Match Reports 2026

Townsend Bowls club, of Waverley Road St Albans, was founded in 1919. Two other clubs, Cockfosters and Mill Hill were both founded in the same year and for the last decade the three have played a tripartite tournament annually to commemorate the fact.

It was Townsend‘s turn to host this year and their guests were welcomed by a splendid spread, put on by Janet Metcalfe and Sue Cain. The promised rain stayed off and the green was complimented by all for its fast, smooth running. This, however, seem to play very much into Cockfosters' hands, who won overall by eight shots from Townsend as runners up. Top rink overall was the Townsend one of Ian Foster, Robbie Ranstead and Skip Bob Lawrie who won by no less than 30 shots against a Mill Hill Trio.

In the midweek friendly Townsend hosted four triples against Berkhamsted. In challenging conditions, Townsend won on three of the four rinks, any by 33 shots. The top rink was Alan Quested, Les Perkins and skip Roger Potter who won by 19 shots.

In his first county un badged singles Matt Stuart-Reid found himself up against opposition at Hatfield. In no way daunted, he pulled out a five shot lead after the first two ends and was never bettered. He scored consistently throughout the match to win by a very convincing 21 to 6.

In the Ladies County Fours the Townsend line up of Sue Sykes, Kamla Jassal, Sandra White and Jane Dixon beat a Hatfield foursome by 27-8.

In the first round of the Bob Vise Tournament, Townsend were drawn against Welwyn and District. This Trophy match calls on four disciplines, with the team winning most progressing to the next round. Welwyn fielded their most experienced bowler in the singles, with a view to getting off to the strongest possible start with a convincing win. However, one hour later Matt Stuart-Reid had turned the tables with a most dramatic 21-13 win for the hosts.

The Fours, of Andy Scarborough, Peter Armstrong, Jason Hall and Matt Pope were so far ahead after 15 ends, at 20-11, that Welwyn conceded the game and the match. The Pairs, of Peter Thomson and Alan Charran, and the Triples, of Les Perkins, Bob Lawrie and Gary West were level overall which meant that the end result was clear.

Next in line for a visit to Townsend are Batchwood, with the second round scheduled for next month.