By David Kaner
On Sunday 3 May, a reduced Broadwas AC Team opened the 2026 season with the narrowest of away defeats against a strong team from Garway, way out in the wilds of Herefordshire.
In 2025, Broadwas won the West Midlands Federation AC League. Garway won the equivalent in the South West Federation, setting up a local derby in the first round of the national Secretary’s Shield.
John Guy was unable to join us. We all wish him a swift return to full health. Captain Stuart Smith (4½) led out Ian Dampney (6) and David Kaner (11) against Mark Oldale (2½), Simon Collinson (7), Bryan Gidley (8) and Andrew Bailey (9).
Garway is an AC-only club. They play on two lawns – one on the common opposite the Moon Inn, the other in Brent Watkins’ garden, ten minutes away along surprisingly narrow lanes rich in cow parsley.
The first challenge was to find the venue. Once we used the correct postcode, we arrived in good order without going down the farm track suggested by our first efforts.
The match was five games. One doubles and one singles in the morning, three singles in the afternoon.
Stuart and Ian elected to play doubles on the common against Mark and Andrew. The proximity of the pub was, perhaps, reassuring. The lawn was flat but rather slow. David had played in Brent’s garden before and agreed to be whisked away for his encounter with Bryan.
The doubles was a tremendous battle. With seconds to go, Broadwas drew level, only to be thwarted by Andrew’s extraordinary hoop shot from 10 feet away, just as time expired. On such small details turn the affairs of man. An opening win for Garway.
Meanwhile, David’s confidence in Brent’s lawn was rewarded. For this stage of the season, it was in remarkable shape. David played a tight game, keeping Byan’s two balls separated. A poor shot at 22-6 allowed Bryan a late comeback, but David regained the initiative and won 26-15 with time to spare.
One-all at lunch.
Stuart went back to the Common for a tough afternoon against Mark, eventually going down 26-15. Ian took on Simon in Brent’s garden. Simon was on tremendous form and powered to a 26-11 victory, despite several unsuccessful attempts to get black through the final hoop and a cooperative effort by all present to untangle the Laws of AC on two separate technical points.
David chose to double-bank on Brent’s lawn for his second game and took on Andrew. He used his two bisques quickly to build an early lead. What followed was a monumental tussle in the best traditions of sportsmanship, with both playing well and a growing crowd (Ian, Simon, Brent, Brent’s wife and a cat) going ooh! and aah! at each twist and turn. David came out on top – just, winning 18-17 on time. Phew!
The final result? Broadwas lost 3-2. The narrowest of margins. All down to that 10-foot hoop. A good day’s sport for all. The rain held off. And afterwards, the chocolate brownie was truly delicious. Our hopes for the Secretary’s Shield will have to wait for 2027.
David Kaner