Hesketh Arms Bowling Club

IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2025

Please make a note of the following dates in your diaries. More details will be sent out in due course.

SATURDAY 18^th JANUARY 2025 –  AWARDS EVENING FOR THE 2024 SEASON – TO BE HELD AT THE CHURCHTOWN CONSERVATIVE CLUBMONDAY

MONDAY 17^th FEBRUARY 2025 – ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

LEAGUE SEASON REVIEW 2024 INTRODUCTION

At a time when many clubs are struggling for numbers to field teams in local leagues, it was pleasing that we were still able to enter 11 teams into 7 different leagues for the 2024 season. Several of our teams had a successful year, with one championship and two promotions being achieved, as well as a knockout cup win and a top division runners-up placing.

Please see below for further details. As a club, we are hoping to enter a second team into the Southport LV League for next season. Several members have expressed an interest in playing in this league, which takes place mainly on a Tuesday evening.

We will need to inform the league by January if we wish to put a additional team into this league, so if anyone is interested, please contact a member of the committee as soon as possible. 

SOUTHPORT VETERANS’ LEAGUE

Last year it was reported that the Merlins would be confident of making an immediate return to the 1st Division of the Southport Veterans’ League, having suffered relegation to Division 2. This proved to be justified as they dominated the division to finish as champions, losing just two out of 22 fixtures. Congratulations to the Merlins, who will now be looking to establish themselves in the top flight.

As the start of the season approached, it was looking very likely that the Hobbies would be unable to raise a team and have to withdraw from the league. However, several of the team were determined that the Hobbies would carry on and enough players, some completely new to league bowling, were recruited to keep the team going. Although they only won three league games and finished in 11th place in the 2nd Division, the Hobbies ended the season is style by winning the Dick Wareing Trophy, with a convincing win against Hoole Village Hall ‘B’ in the final, played at Tarleton Bowling Club.

Special mention must be made of John Hughes and John McCabe, along with all those have helped to keep this team going. On an individual level, Jim Halsall had another outstanding year, finishing the season with a 100% record, winning all of the 21 league games he played and finishing top of the divisional merit. Well done Jim !!

Merlins Merit Winner – Jim Halsall (21 wins) Hobbies Merit Winner – Alex Rimmer (15 wins)

SOUTHPORT LV LEAGUE

The Club was honoured to hold the Presidency of the Southport LV League for the 2024 season and ran a successful President’s Day at the beginning of June. The competition was won by Steve McManus, representing Scarisbrick NSC, who defeated Mike Whiteley (Tarleton B.C.) in the final. Once again, our thanks go to the Churchtown Conservative Club for allowing us to use their facilities for hosting the buffet lunch.In the league season, the Eagles again competed strongly at the top of the Premier Division, finishing as runners-up to Scarisbrick NSC ‘A’.

Eagles Merit Winner – Mike Milne (13 wins)

AUGHTON SENIOR CITIZENS’ LEAGUE

The Club continued to run two teams in the Aughton League on a Wednesday afternoon, with George Hitchmough captaining the Hawks and the Kestrels being led again by Mike Burrill. The Kestrels had maintained their place in the 1st Division whilst the Hawks were playing in the 2nd Division.

The Kestrels were unlucky to finish in 9th position, just 4 points behind Aughton Institute ‘A’ and could be relegated, subject to the structuring of the league in 2025.

The Hawks had an excellent season, winning 14 of their matches to bounce straight back to the top division. Well done to George and all the Hawks players

Kestrels Merit Winner – Jim Halsall (12 wins) Hawks Merit Winner – Terry Corfield (14 wins)

MAGHULL LEAGUE

We continued to have two teams playing in the Maghull League on a Monday evening. The Owls (“A” team) were competing in the strong 1st Division and for the third consecutive season finished in 4th place. In the 2nd Division, the Sparrowhawks (“B” team) were again captained by John Townsend and they enjoyed an excellent season. Winning 15 out of the 20 league fixtures, they finished in 2nd place to secure promotion to the 1st Division for 2025. Congratulations to John and all his team.

Owls Merit Winner – Andy Draper (15 wins) Sparrowhawks Merit Winner – Alan Hatton (14 wins)

BURSCOUGH & LATHOM LEAGUE

We again had two teams competing in the top division of the Burscough & Lathom League, one of the strongest leagues in the area. The Vultures again performed well, winning 12 out of their 16 games to finish in 3rd place. They had another good run in the Knockout Trophy to reach the final, where they lost out to champions Bretherton ‘A’.

The Ospreys, under the captaincy of Mark Rowlinson, had done well in 2023 to maintain their top division status but this time struggled for wins and ended the season in 9th position.

 Vultures Merit Winner – Andy Draper (12 wins) Ospreys Merit Winner – Jim Halsall (6 wins)

SOUTHPORT LADIES’ LEAGUE

After two successful seasons in the Southport Ladies’ League, the Buzzards were again competing in the top division of the Ladies’ Afternoon League. In the strong 1st Division, the Buzzards finished in 7th place. The Committee would like to thank Debbie Barnes and her team for organising another successful doubles competition, which they ran for the second time in 2024.  A great day was had by all who attended and proceeds on the day of £250 went towards club funds. Many thanks to all involved.

Buzzards Merit Winner – Noreen Lewis (8 wins)

SOUTHPORT PARKS LEAGUE

The Kites, having narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier Division due to league re-structuring, again struggled for wins and won just three of their sixteen matches to finish in 9th place. Should relegation to the 1st Division be confirmed, they will be looking to bounce straight back to the top flight in 2025.

Kites Merit Winner – Kevin Leddy (8 wins)

I regret to have to inform you of the passing of our Honorary Vice President Bernard O’Malley.

Bernard passed away after a short illness 0n Wednesday morning. Bernard’s wife Joan sadly also passed away some 3 weeks ago.

Those of you who met Bernard will remember him as a charming and humble man with a very good business acumen, starting a local produce merchants in the early 1970s and with the help of his sons it has been turned into a multinational produce merchants.

Bernard and Joan were great benefactors to many local organisations, sports clubs, associations, and they also supported many local community projects as well as the church.

Bernard and Joan will be greatly missed by the many people whose lives they touched,

I will inform you of funeral arrangements when known.

NEWSLETTER – OCTOBER 2024LAST CHANCE CUP

The last club competition of the season took place at the end of September when we played for the Last Chance Cup. This is a random pairs, with pairings being drawn on the day. There was a close semi-final in which Sue Davies and Jim Halsall held a healthy lead before being edged out 21-19 by Darren Edgerley and Gareth Taylor. Darren and Gareth faced another strong pairing in the final when they were up against Bill Bloor and Pat McArthur but from 7-8 behind, Darren and Gareth counted 8 chalks in 3 ends to establish a lead they held on to, the final score being 21-11. Congratulations to Gareth on his first club competition win at the Hesketh Arms.

A plate competition was held and this was won by Peter Croston and Alex Rimmer with a 15-12 win in a closely fought final against Brian Sutton and Tony Wakefield

SOUTHPORT VETERANS’ LEAGUEHESKETH MERLINS

Congratulations to George Hitchmough and his Merlins team on winning Division 2 of the Southport Veterans’ League. They secured a quick return to the top flight by winning 20 out of their 22 matches to finish a convincing 24 points clear of runners-up Hesketh Bank.Well done to Jim Halsall on finishing the season unbeaten in this league, winning all 21 of the matches he played, to finish top of the divisional averages with an impressive aggregate of +202.

HESKETH HOBBIES

At the start of the season, the Hobbies were in serious danger of folding due to a shortage of players. However, several of the players were determined to keep the team going and were able to recruit several members new to league bowling. Well done to everyone involved in the Hobbies this season and in particular to captain John Hughes and his vice-captain, John McCabe. Although the team struggled for the wins in the league, they ended the season in style by winning the Dick Wareing Knockout Trophy, defeating Hoole Village Hall ‘B’ 7-3 in the final played at Tarleton Bowling Club.

John Burke, a social member, has passed away . He’s been ill for some time.

Although he won’t be well known to many members, he was a regular attendee at social bowling.

He will be missed by all who knew him.

VICE-PRESIDENTS PAIRS TROPHY

Congratulations to Kez Adams and Louis Fazakerley on winning the Vice-Presidents Pairs Trophy, defeating Chris Harding and Mike Milne in the final. Chris and Mike had taken an early lead in the final, winning four of the first seven ends to hold a 9-7 advantage but were only to win one more end as Kez and Louis ran out 21-10 winners.

SOUTHPORT LV LEAGUE – HESKETH EAGLES

Well done to the Hesketh Eagles on again finishing runners-up in the Premier Division of the Southport LV League. With the addition of several new recruits to the team, they put up a strong performance to finish 31 points ahead of the 3rd placed team, London Tigers. Next season, they will be looking to close the gap on the champions, Scarisbrick NSC ‘A’.

SOUTHPORT VETERANS LEAGUE – HESKETH HOBBIES

Good luck to the Hobbies in the final of the Dick Wareing Trophy. The match will take place on Monday 7th October, when they take on Hoole Village Hall ‘B’ at Tarleton Bowling Club.

ROUND ROBINS

The Club’s final Round Robin of 2024 will take place on Friday 27th September. Many thanks to Peter and Lynne Smith for hosting these sessions and to anyone who has assisted in any way at these events during the course of the season.

CLUB COMPETITION – DATE FOR YOUR DIARY

Sunday 29th September – Last Chance Cup (random doubles with plate) 12.00 pm start.

Members are reminded that the final club competition of the season will be the Last Chance Cup and this will be held on Sunday 29th September. This will be a random doubles, with pairings drawn on the day and there will be a plate competition for pairs losing their first game.

Please register at the green on the day by 11.45 am, to allow time for the draw to made, ensuring a prompt start at 12 noon.

GREEN CLOSURE 2024

The Green will be closing on Sunday the 6^th of October.

A Southport Vets Cup Final will be played on the green on Monday the 7^th of October between Banks A and Zetland commencing 1pm

Sunday 15th September – Vice-Presidents Pairs Trophy (non-random doubles, no plate) 12.00 pm start.

Members are reminded that the next competition at the club will take place this Sunday 15th September when we will be playing for the Vice-Presidents Pairs Trophy. This is a non-random doubles, in which members can play with a partner of their own choice from within the club.

To enter, please register at the green by 11.45am, to enable a prompt 12 noon start.

LAST CHANCE CUPSunday 29th September – Last Chance Cup (random doubles with plate) 12.00 pm start.

The final club competition of the season will be the Last Chance Cup and this will be held on Sunday 29th September. This will be a random doubles, with pairings drawn on the day and there will be a plate competition for pairs losing their first game.

Please register at the green on the day by 11.45 am, to allow time for the draw to made, ensuring a prompt start at 12 noon.

MAGHULL LEAGUE – HESKETH SPARROWHAWKS

Congratulations to the Sparrowhawks on finishing runners-up in Division 2 of the Maghull Monday Night League. Captained by John Townsend, the team won an impressive 15 games out of 20, which was actually one more than champions Brooklands.

BURSCOUGH LEAGUE – HESKETH VULTURES

The Vultures had another impressive season in the Burscough & Lathom Bowling League. At the end of the league campaign, having finished in 3rd place in the 1st Division, they put up a staunch defence of the Knockout Trophy they won in 2023. As holders, they had to concede an extra ten chalks on the handicap but despite this, comfortably overcame Bretherton ‘B’, Croston Black Horse, and Longton VM ‘B’ to reach the final.

Their opponents in the final were champions Bretherton ‘A’ but despite the teams having four winners each, they had to settle for being runners-up. Congratulations to captain Chris Harding and his team on another excellent season competing at the top level of one of best leagues in the area.

I have to inform you of the death of Neil Thompson.

Neil played most of his bowls at the Botanic Bowling club but was a regular member of the Hesketh Kestrels in the Aughton Vets League.

Many of you will not know Neil but he was a loyal player to the Kestrels.

The funeral is at Southport crematorium on Wednesday the 18^th of September at 3pm.

The sixth staging of the Hesketh Arms Open Singles competition took place on Saturday, when a full turnout of 32 bowlers battled it out for the title and the £200 first prize. 

In the top half of the draw, Fergal Wright was in impressive form, reaching the final with convincing wins against Steve McManus, Darren Evans, Neil Gregson and in the semi-final, Paul Reardon from the Brownmoor Brooke club in Crosby. Paul had reached the last four with wins against Haydn Preece, Aaron Backhouse and Andy Fleming. 

In the bottom half of the draw, Darren Edgerley reached the quarter-finals with wins against Dave Gordon and Brian Coleman. The quarter-final saw Darren win a close match against Liam Gregson from Skem Park Rebels 21-18, before an even tougher match in the semi-final against Andy Draper from the host club. This game could have gone either way but it was Darren who edged it 21-20.

The final saw Darren win the first two ends but Fergal then won 12 out of the next 13 to establish a 14-6 lead. Although Darren won five ends out of the next six, Fergal was able to maintain his excellent form to win a high quality final 21-11. This was Fergal’s first Hesketh Arms Open Singles title, having previously lost in two finals, including two years ago against Darren.

·  Many thanks to BIRKDALE INSURANCE GROUP for their support in sponsoring this competition. 

·  Thank you to everyone who came along on the day and helped out with marking cards. 

·  Thanks also to our referees, Peter and Mary Fishwick, who provided invaluable help in ensuring that the event ran smoothly.

·  Thank you to our greenkeeper, Andy Bate, for once again preparing an excellent playing surface.

·  Finally, special thanks go to our Vice-President, Bill Bloor, who worked hard all day serving drinks and sandwiches and was on hand at the end to present the prizes.

We look forward to seeing everyone again in 2025 for our Open Doubles and Open Singles competitions.

FLOODLIT TROPHY

Congratulations to Chris Harding and Mike Milne on winning the Floodlit Trophy, with a 15-9 win in the final against Kez Adams and Darren Edgerley.

AUGHTON LEAGUE – HESKETH HAWKS

Congratulations to the Hawks on finishing as runners-up in Division 2 of the Wednesday afternoon Aughton League. Captained by George Hitchmough, the team won 14 out of their 18 games, to finish just four points champions Ainsdale ‘A’.

SOUTHPORT FEDERATION

The Southport Federation team’s final league match of the season resulted in an 18-14 victory against Bury. This saw them finish just two points behind Heywood to narrowly miss out on promotion to Division 4.

The home leg of the match was held at the Hesketh Arms and thanks go to all those members who came along to support the team and especially to those who helped out with marking cards, selling raffle tickets etc. The result of the home leg was a 9-3 win for Southport, which included wins for Chris Porter (21-11) and Andy Draper (21-5).

The away team travelled to Dobbies Sports & Social Club in Radcliffe, coming away with three winners and these were Kez Adams (21-13), Mark Wilde (21-9) and Mike Milne (21-18).

As a result of finishing second, Southport will remain in Division 5 and will be hoping to go one better in 2025.

The final league standings were as follows :-

                                      PLAYED          POINTS

1. Menai                      4                      87 points

2. Heywood                 4                      71

3. Southport                4                      69

4. Doncaster                4                      49

5. Bury                          4                      44

OPEN SINGLES – SPONSORED BY BIRKDALE INSURANCE GROUP

Members are reminded that the Club’s Open Singles competition will be held on Saturday 31st August.  Although the competition is currently fully subscribed, we are taking names for a reserve list and anyone wishing to be added to this list should contact Mike Milne (07752352065) or Chris Harding (07761733024). The entry fee is £10.00 and total prize money for the event is £540.00, with £200.00 going to the winner. The first session starts at 10.00 am and help on the day with marking and measuring would be greatly appreciated.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Although the 2024 season will soon be reaching it’s final stages, there are still two club competitions to be played and it would be good to end the season on a high note with good turnouts for these events.

Sunday 15th September – Vice-Presidents Pairs Trophy (non-random doubles, no plate) 12.00 pm start.

Sunday 29th September – Last Chance Cup (random doubles with plate) 12.00 pm start.

FLOODLIT TROPHY

The next club competition will be the Floodlit Trophy, which will take place on Saturday 17th August, starting at 5.00pm. This will be a non-random pairs and the format will be decided once the number of pairs taking part is known. We have used a round robin / group stage format in the past for this event which guarantees all pairs more than one game. If possible, we will use this format again this year.

To enter, please register at the green, on the day, by 4.45pm

SOUTHPORT FEDERATION

The Southport Federation team play their final National League fixture of the season this Sunday, 11th August, when they take on Bury in a match they need to win to give themselves a chance of promotion to Division 4 of the National league.

We are pleased to be hosting the home leg of the match at the Hesketh Arms and the Hesketh will be represented by Andy Draper and Chris Porter. The start time is 2.00pm and support will be very welcome, along with help marking cards.

The away team will travel to play at Dobbies Sports and Social Club in Radcliffe and the Hesketh Arms’ players selected to play are Kez Adams, Darren Edgerley, Mike Milne, Mark Wilde and Fergal Wright.  

The league standings going into the final round of fixtures are as follows :-

                  PLAYED           POINTS

1. Heywood                       4                   71 points

2. Menai                          3                   59

3. Southport                      3                   51

4. Doncaster                      3                   45

5. Bury                                3                   30

OPEN SINGLES – SPONSORED BY BIRKDALE INSURANCE GROUP

The Open Singles competition being held on Saturday 31st August is now full.  We are taking names for a reserve list and anyone wishing to be added to this list should contact Mike Milne (07752352065) or Chris Harding (07761733024). The entry fee is £10.00 and total prize money for the event is £540.00, with £200.00 going to the winner. The first session starts at 10.00 am and help on the day with marking and measuring would be greatly appreciated.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Sunday 15th September – Vice-Presidents Pairs Trophy (non-random doubles, no plate) 12.00 pm start.

Sunday 29th September – Last Chance Cup (random doubles with plate) 12.00 pm start.