What's On (From Penarth Times)

What's On

WHAT have a pub in Cardiff and a sports club in Penarth got in common? They both like bowls.

On Wednesday night last week, the Walkabout pub in Cardiff even had coverage of this sport on the screens right next to the Manchester United game. Not bad for a sport that many people think of as old fashioned!

But though the craze is just beginning, Penarth has been ahead of the game for some time.

There are many bowling clubs in the area. The Penarth Bowling Club in Rectory Road has been established since 1909. It's a private club that can boast 120 members in the summer, but more than 300 in the Winter.

Club captain Ron Birkby told the Times: "I've been playing bowls for about 20 years, but one member has been there for 36. Our members come in all ages and both sexes. Our youngest is 16 and our oldest is 86. It's a game for all the family - husbands, wives and their children.

"We have an indoor bowling green which is about two-thirds the length of an outdoor one. But it's not as short as Short Mat bowls, which is a different game altogether. See, it's not as boring as it may first appear. And we can play all year round, no matter what the weather."

The game is played with an even number of people, up to 4 on each side.

Each player has two throws of the bowls, called woods, which are now made of a composite of plastics. The game is played on a grass green which is approximately 40 metres long and six metres wide.

Players from each team take it in turn to roll their bowls towards a small white ball, called a jack. The object of the game is to get your side's bowls nearer to the jack than the bowls of the opposing team. There are a number of skills involved, each contender trying to get their bowls closer, or knock away the opposing team's efforts.

When all the bowls have been delivered, the game or 'end' is over. Points are scored by counting how many of one side's bowls are nearer to the jack than the other side's nearest bowl.

The winning team, depending on the number of members, is decided either by playing an agreed number of ends, or it can be the first team to reach a given number of points.

Ron added: "Many people enjoy the competitive side of the game. Members of our club have three qualified coaches available for lessons most of the time, from complete beginner if need be. In past years, we have had members go on to play for their county.

"But most come to enjoy the companionship and social side of our club." As the club is open most days throughout the year, the social side of bowls is very welcoming. Ron said: "I play up to six times a week sometimes. Whether it's just the light-hearted banter, or the friendly rivalry, it's all attractive."

Although the sport tends to draw people in their mid-40s, there is a strong junior section.

Ron said: "Many of the families who play in our club bring their children along for the company.

"It's not unknown for their kids to start playing as young as ten. We have a junior section that we would like to see get stronger."

Members recovering from illness find that the gentle exercise helps their recovery.