In terms of entrants, the RBSC Invitational two bowls triples competition in Bangkok is the biggest on the bowling calendar. This year saw a record 84 teams entering this prestigious event, a 5-day competition from the 9th to the 13th of July. The teams came from all over Asia, with entrants from, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Philippians, Vietnam and of course, Thailand.
Thailand’s representatives, included teams from the RBSC club which also featured some of the Thai international team who recently returned from the Asian games in Australia. The Retreat Pattaya had three teams, the Retreat Red, the Retreat Green and the Retreat Blue.
The Green team(John Parkinson, Darren Chatwin and Chris Bailey) were looking to go one better than the previous year when they were narrowly beaten by Malaysia’s international team in the final. The Red team(Colin Brocklehurst, Alan Austin and Kyle Smith) full of experience and expectation and the Blue Team (Willian Bone, Aaron James New and Peter Barnes) all having played in the event before.
After a grueling four days, 62 of the teams were eliminated. Unfortunately, our Blue team fell at that hurdle. But as the event was split into the main event(16) and the plate event(16) the Retreat managed to get the other two teams into the last 16 of the main event. The Red team, despite a sterling effort, fell at this hurdle, leaving the Green team to fly the flag as they eased their way into the quarter final, a match beamed live on Facebook.
From an initial 84 teams, to find yourself in the quarter finals would be a great achievement, but the Green team were not planning on stopping there. Two victories later, they found themselves, for the second year running, in the main final, but this time to face local favorites RBSC A.
A final that ebbed and flowed with some top-quality bowls from all players, there could only be one winner. And despite the Retreat Green’s valiant attempt to land the spoils, they were to fall short again, being on the wrong end of an 19-18 score line.
A few days after the event finished, the Retreat was happy to welcome over thirty bowlers from Honk Kong, who, having use d the facility before were keen to add this trip to their itinerary. A competition was organized, which included Retreat regulars and our guests. Although we ran a competition, the intensity of Bangkok disappeared and everyone was able to relax, enjoy the bowls, the first-class food as well as a dip in the pool.

Looking for something new?
Lawn bowls is a game that almost anyone can play. It’s fun, is a great form of exercise and the camaraderie and banter has to seen to be believed. Anyone interested in giving it a try join us at the Retreat Lawn Bowls Club in Nong Prue (Soi 87 off Sukhumvit) 15 minutes outside of Pattaya
We are open seven days a week 1000- 1800. We cater for all standards of bowlers and free tuition is available. Just turn up or call 0995454272 for more details. We look forward to seeing you.