Parrott Shield shenanigins, plus match report, 6th August, 2026

In this week's newsletter, we focus on one of our annual competions with our friendly neighbours and rivals - Winscombe! The Parrot Shield has been contested over two legs between Banwell and Winscombe for over 50 years - 59 to be precise.

The away match - Victory!

The first leg, away at Winscombe, was held last week. Read the full match report here. Banwell were victorious, scoring a 74–67 victory and a seven-shot lead. Our last away win at Winscombe in this annual competition was in 2021, so there was real hope that the Shield could return to Banwell if we could repeat our performance this week.

An empty space above the bar

The home match - a bridge too far....

With Banwell carrying a seven-shot lead into the return match, retaining the Shield after five years looked promising - at least on paper.

Unfortunately, the fairytale soon ended. Seven reserves had been named, yet at 6.10 pm we were still one player short, despite that same player having been in the clubhouse only an hour earlier. At 6.15 pm, reserve Jim Purvis arrived to watch and was immediately drafted into the team, avoiding further embarrassment and a shot penalty for the rink.

Thank you, Jim.

The match was played in the friendly, good-natured spirit typical of these games, but Winscombe’s changes from the first leg proved decisive. Banwell won one rink by 15 shots -well done, Malcolm - and drew on two others, led by John Wright and yours truly.

Unfortunately, the outside rinks of Paul Aldus and Chris Wilson lost by a combined 30 shots. After accounting for our seven-shot lead from the first leg and a 15-shot defeat on the night, Winscombe won by eight shots overall.

“So near, yet so far” summed up the day, as President Lou gladly received the Parrot Shield back from President Barry for another year.

President Barry, putting on a brave face....

Wendy and Janis prepared an excellent tea and also ran the bar. Many thanks to you both and to all those who helped out during the evening. And so, the wait continues for another year and the space above the bar remains empty!

Hilary Guckian

Captain for this year's Parrott Shield

Tomorrow is Quiz night!

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See you tomorrow!

This week's match report

Over 55’s at home to Mark Moor, 30/07/2026

It's a pat on the back for everyone who played against Mark Moor. We recorded our first clean sweep of 20 points.

We have two rinks claiming top rink, but really with such a result every rink could be top rink. Paul Aldus who seems to attract rink one. I am sure he likes it, so he can complain about it! Having said that his rink won by a credible eight shots. John Wright's rink won by 16 shots, as did mine thanks to Trevor Garfield, Vic Mcardle - both played very well. John had the more difficult task being on rink six, I was on rink four.

We must be magnanimous in our victory because the Mark Moor lads stuck to their task with determination and not giving up, even when their course was hopeless.

The result was very satisfying, as today's game was my last this season for the over 55's. My knee is affecting my performance on the green; I don't think it's fair to those who play each week. When I come back from holiday, I shall resume my role as a non-playing Captain.

The all-important scores Banwell 132 shots: Mark Moor 60

The points awarded are Banwell 20: Mark Moor 0

Thanks to all of you who played. I do believe we are becoming a good side and I think we are second in the league.

Allan Shattock

Over 55s captain

North 1A away to Ashcombe B, 01/08/26

Back to the drawing board!

After last weekend’s remarkable 11–1 away win over Clarence A, hopes were high against an Ashcombe B side still seeking their first victory of the year. However, despite sitting third in the table and aiming to finish the season strongly, we struggled badly on what transpired to be three very tricky rinks.

Only Chris Wilson’s rink adapted, while the rinks skipped by John Wright and yours truly produced our poorest performances of the season. Ashcombe B deservedly won 62–41.

Ashcombe B 10 points Banwell A 2 points

Next Saturday we host Ashcombe A at home so there is some serious soul-searching required by the selection team on Monday evening.

Hilary Guckian

Captain of the day

North 1B away to Portishead B, 01/08/26

It was a relatively easy trip for Portishead for the match, in spite of being a summer Saturday afternoon on the M5.

All started well, but we all slowly fell behind . The dry brown rink was difficult to play. We lost on all three rinks. The weather was good and the match was played in a good spirit. The home captain said it is good to see three ladies in our team.

Mac Kirby 

Captain of the day

Umbrella, 03/08/2026

It was busy at the club on Monday evening, with Selection Committee, a couple of visitors trying out the game with coach Allan, people having a drink and a chat, and - of course - the umbrella match of 3 rinks of triples and one of pairs.

This week, the results varied widely and points awarded varied from 2 to 19!

The pairs match was played on rink 2 and was fairly evenly matched until end 10. Then John A and skip Sue S stepped up a gear, eventually beating Jim and skip Richard 17-9.

Rinks 3 and 5 had close matches, the victors winning by only a point or 2.

Rink 4 was home to the battle of the Daves. Dave A skipped his team of Kerry and Jan, whilst Dave W led Bob and Jenny. It was a bit of a whitewash, with Dave A's team winning a mere 2 ends, although one of them was a 4. The eventual score was 31 to 5 - ouch!

Dave Williams remains our current leader, adding a massive 19 points to his score. Last week's joint leader, Martina, has moved down to 2nd place, whilst Doreen is 3rd, pushing Wendy out of the top 3.

Click here to see the latest results on the website, or scroll along to the Umbrella tab on the Spaces app.

Kim Wright