LATEST NEWS

Our final competition of the year will be the Floodlit Pairs on Friday 18 September. For more information including details of how to enter please see the Upcoming Events page. 

Our latest competition was the Merit Cup on Sunday 6 September.  28 players decided to take a tilt at winning the coveted trophy in this straight knock out competition. The early rounds saw excellent bowling from everyone with some really close games including three absolute cliffhangers which were decided by a single point. As the early heavy rain showers thankfully faded away the competition began to take shape. All four quarter finals were really close games with Irene Stafford, Bec O'Brien, Craig McKernon and Derek Stafford being the unfortunate ones to be on the losing side of their games. 

On to the semi-finals where the competitors, freshly energised by the fantastic pies supplied by Tony, put on a great show. Hard-fought games saw Chris Haslam and Tim Lynch fall at  this hurdle to Mike Lucas and David Deighton respectively.  The final was nip and tuck in the early stages with nothing to split the players at the half-way point, the score at 11-11. Mike's pie must have contained more energy than David's though as he put a great run together to open up a lead which he was able to maintain to cross the finishing line. Mike is pictured being presented with the trophy by Kevin Lawton (along with David looking rueful about his choice of pie). 

The Graham Hill Trophy took place on Sunday 12 July. A beautiful sunny day saw 30 competitors taking part, quite a few of them bowling for the first time. This included a couple of our esteemed bar staff. I thought they were sneaking off work but then I saw that our steward Adele was playing too!  Gladly they made sure someone was behind the bar at all times to supply much needed liquid refreshment. 

The competition began with three round-robin games. There was excellent bowling from everyone (especially well done to the newer players) and some very close games. The top 8 then qualified for the knockout stages, the bespoke handicapping system ensuring that this was a mixture of newer and more experienced bowlers. As the pressure mounted experience began to tell, though well done to Keith Wright who fought through to the semi-finals on his competitive debut. Alas just like Arthur Fery at Wimbledon the dream was not to be and Keith along with David Deighton were defeated by Craig McKernon and Scott Longley respectively. The final started cagily before Craig got into a great run of form to build a  commanding lead. A late rally from Scott was not enough and Craig got that all important final point. He is pictured being presented with the trophy by Isobel Hill and helpers. Thank you to everyone who took part or otherwise contributed to the day raising over £500 for the British Heart Foundation in memory of Graham.  

Following the qualifying days for our Inter-Team Trophy on 3 May and 17 May we were blessed with surprisingly good weather for the finals of that competition on 14 June.  4 combined teams representing 7 of our league sides took part. The Dobbers/Tameside Vets B and Chadderton/Failsworth league teams battled it out in the final with the latter just edging it to retain the trophy they won last year. Those members of the winning team (plus helper) who were still around at the end are pictured with the trophy. The Oldham Ladies/Ladies Vets A team claimed 3rd spot in a close match against The Dobcross Bees.

On Sunday 24 May we held The Steward's Cup.  Phew, what a scorcher! 30 players braved the rising mercury, blue skies and fabulous views out towards Pots & Pans and the hills above Dovestone to play out our latest competition - bowling can be so tough at times!  Three round-robin rounds saw some superb bowling from everyone. With handicaps in place our newer bowlers were hoping to win a place in the knockout stage. Unfortunately it was not to be on this occasion but special mention must go to our club steward Adele Taylor and her daughter Meredith who both secured wins in their first competitions and after only a couple of days of first picking up a bowl. Well done to you both! 

That left the knockout stage to be contested by 4 more experienced bowlers. Hard-fought semi-finals saw Chris Marsden and Craig McKernon win out against Barry Ulyatt and Stephen Ives. The final was a great game.  After a tight start the game was level at 5-5 before Craig put a run together to pull away. Chris rallied however to pull back to within 4 points but Craig held his nerve to seal the win. Well done to Craig in his first season coping with the non-flat surfaces of Crown Green bowling! He is pictured being presented with the trophy by Adele and Meredith. 

Thank you to Adele for sponsoring the day and to everyone who took part helping to raise a brilliant £160 in aid of Dr Kershaw's Hospice.

Our first competition of the year the Green Opening/Easter Cup was held on Sunday 12 April. Club President Terry Lawless officially opened the green by bowling the first bowl of the season. Some initial rustiness was superseded by a beautifully smooth delivery from Terry. He'll deny it but has he been fitting in some quiet practice? Terry is pictured in what can only be described as a classic bowling pose. 

The competition itself was a straight knock-out competition with no handicaps. A typical cool April day featuring a mixture of strong winds, rain, sunshine and a couple of hail showers saw a great turnout of 32 competitors vying for the trophy. Despite the lack of handicaps some brilliant bowling in the early rounds from our newer bowlers resulted in wins over more experienced players - well done to you all! As the showers stopped and the sun came out the semi finals were both closely fought games with Mark Regan and Stan Matley falling at that stage to Chris Marsden and Mike Lucas respectively. In the final Mike started strongly to pull away into a commanding lead only for Chris to claw his way back into it with some excellent bowling. In a tight finish Mike just edged it to claim the win. Mike and Chris are pictured with the trophy.  

ANY NEW BOWLERS OUT THERE?

If anyone is interested in joining the bowling section to play either in one of our league teams or perhaps as a social bowler please contact either Mike Lucas on 07746 876947 or Jane Lucas on 07593 349964.