Balaia Bowls Club News and Events 2024

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ! CLOSURE OF BALAIA BOWLING GREEN

THE BOWLING GREEN AT BALAIA IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED

THE CLUB RELOCATED TO VALVERDE BC NEAR ALMANCIL AND SHARES WITH THEM
Rollup days and times until further notice will be MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS meet at 10.00 for 10.30 start

FOR VALVERDE BC LOCATION MAP ETC PLEASE CLICK OR TAP HERE

ALL PAYMENTS MUST BE IN CASH, ON THE DAY. TARIFF HERE. SHOE HIRE IS NOT AVAILABLE AT VALVERDE.

SPECIAL NOTE - THE GREEN WILL BE CLOSED FOR MAINTENANCE WEEKS COMMENCING
16th and 23rd DECEMBER. RE-OPENS MONDAY 30th DECEMBER

Balaia Bowls Club Competitions 2024 - 2025

Our club competitions will be in February and March 2025.
With a shortage of available dates, the Committee has agreed that all three competitions will be held as short format events. Dates as follows, all MONDAYS from 1300hrs / 1pm

17th February - Men's Pairs; 24th February - Open Singles 17th March - Mixed pairs

Bowls Algarve Winter League 2024 - 2025

Fixtures and results for the Saturday League and Super Ten's are available here.

Bowls Algarve Summer League Cup 2024

We finished bottom of the summer league, despite valiant efforts.

Balaia fixtures and results here.

FUNDRAISING AND CHARITIES

December 2024 foodbank shop - news and pictures here

FIRST LEAGUE WIN OF THE SEASON AND A HOT-SHOT!

After last week's near miss, we recorded our first league win of the season on Saturday 7th December, a home win by 4 - 2 in sets, 65 - 32 in shots. High note was a 'hot shot' 9 - 0 end achieved by Brian, David and Tom. That's the first one any of them have ever managed! Downside was an injury to Frances Reynolds, who tripped and hurt her wrist. She was unable to complete the game. The injury was later confirmed as a double fracture. Unfortunately Frances will be unable to bowl for while. We wish here all the best in recovery.

UPDATE - SUCCESS AND DEFEAT IN THE BOWLS ALGARVE INTER-CLUB COMPETITIONS

Alan and Tom lost 16 - 11 to Keith Boak and Mary Mullane at Pedras BC. They were 8 - 7 ahead after eleven low scoring ends, but two ends later were 8 - 13 down. The deficit was reduced to 11 - 15 going into the final end. They were holding three, measure for the four needed to force a tie-break, but the final shot of the game saw Mary put in a winner and an end to any lingering hopes.

Jill Dunkey and Frances Reynolds won their first round open pairs match by the narrow score of 22 - 21. Going into the 18th end, they were all square with opponents Sue Jones and Linus Muirhead of Alvor BC.
They held their nerve to finish as winners. Well done to both. In the next round they travelled to Floresta to play Gerry Kinane and Paul Sutton, losing 22 - 9.
However, Brian and Pauline Denyer, with Gabriel Noonan, lost their triples match by two shots on the last end, the score being 12 - 14.

Our remaining interest in the various competitions is as follows. Dates to be arranged.

LADIES' SINGLES - Frances Reynolds will play Sue Kinane (Floresta) at home

TRIPLES - Frances,Jill and Alison travel to Floresta to play Gerry Kinane, Paul Sutton and Debbie Stewart.

Various of our members are still involved in the Valverde BC competitions. Jill and Alison reached the semi-finals of the Ladies' Pairs. Brian and Roy will be on opposite sides in the Drawn Pairs quarter-finals. Jill is also involved, pairing with Peter Hollis of Valverde against Pat Smith and Graham Martin. Balia also has several still involved in the drawn triples. These competitions will be moving forward during January and February.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY TOURNAMENT 10th NOVEMBER

Twenty-four bowlers took part in the annual Remembrance Day event on a very warm and sunny day. This year's triples event was organised in conjunction with Valverde BC, whose green we now use. Winners on the morning were Jan Wilson (Balaia) with Colin and Suzanne le Poidevin of Valverde. The oration was read by Alan Camplin-Smith ahead of an impeccably observed two minutes silence. Thanks to all those who took part.

TEN PIN BOWLING EVENING 25th OCTOBER

Members enjoyed an evening of bowling of a different kind at the Hot Shot Bowling arena at Albufeira marina. After an hour and a half of intense competition, Gabriel Noonan emerged as winner, with Alan Camplin-Smith in second place. Fat Cats Diner nearby was the venue for the after match dinner. A bit too dark for decent pictures!

NEW LEAGUE SEASON 2024 - 2025

The club has entered the Bowls Algarve League for the winter 2024 - 2025 season. Those games will mostly be played on SATURDAY mornings. It's a long season of twenty matches. We have also entered a team in the Super 10's competition, which will mostly be played on Thursdays during January and February 2025. That will be a further eight competitive matches. This will allow as many members as we can fit in to play at least one competitive match each week. For those who don't know, the Super 10's consists of matches home and away against the other member clubs. The format is two pairs and two triples. That needs ten players. Which is why is is called Super 10's. League fixtures and in time the results here.

PLAYING TARIFF AT VALVERDE

It was agreed at a meeting between the two committees that playing fees for Balaia Bowls Club members will, with immediate effect, fall into line with those paid by members of Valverde BC.

Pay as you go - €85 a year plus €8 per game for those registered as players with Bowls Algarve. Three months, including all match fees, €175; six months €270; Annual €420. All others wishing to play at the club will pay €12 per match. All payments MUST be in cash, on the day.

Memberships will have the added benefit to Balaia members of membership of Valverde BC with all rights and privileges included. As a Valverde member, you will be eligible to enter their competitions.

BALAIA BOWLING GREEN IS NOW A PUTTING GREEN

Picture taken April 8th - click or tap to see full size

BALAIA BOWLING GREEN TUESDAY 12th FEBRUARY 2024

These pictures were taken this morning, before the Committee Meeting. It's a public holiday today, so no-one was working. I was able to get a better look than before. It is clear now that what is being built between the green and the big white wall of the building behind is a turning circle for cars and a little lay-by for perhaps two or three parking spaces. A fire hydrant has appeared on one corner of the green where the water pumping mechanism once stood. This work has cut away another corner of the green, which was not expected. That whole work area is very close to what would be the edge of the green. The trench along the side has been filled, but there are all sorts of pipes and cables laying around. The good news is that the grass is still being cut - you will see the mower in a couple of the pictures. Elsewhere, construction of the roads on either side of the driving range continues.

To see a larger version of the pictures, please click or tap. The situation was discussed in Committee. All members have been sent the notes of the meeting.

BOWLS ALGARVE INTER-CLUB OPEN PAIRS RESULT

Monday 5th February - Frances and Jill, defending their title, reached this season's semi final with a 21 - 11 win over Susan Kinane and Greer Hogg from Floresta.
They were defeated in the semi-final 23- 10 by Nick Gooch and Mark Richards of Pedras BC.

Balaia Bowls Club Christmas lunch 22nd December 2023

An excellent gathering, enjoyed by all, at Restaurante O Lavrador near Boliqueime. A raffle raised €210 for our charity, the Albufeira Food Bank. Click or tap a picture to see a larger size.
That concluded our activities for 2023. The bowling season resumes on 3rd January 2024.

Balaia Bowls Club Christmas rollup Thursday 21st December 2023 - and the green that same day.

click or tap for a larger size - we were at Valverde as our green remains closed

Not all members could be present. Afterwards we repaired to the Balaia clubhouse for a drink.

Whose jumper is the best?

click or tap to see a larger size.
The shed has gone and the first excavations between the green and the wall of the adjacent property are under way.
The grass was still being cut, a good sign. But so it proved otherwise!

Last year's news and events here.
Older news : 2019 2020 2021 2022

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