2025 Spitfire League

Saturday 14th March 2026

Horley Win The Spitfire League

What an afternoon the club had at Donyngs Indoor Bowls Club on 11^th March.

We only went and won the final in our first year of competition!

In a tense, enjoyable afternoon of competition bowling Horley played Banstead Neville in the Semi-Final. A very close game which saw Horley leave it late to secure the win with a 6 on the last end by our middle rink hero’s. This great finish secured the win for Horley by 5 points and saw us through to final played 30 mins later against a very strong Redhill team.

The final was an even closer game again coming down and even past the wire!

Our middle rink heroes again struck on the last end holding there nerve brilliantly to score a magnificent 7 just missing a maximum Hot SHOT 8!

(Wing Commander Fawcett, Colin R, Allan, Harold )

With two rinks finished playing all eyes now moved to our third team on the difficult end rink. Tension was incredible for players and the many club members who came to watch. We were down on shots on that final end with the last bowl to be played everyone held their breath then up stepped Tony Buckee bowl in hand. He aimed and fired picking the jack up taking it to the ditch, leaving a difficult measure but – We had done it and wone by one shot!!

Very exciting, lots of hugs and whopping followed and of course a celebration team drink!

It was very Hard luck on Redhill & we did feel for them but what an exciting game they were part of.

Can we win next year? – We will be trying!

Team Captain – Wing Commander Lainey Fawcett

Wednesday 11th February 2026

The club’s final league game on 4^th February against a strong Reigate Priory team was a tense affair as with just 10 minutes to go we were two players short – Nerves were jangling! One player arrived straight from work then up stepped our heroine Sue Stone to play through the pain saving a penalty of 25% and playing pretty well ending on a winning rink.

Colin Rose as a lead played very well and helped set up a big win on rink 5 which offset quite a large loss on rink 4 , so it was down to our 3^rd team who just hung onto the win to give us the overall points and the 8-2 win.

Horley now have a place in the semi-finals on 11^th March at 2pm where we play Banstead Nevill who have a team of mostly experienced Donyngs members. This will be a tough match which I’m sure we can win to go through to the final played at 4.30pm same day and the chance to win some prize money for the club.

The finals day is full of atmosphere with people cheering on their outdoor cubs. We would love some support from Horley members. The bar and restaurant will be open if you wish to make a day of it.

Elaine Fawcett

Thursday 29th January 2026

Our ‘Spities’ have reached the penultimate game of the season in pole position in division A, one point ahead of second placed Reigate Priory.  Our last game is against The Priory on Wednesday 4th Feb 2pm which is a must win game taking us through to play division B winners in the final on the 11th March at 2pm. Prize money of £500 is shared down to 3rdplace.

Horley have performed exceedingly well considering in any of our games only half of the team are members of Donyngs, whereas pretty much all the Priory Team play regularly in leagues at the club. The most pleasing aspect of our new venture is the pleasure our team members have had bowling at Donyngsand when asked if they wanted to play in the league again next season the response was a resounding yes.

Supporters are always welcome to come along and watch the game and perhaps have a spot of lunch in the club’s restaurant, the bar is always open.

C’mon Horley!

Elaine Fawcett

Wednesday 12th November 2025

Our game on Wednesday 12^th November against Reigate Priory was a classic case of the match points not revealing how close the game was. Reigate Priory are a very strong indoor team as they all play at Donyngs as members, however this top of the table match proved a very close thing.

 Horley lost 2-8 – Wining on one rink by 1 shot after a ditch measure on the last end! And Lost by one shot on one rink however with the middle rink dropping a seven on the 15^th end there were not enough ends left to recover and Horley lost the match by those 7 shots!

All enjoyed the afternoon and in true warm Horley style stayed on to have a good old chat over a drink finally leaving at 8pm.

Next game is Wednesday 10^th December 2pm Vs Purely Bury – Spectators welcome the restaurant will be pen for lunch prior to the game.

29th October 2025

29^th October saw our indoor bowlers playing a strong mixed team from Caterham BC notching up their second win 8-2 in this dedicated outdoors/indoors league.

Horley fielded 5 changes to our teams from the first match showing we have strength in depth and the captain Elaine F fulfilling her promise to give everyone who signed up for the league a game at some point during this 6-match series.

Next match is 12^th November 4.30pm at Donyngs IBC versus Reigate Priory BC. All spectators are welcome to come and watch and perhaps enjoy a spot of lunch from the restaurant prior to the match, the bar will be open.