Knowlton Extreme Boule

Knowlton Church and Earthworks

Knowlton Church and Earthworks has a rich and unsettling history. This is a place where the ruins of a 12th century church sits right in the middle of a Neolithic earth work. It is where Christianity and paganism mingle, with the old ways winning it seems. The once nearby village was wiped out during the black death leaving only these remains, including the ancient yew trees. It is reputedly the most haunted place in Dorset, a living Pagan shrine. The earth ring that surrounds the church is said to keep the unwanted spirits in the rather than out!

Perfect for a round of extreme boule then.

Boule nestle in the ruins

Darren Woolridge took on Tim Wort amongst the ruins, both players employing a Jack God. A close battled ensued, Wort claiming his points in clusters, Woolridge more consistent in his approach.

It has to be said that Woolridge has struggled to find boule gold ever since winning the championship in 2011. In those halcyon days he served up the finest trifle in the land when it came to extreme bouling - in the years that have followed it has been more like offerings of stale jelly haphazardly speared by sponge fingers.

A pesky ghoul that has reputedly been seen at Knowlton. Interestingly it seems to be playing boule.

 

Boule gather under some ghostly lichen.

Wort has extreme bouled forever and plays with the deluded glaze of a man who thinks this year could be the one. It won't. Whisper it quietly but Woolridge is playing like the 2011 version- the accuracy it there, both the short and long game are honed and the nerve is strong. In the end Woolridge outwitted Wort and the ghosts of Knowlton, employing a new move in the process, Spectral Spin, to claim a victory which just could be a  launch pad to reclaiming the title and all the glory that brings.



What is probably a ghost, looks down on a boule round, which incidentally landed in ectoplasm.