Surrey League v Camberley IBC

SL Match Report

11/10/2025

Vs Camberley

The Donyngs Dragons travelled to the “far away” lands of Camberley over the North Downs in a journey that was reminiscent of a scene in Game of Thrones, when Tyrion arrived in King’s Landing to inform them that Daenerys’s Dragons were on their way! Unfortunately, the result of this news was not as positive as hoped!

Playing Camberley away always poses a tricky challenge at the start of the season, as they always put out a very strong team on a much quicker green than Sutton. This game was not any different and the Dragons were a little short on puff on the day !! The rink scores were as follows:

Rink 2 – Alex G (L), Bryan G (2nd), Kieth M (3rd) & Steve W (Skip) Score 29 – 16

Rink 3 – David H (L), Mike V (2nd), Wayne T (3rd) & David H (Skip) Score 9 – 22

Rink 4 – John H (L), David K (2nd), Ian F (3rd) & Ted R (Skip) Score 16 – 23

Score 54 - 61

Donyngs won one rink, lost two and lost overall, 4 points to 14

Rink 2 (top rink)– The Gaunt Dragons played together for the first time in the SL and proved to be too powerful for the Camberley front end. In the first six ends, the Donyngs rink was steady as they settled into the task ahead. Donyngs took an early lead by 8 shots to 6, after six ends, winning three of the first six ends. The rink then got down to devouring Camberley, winning three of the next six ends, and taking a lead of 23 shots to 10 after 12 ends. Camberley struggled on in the remaining six ends, but Donyngs had done the damaged. Donyngs won three of the last six ends of the game, to run out victorious by 29 shots to 16 after eighteen ends. At one stage in the game, Donyngs added seventeen shots in four ends. Donyngs won 9 of the eighteen ends played, with an average score of 3.2 shots per end won. 

Rink 3 – This rink struggled from the very beginning despite picking up three shots on the third end. Donyngs were behind after six ends by 4 shots to 8, winning only two of the first six ends. Camberley then exposed a weakness in the Dragons armor by switching to long jacks and winning five of the next six ends to takes a commanding lead of 19 shots to 5 after twelve ends. Unfortunately, Donyngs just couldn’t respond to the onslaught from Camberley and whilst the score doesn’t necessarily reflect the effort of the team, there were some rubs of the green which made a difference. Donyngs won three of the last six ends but were defeated 22 shots to 9. Donyngs won six of the eighteen ends with an average score of 1.5 shots per end won. 

Rink 4 – Donyngs got off to a steady start despite giving away a five on the second end. Donyngs won three of the first six ends but trailed Camberley by 5 shots to 9 after six ends. The Dragons then started to relax into the game picking up two fours in the next six ends and winning four of these six ends, to take the lead 15 shots to 14. Unfortunately, Camberley then responded to the pressure and stopped the dragon’s momentum, winning five of the last six ends to run out winners by 23 shots to 16. Donyngs won 8 of the eighteen ends with an average score of 2 shots per end won.

Overall, Donyngs won 22 (41%) of the 54 ends played at an average of 2.5 shots per end won. 

Donyngs were only one shot behind after ten ends, trailing by 37 shots to 38. In the next five ends Donyngs struggled overall to find some momentum to creep closer to Camberley and were down by 46 shots to 54, after fifteen ends. Unfortunately, on this occasion, the last three ends turned out to be unsuccessful for the Donyngs Dragons and despite outscoring Camberley by 8 shots to 7, Camberley were just better, and some say luckier, on the day.    

Great team effort everyone. Special thanks to Chris Allen who made the dark, dangerous journey over the Downs to Camberley as travelling reserve Dragon.  Thanks Chris! Congratulations, again to Camberley on getting the result. We look forward to the return game at home, in the Dragons Den!!!