brilliant 4th bowl for us to lie shot bowl. With a wall of bowls in front of him, Alan just couldn’t find a way through & we ended up taking 1 shot & winning the match 15-13.
All we know at this stage is that in the semi final, we will be away to a pair from either West Moors or New Milton & the match has to be played by the 17th August.
Ivan Buss 22nd July 2025.

The Bustards (3rd) made the short journey to play Ringwood (4th). After heavy overnight rain, the green was very soft & slow. Another shower just after we started didn’t help. However, when the sun came out, the green quickly dried out & it started playing as well as it looked. Easily the best green we’ve been on this season so far.
Rink 1 – Dibbie, Paul & Geoff – D 14-14. After losing a 4 on the 2nd end, it didn’t look good, but when the sun came out, we started to play & in total we won 8 ends, taking the lead on the 16th end. Sadly though, we lost a 2 on the last end to draw 14-14. We scored 2×3, 1×2 & 6 singles. In the end a good recovery & probably a fair result. Well done boys.
Rink 2 – Tony, Steve & Ivan – Won 22-18. After 7 ends we trailed 1-11. Once the sun had came out, we also started to play & won 9 of the last 11 ends. It looked all over on end 12 when their skip turned a 4 down to a 3 up with his last bowl, but we didn’t give up & managed to turn it around. Our score inc 2×4, 1×3, 4×2 & 3 singles. Would have been even better if we hadn’t given away 1×4 & 3×3. We’ll played boys.
Overall score – Ringwood 32 v 36 Bustards. Bustards 5 points, Ringwood 1 point. An excellent result, which keeps us in 3rd place.
Next week we are at home to run away leaders Fordingbridge. One change in our team, with Ann replacing Steve. The match starts at 10am & the bar opens at midday. All spectators are very welcome.
Ivan Buss 19th July 2025.

The second & final clash of the season between the Bustards & the Dragons, was played today on the hottest day of the year so far. It was already 26°C when we started, so Steve & I agreed to reduce the match to 12 ends, with 1 shot on the first two ends. (It was 30°C when we finished). The first match several weeks ago resulted in a draw.

Rink 1 – Dibbie, Paul & Geoff – Lost 5-12. We lost the first 5 ends to trail 0-7 before we got on the board. We won 4 of the 12 ends, scoring a 2 & 3 singles. The Dragons score included 2×3.

Rink 2 – Tony, Steve & Ivan – Won 12-6. A good consistent team performance, winning 7 of the 12 ends, which included a 4 & a 3. Well done boys.

Overall match score – Bustards 17-18 Dragons. Bustards 2 points, Dragons 4 points & the bragging rights for the rest of the season. Well played & congratulations.

With a couple of results still to come in, it is likely that the Bustards will finish the day in 4th, with the Dragons moving up to 5th, just 4 points behind. Fortunately, the Bustards currently hold a 33 shot advantage over the Dragons.

Next week we are at away to 3rd place Ringwood. We beat them comfortably in the reverse fixture, but their results have really picked up of late, so a tough contest is expected. Hopefully, we can put in a good performance & put today’s disappointing result behind us.

Ivan Buss

12 July 2025.

Paul & Ivan today played John Merritt & Trevor Brown, who both play for West Moors in division 1 of the New Forest, in the NF Pairs Plate Competition.
Neither John or Trevor had played at Downton before, so we definitely had the home advantage.
We started off really well & were 8-2 up after 5 ends, which included a 2 on the first end & a 3 on the second. We managed to keep the momentum going despite a bit of rain & won 7 of the remaining ends, which included 4×2 & 4 singles, to win the match 18-11.
We are now at home in the last 8, against Bentham/McKenzie from Waterside, with the match to be played on/by 27th July.

Ivan Buss

6 July 2025.

The Bustards traveled to Bournemouth of a beautiful hot, dry, sunny day, to face bottom of the table Argyll. A really pretty ground, with a nice view out to sea & a lovely, small, fast green. What could possibly go wrong?

Rink 1 – Martin, Steve & Geoff – Lost 26-13. 7-6 up after 8 ends, then the wheels came off! After losing a 2, 4 & a 6 we were 7-18 behind after 11 ends. A 3 & a 2 cut the deficit to 12-18, then we lost 4 of the last 5 ends, inc 2×3, to be comprehensively beaten 13-26. We only won 6 ends which inc a 5 & a 3. Better luck next time boys.

Rink 2 – Tony, Ann & Ivan – Won 22-17. We were 1-7 down after 4 ends, then we absolutely dominated this match. We won 11 of the last 14 ends, inc 2×3 & 6×2 to lead 22-11. With the other rinks score at the time, we were winning the match after 17 ends, then disaster. A rogue maximum length jack, a loss of 6 shots & although we still won the match 22-17, the last end rather soured the victory.

Overall match score – Bustards 35 v 43 Argyll. Bustards 2 points, Argyll 4 points. A very disappointing result. The 2 points will keep us in the top half of the table, but this was an opportunity missed to solidify 3rd/4th place.

Next week marks the midpoint of the season & we are at home to West Moors Bees. We were well beaten by them on the first day of the season, so will be looking for a much better performance & a win!

All spectators are very welcome & don’t forget, the bar will be open from midday.

Ivan Buss.

28 June 2025.

A tough match on paper against second placed Dolphins, which it proved to be. On another hot, sunny day, it was nice to see the green playing so well & today, it was pretty quick.

Rink 1 – Dibbie, Paul & Geoff – Lost 17-19. A game of two halves. 5-15 after 9, level 17-17 after 16, we just couldn’t quite get it over the line. We only won 7 ends, which included a 5, 2×3 & 2×2. Good effort boys.

Rink 2 – Tony, Ann & Ivan – Won 18-16. After 4 ends we were 1-5 down, then we won 6 out of the next 7 ends to lead 14-8. We won 11 ends in total & in the end just managed to hold on & scrape a win.

Overall match score – Bustards 35 v 35 Dolphins. Bustards 3 points, Dolphins 3 points. Overall a good result, which keeps us in 4th place.

Next week we are away at Argyle D, who are bottom of the league. At the moment I only have 5 players, so I need someone to step up. Please give me a ring on 07910 290735 asap if you are able to play, as I really don’t want to just chuck points away.

Ivan Buss

21 June 2025.

MTL match at home to Salisbury. It was so hot, we agreed to play 14 ends, with 1 on each of the first two ends. Thank goodness we did! Having been watered twice this morning, the green took a while to dry out. Once it did, it started to play pretty well.

Rink 1 – Shelley, Patrick & Richard – lost 3-21. Without doubt Salisbury’s strongest trio, who won 11 out of the 14 ends, scoring a big 6 along the way. We only scored singles. Better luck next time.
Rink 2 – Dave, Paul B & Colin – won 25-4. This time we won 11 out of 14 ends, scoring a 6, 3×3’s & a 4. This time, they only scored singles. An inspired performance, well done boys.
Rink 3 – Marg, Rod & Ivan – won 23-8. We only won 9 ends, but that included a 5, 2×4 & 2×3, with a nice 4 – 5 finish. They managed a 2, a 3 & 3 singles. A good consistent display, well played.
Overall match score Downton 51 (6 pts) v Salisbury 33 (2pts).
There is no game next Wednesday.
Ivan Buss

18 June 2025.

Third place Bustards made the shortish journey to Bournemouth to play 4th place Panthers. The weather was great, the green was small & it played pretty well.

Rink 1 – Tony, Steve & Geoff – Lost 13-19. Losing 2-9 after 7 ends, the boys came back well to make a game of it. We then won 6 out of 9 ends to lead 13-10. Sadly, we then ran out of steam & lost the last 4 ends, including a 5 on the last end, to lose 13-19.

Rink 2 – Dibbie, Ann & Ivan – Lost 17-20. 14-2 up after 7 ends, having just scored a 5 (we had 2 of these), we then lost a 4 & a 5 on ends 11/12 to only lead 15-14. After 15 ends it was 16-16. Over the last three ends they played well to snatch victory by 17-20. Only taking 3 shots over the last 11 ends really did for us & to say I’m not happy with that performance, is an understatement!

Overall match score – Bustards 30 v 39 Panthers. Bustards 0 points, Panthers 6 points. We’re still top half of the league, but if we continue to play like that, not for much longer!

Next week we are at home to our good friends the Swanage Dolphins, who are 2nd in the league. 10am start. All spectators are very welcome & don’t forget, the bar opens at midday.

Ivan Buss

14 June 2025.