Club News

Clubhouse Base Is Cast

17 July 2019 / Webmaster / No comments

The new Clubhouse moved a step closer this week with the casting of the concrete base. Peter K and Bernard had started to prepare the ground last week by putting in timber pads to ensure that there was a level on which to lay the shuttering timbers.

Peter and Bernard returned yesterday when the timber was delivered to set up the shuttering for the concrete

So came the day of the big pour. At 10:30am this morning an army of people had arrived to push barrows, lay concrete and help with any job that was necessary. There were also members on hand to keep the labourers plied with tea and coffee. There were 4 people from the bowls club led by John Edwards, students Jai, Holly and Callum (special thanks to them for being up before lunch – sorry that was a studentish joke!). Club members who were on hand were Phil R, Keith N, Keith T, Peter K, Mike C, Tony N, Mike J, Bernard, Chich, Barbara & Judith. Steve H turned up to help but unfortunately had to leave when he found that the start had been delayed from 8am to 10:30am.

The arrival of the lorry with the concrete revealed the first problem – we had asked for and been promised a 5 metre chute to get the concrete to the bottom of the steps and straight into the barrows. Straight away we found that the chute on the lorry would only reach the gate!. John Edwards came to the rescue and with a piece of metal roofing, a couple of pallets and some plastic crates an improvised extension to the chute had been rigged up and we were up and running.

So at about 10:45am the big pour got underway

Bob on the hose wetting the ground for the concrete

Jai on the barrow as the concrete starts to flow

The first concrete goes in

Wheelbarrows at the ready

The first bay is well underway

Phil takes time out to pose!

Callum adds his barrowload

Holly takes a turn on the shovel

Mike with a shovel – a sight not often seen!

Then after about 50 minutes we had a base for our new Clubhouse.

A great big thank-you to all who gave up their time and put in a great team effort. We look forward to the installation of the building (under wraps in the background) now scheduled for 1 August.

Category: Working for the Club /

2019 Nations Veterans Cup Round-up

4 July 2019 / Webmaster / No comments

They think it’s all over ……………. well, the 2019 Nations Veterans Cup is now! After months of planning and preparation by the Monkstone Club, the weekend went by in a flash. Those who were there witnessed some excellent boules played for the most part under glorious Cardiff sunshine.

On Friday evening, the teams gathered in the Penylan Club for opening meal and the welcome speeches from Bob Pugh on behalf of the WPA and Mike Jones for the Monkstone Club.

The competition commenced with the traditional photoshoot before play got underway under the watchful eye of umpire Mike Pegg from England.

Three rounds were played on the first morning before the teams went in for an excellent lunch with Denmark 2 taking an early lead on 8 points followed by Scotland 2 on 7 points and Denmark 1, Jersey 1, Norway 1 and Wales 2 all on 6. Denmark were the clear leaders in the competition with 14 points followed by Norway on 9 and Wales 8.

So it was on to the afternoon with another four rounds to be played. As the thermometer rose so did the standard of play although there was a brief respite when it clouded over and the temperature dropped before it cleared again.

At the end of the first day’s play and with seven rounds played Norway 1 had taken a slight lead on 15 points with both Denmark 1 & 2 on 14 points. In the overall competition Denmark had taken an almost unassailable lead with 28 points followed by Norway on 20 and Holland on 18.

Teams then retired to the bar and then for another excellent dinner prepared and served by 5 very hard working members of the Monkstone club.

After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast the teams were ready for the final three rounds on Sunday morning. The weather again was very warm and demands for bottles of water continued at the same high rate as the previous day.

The big question was whether Norway or Holland could put together a late run to catch Denmark. When the results for Round 8 came in, Denmark had gained a further 5 points by beating Norway in both matches putting them on 33 points – with Holland only taking 3 points it meant that Denmark could not be caught. Whilst Denmark 2 had taken a 1 point lead over Denmark 1, the Best Team award could still go to either of the Denmark teams, Norway 1 or Holland 1.

So we came to lunch time and with Round 10 complete all that remained was to calculate the final scores. In the race for Best Team Denmark 1 came out on top with 24 points closely followed by Denmark 2 on 23 points and Norway 1 on 19 points. In the overall competition Denmark were declared 2019 Nations Veterans Cup winners with 47 points with second place going to Holland on 34 points.

Monkstone President Mike Jones presents the 2nd Place trophy to Holland

Mike presents the Winners trophy to Denmark

Mike presents the Best Team trophy to Denmark 1

The final scores recorded on the multi-function laser display scoreboard

The Final tables for the individual teams and for the nations

Almost, it seemed, as soon as it had started the 2019 Nations Veterans Cup was over with all the teams saying what a great time they had had in Cardiff and thanking the Monkstone Club for the work that had gone into the organisation of the competition and the excellent catering over the weekend.

And so it is on to ………..? for the 2020 edition of the competition.

Category: Competition, International /

NVC – Results after Day 1

29 June 2019 / Webmaster / No comments

After a great days play in glorious sunny Cardiff weather, Denmark find themselves in a strong position for the Nations title and will be very difficult to catch!

The Individual Team title is much closer with Denmark 1 & 2, Holland 1 and Norway 1 are neck and neck with with Jersey 1 still in with a great chance.