Rinks and Finals Days plus match report, 6th September 2026
- Kim Wright
- 21 hours ago
- 5 min read
This week's newsletter is a bumper edition. Read on to see the Rinks Day report, Finals Day winner's pics and details of our final events of the season, including the presentation evening.
Watch out for a seperate message about must-do items for our upcoming AGM.
Finally, don't forget to read this week's match report at the bottom of this newsletter!
Rinks Day, Sunday 30th August, 2026
Banwell's Rinks Day was postponed after the sudden death of our friend Hilary Guckian. He was multiple winner of the trophy and also its organiser over recent years. As a club, we decided we would reschedule it and play in his memory.
The day arrived, with the weather looking threatening at times. Apart from a well timed shower at lunch time, it was kind to us, although the combination of damp grass, hot sunshine and fresh winds made for some interesting conditions on the rink. 6 teams took to the green to play in a round robin of 3 games each, followed by the final for the 2 highest scoring teams. There were some close, and some not so close matches, as you can see from the results below but all were played in the usual good spirits.
There were 2 clear winning teams, both with 5 points, who then met up in a final over 12 ends. This was a re-run of an earlier game, Lee and team against Mac and team, which had resulted in a draw. However, the final game couldn't have been more different, with Dave, Mark H, Bob and Lee winning decisively 21-5, including a 6 and a 4. Congratulations to them and well done to the runners up on getting to the final.
I think a good day was had by all. Thanks to everyone who played and helped make it happen - setting up, teas and coffees, working the bar - and especially to Paul who kept us all running to time (no mean feat) and kept the scores.
However, it doesn't seem right to talk about rinks day without mentioning Hilary. I am sure we were all thinking of him during the day. He was such a great supporter of all the club competition days, cajoling everyone to take part and expertly organising the days. He is greatly missed and we will remember him with the renamed 'Hilary Guckian Rinks Day Trophy'.
Wendy Coleman
Club secretary/ competitions secretary
Finals Day, 5th September 2026
It was another beautiful sunny day for finals day.
A good day was had by all, with some being rather tired at the end of the day, after playing two or three finals, or long competitive matches.
Here are the winners - click here to see full photos with names and competition titles on the website. Apologies to Trevor Burnett, Veterans winner and Bob Grant, Beginners winner for the missing photos.
Big thanks to Wendy for organising the day, and all those that put out and put away equipment, manned the bar (including washing endless glasses!) and came to watch.
Congratulations to all!
Kim Wright
Captain's Day, Saturday 12th September 2026
The last official day of the season is next Saturday (although we do have a tour match the following Saturday 19th - don't forget to put your name down!)
Please sign up ASAP for Captain's Day via the website, on the Spaces app or on paper in the clubhouse, if you haven't already. It is £5 per person, payable on the day, preferably in cash. Teams will be selected on Monday 7th so make sure your name is down before then. It's a 2.30 start (arrive by 2pm for the traditional club photo) with a match tea to follow.
Please note that if you sign up online it will be assumed that you will stay for tea, unless you let Wendy know otherwise.
Presentation evening, Thursday 19th November 2026
This year, our presentation evening will be at Beachlands hotel in Weston. It should be our usual fun affair.
To see the menu and select your choices online, click here. Otherwise, there is a tick list in the clubhouse - please put your name down, with your choice of food.
The cost will be £32 per head including a tip for the staff. If you'd like to come, names need to be in by Wednesday 16th September, including a £5 per head deposit to be paid to Bob behind the bar.
Look forward to seeing you there!
This week's match report
Over 55s league away to Mark Moor, 27/08/2026
We arrived at Mark Moor expecting to be playing in wets as weather forecast was reported as rain. But to our surprise the sun was shining with a slight breeze.
The green looked playable considering all the high temperatures we have been having, but then we noticed Mark Moor players putting sand on the green. They had been hit by hungry crows digging the green for food.
Onto the game, from the start rink 2 skipped by Lee P, rink 3 skipped by Phil V and rink 6 skipped by Mac K all took convincing leads which continued throughout the game. Rink 5 skipped by Dave W started well until the 11th end when one of Mark Moor players fell ill and had to be substituted. From then on Mark Moor pulled back to level on the 15th end and went on to win.
On rink 4 skipped by Mal L an even game, 17th end all square but dropped 2 on the final end. Out on rink 1 skipped by Paul A, Mark Moor slowly added the odd 1 or 2 to the score to which Banwell boys were unable to keep in contention.
Final score 117 (14 points) Banwell 77 (6 points) Mark Moor
Mal Laycock
Captain of the Day
North 2B away to Isle of Wedmore, 29/08/26
We arrived to find Wedmore's green under water after sudden heavy rain. The Wedmore team worked very hard with a pump and giant squeegees to remove the water, but the green remained squelchy when walked on. An inspection was to be held at 3pm to see if the green was playable, especially as an A team match was to be played alongside ours, and Wedmore were reluctant to cancel.
Sadly, one of the inspectors fell on the green during the inspection, so the game was cancelled on safety grounds.
Kim, on behalf of Harry Woodards
Captain of the Day
Over 55s league away to Isle of Wedmore, 03/09/26
I knew that we were in for a close game, with second playing third in the league at the end of the season. That's how it turned out - we both won three ends each. We lost the game by only 11 shots.
Phil Villis's rink was by far the best rink, winning by a clear 18 shots. Mac Kirby had a comfortable win by 8 shots. I think Paul Aldus's rink was the outstanding rink of the afternoon; unable to get on the score card and trailing by 11 shots, finding it difficult to win an end, they all never gave up. They gradually overhauled Wedmore and came out victors by 1 shot, giving Banwell another two points.
The other three rinks didn't fair too well, all losing by more than10 shots, so we couldn't beat Wedmore's score. Having said that and apportioning no blame to any side, from what I could see from the side lines, the green looked very heavy, plus there was a strong wind blowing into the faces of the players which made it very difficult. All I can say is very well done for not giving up - incidentally our B team went to Wedmore the week before. When they got there the green was completely flooded, so no wonder the green was heavy.
Scores were Banwell 90 shots, Wedmore 101 shots. Points awarded were Banwell 6, Wedmore 14. At the beginning of the season when we played Wedmore the scores were, Banwell 92 shots, Wedmore 101 shots, points were 4 - 16.
It looks likely that we will end third in the league. Thanks again for your hard work.
Allan Shattock
Over 55s captain
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