Sprightly Berkeley Teams Carry the 2025 Tunnel Challenge Trophy Back Over the Hill

The Tunnel Challenge is the annual “home and home” tournament between Berkeley and our colleagues of the Rossmoor Lawn Bowling Club out in the hinterland near Walnut Creek. Atop the trophy for this fiercely friendly contest sits the Spanish phrase “Allende El Cerrito” which can be translated as “beyond” or “over” the hill—the latter an arch witticism, clever, yes, but feeding the myth that lawn bowling is the preserve of the gerontocracy. That doesn’t mean, however, we will not deign to display it proudly in our clubhouse, as we retained the shield for the third year in a row (and seventh of the last eight).

This year’s matchup was held on Saturday, April 12, which started out on the chilly side, but being literally over the hill and thus protected from the ocean breezes, the temperature warmed up quickly for a lovely bowling day. 

Each club put forth eight triples teams who played a 12-end game in the morning and the afternoon. Berkeley started out on the front foot, winning five and tying two of the morning games for a commanding lead of 12 points to 4 at lunchtime. And the foot remained pedal to the metal in the afternoon with a further 6 wins, 1 tie, and 1 loss. There were a number of quite close games (in addition to the ties) and a few “blowouts”—our team of Hugo, Ginger, and Ashok were in danger of falling afoul of the Constitution’s cruel and unusual punishment clause with their 25-2 victory in the afternoon. Here’s a link to the game scores.

Our Rossmoor hosts took the outcome with graciousness and humor and we thank them for their hospitality and camaraderie. Thanks also to all the Berkeley players who made it “beyond the hill” and back with the plaque in good hands for another year.

Rossmoor is a lovely place to bowl not only for the warmth and camaraderie of the Rossmoor club members but also the handsome setting of their three bowling greens. The greens are well tended and surrounded by a lovely set of trees, reminiscent of English arborial splendor. Each visit features a subtle soundtrack provided by Rossmoor’s abundant, natural life – hawks and turkeys come immediately to mind. It is a most pleasant place to visit.