LAST CHANCE CUP The Club’s latest internal competition was a random doubles, with pairings drawn on the day. In the top half of the draw, Darren Edgerley and Roger Van Beever progressed to the final with wins against Terry Corfield and Alan Lloyd (21-11), Sue Andersen and Len Southworth (21-17) and in the semi-final, the strong pairing of Bill Bloor and Pat McArthur (21-11). In the bottom half of the draw, the experienced pairing of Peter Croston and Jim Howard survived close encounters to overcome Jill Lloyd and Peter Smith (21-20) and George Hitchmough and Ray Sutton (21-19). The final was close all the way through and it was hard to pick a winner, with the score after 17 ends being 15-14 to Darren and Roger. However, two 3s in the next three ends saw Darren and Roger secure victory, the final score being 21-17. This was Darren’s second pairs success of the season, having won the Spring Pairs with Sue Andersen but congratulations to Roger on winning his first Hesketh club competition and with it, qualification for the Club’s 2022 Champion of Champions.
2021 WINNERS Rover Van Beever Darren Edgerley
The Plate competition was won by Mike Milne and Norma White, with the runners-up being Debbie Barnes and Dave White.
2 Places are still available in the Open Pairs Competition
The Club’s next internal competition will take place this coming Sunday, 22nd August, when we will be competing for the Last Chance Cup. This will be a random doubles, with pairings drawn on the day. There will be a plate competition for pairs knocked out in their first game. Please register by 11.45am so that the draw can be made in time for a 12 noon start.
BERNARD O’MALLEY VICE-PRESIDENTS TROPHY – OPEN DOUBLES
Places are still available in the Club’s open doubles competition, which will take place on Sunday 5th September. We have so far received entries from a good mix of club members, local bowlers and pairs from areas further afield such as Warrington, Wigan, Liverpool and Preston.
The later start times are now full but there are slots free at 10.00am and 10.45am. The entry fee is £10 per pair and to enter please contact Chris Harding (07761733024) or Mike Milne (07752352065 / michaelmilne66@outlook.com )
Total prize money will be £320, paid out as follows :-
Saturday 25th September – The Floodlit Trophy (5.00pm start) – non-random doubles with the early stages played in a group format.
Last year we tried an evening doubles competition as an alternative to our existing events. This season, we will hold the Floodlit Trophy on Saturday 25th September, starting at 5.00pm. This will be a non-random pairs, with the early stages being played in a group format, ensuring that all pairs will get more than more than one game. Please register by 4.45 pm so that the draw can be made in time to allow for a prompt start.
GREEN BOOKING
Saturday 28th August – The Churchtown Conservative Club’s B.J.P.O’Malley President’s Trophy – this competition is now full but please enquire at the Conservative Club if you are a member of that club and wish to be added to the reserve list.
On Saturday 31st July, the Club was proud to host the Burscough League President’s Day. The Presidency of this league is held by each club in turn on a rota basis and this was the first time the Hesketh Arms has had the honour of holding this position. Our nomination as President was Chris Harding, who has played in the league for over thirty years.
In total, 32 players from clubs throughout the league and guests of the President took part in the competition which was won by Brian Coleman from Fleetwood Hesketh, defeating our own Steve McManus in the final.
Many thanks to all those who supported this event by taking part, spectating, marking and measuring but in particular to the following :-
The Churchtown Conservative Club for allowing us to use their facilities for the serving of the buffet.
Brian Whitley of the Conservative Club for his help in preparing the tea.
The bar staff of the Conservative Club.
George Hitchmough for his work in planning and organising the event.
Sue Davies and Lynne Smith for their help with refreshments on the day.
Jon Roberts for his assistance with the catering and selling raffle tickets.
Graham Meadow for his work in preparing the green.
Finally, to Keith Robinson and David Taylor from the Burscough League for their work in running the competition on the day.
Keith Robinson (League Secretary), Brian Coleman (Winner), Steve McManus (Runner-Up) and League President, Chris HardingWinner BRIAN COLEMAN & Burscough League President CHRIS HARDING
BERNARD O’MALLEY VICE-PRESIDENTS TROPHY – OPEN DOUBLES
Entries are still being taken for the Club’s Open Doubles competition. The Bernard O’MalleyVice-President’s Trophy, which is held in honour of our generous Honorary Vice-President, will take place on Sunday 5th September. The entry fee is £10 per pair with starting times at 10.00 am, 10.45 am, 11.30 am and 12.15 pm. The 11.30 start time is now full but places remain available at 10.00 am, 10.45 am and 12.15 pm.
Total prize money will be £320, paid out as follows :-
To enter please contact Chris Harding (07761733024) or Mike Milne (07752352065 / michaelmilne66@outlook.com )
All games will be 21 up, with 3 on the card.
SOUTHPORT FEDERATION
The Southport Federation team’s July fixture resulted in a convincing 26 points to 6 victory over Cheshire Parks.
The home leg took place at Scarisbrick NSC, with Southport having 9 winners and winning the aggregate by 76 chalks. Of the Hesketh Arms players, there were wins for Mike Milne (21-6), Mark Wilde (21-8), Fergal Wright (21-9), Ali Adams (21-13) and Chris Porter (21-13).
The away team travelled to Woodley Sports in Stockport and came away with an impressive 9-3 win, the best away performance in the history of the Southport Federation. Our two representatives in the away side both had good wins, Ray Atkinson winning 21-19 and Darren Edgerley sharing the sweep with a 21-8 success.
The team’s final fixture takes place in September when they play Fylde ‘B’ and they will be looking to continue their good form and clinch first place in Division 7 of the National League.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Sunday 22nd August – The Last Chance Cup (12.00pm start) – random doubles with plate.
Saturday 25th September – The Floodlit Trophy (5.00pm start) – non-random doubles with the early stages played in a group format.
GREEN BOOKINGS
Saturday 28th August – The Churchtown Conservative Club’s B.J.P.O’Malley President’s Trophy – random pairs competition open to any member of the Conservative Club.
BERNARD O’MALLEY VICE-PRESIDENTS TROPHY – OPEN DOUBLES
Entries are now being taken for the Club’s Open Doubles competition. The Bernard O’MalleyVice-President’s Trophy, which is held in honour of our generous Honorary Vice-President, will take place on Sunday 5th September. The fee is £10 per pair with starting times at 10.00 am, 10.45 am, 11.30 am and 12.15 pm. Total prize money will be £320, paid out as follows :-
Ali Adams ; Kez Adams ; Terry Corfield ; Darren Edgerley ;
John Hughes ; Kevin Leddy ; Len Southworth ; Roger Van Beever
Tuesdays 14th and 21st September – LV Pairs
Entries received from our members so far :
Ray Atkinson & John Baker ; Jeff Brown & Roger Van Beever ;
Darren Edgerley & John Hughes ; Chris Harding & Mike Milne ;
Kevin Leddy & Len Southworth
Both these competitions are open to any player who has played at least one game in the LV League this season. If anyone else would like to enter, please inform your LV League team captain or email Brian Coleman briancoleman236@gmail.com
SPRING PAIRS PLATE
Congratulations to George Hitchmough and Noel Morgans on winning the re-arranged Spring Pairs Plate final with a 21-20 win against Sue Davies and Chris Harding.
PLATE WINNERS NOEL MORGANS & GEORGE HITCHMOUGH
SOUTHPORT FEDERATION
The Southport Federation team’s next match takes place on Sunday 25th July when the opponents will be Cheshire Parks.
The home leg is being held at Scarisbrick NSC (Bullens Lane) and will start at 2.00 pm. The Hesketh Arms will be represented here by Ali Adams, Kez Adams, Mike Milne, Chris Porter, Mark Wilde and Fergal Wright. Any support will be very welcome.
The away team will be travelling to the Woodley Sports Club in Stockport and will include Ray Atkinson and Darren Edgerley.
BURSCOUGH LEAGUE PRESIDENT’S DAY
On Saturday 31st July, we will be hosting the Burscough League President’s Day, with this year’s President being Chris Harding. The event starts at 12.00 pm and any help on the day with marking and measuring would be greatly appreciated. Also, any donations of raffle prizes will be very welcome.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Sunday 22nd August – The Last Chance Cup (12.00pm start) – random doubles with plate.
Saturday 25th September – The Floodlit Trophy (5.00pm start) – non-random doubles with the early stages played in a group format.
GREEN BOOKINGS
Saturday 31st July – Burscough League President’s Day – spectators welcome.
Congratulations to Chris Porter on being the first winner of the Club’s Champion of Champions competition. This was open to members who had won one of the Club’s internal competitions or team merits in the 2020 season. It is expected that this will become an annual event to be held early in the season. The trophy presented to the winner of this event previously belonged to the old Blowick Hotel Bowling Club and was last played for in the 1960s. It is therefore an interesting piece of Southport bowling history.
Chris achieved his success yesterday with comfortable victories over Mike Milne, Jim Halsall, Brian Sutton and Graham Meadow. Graham’s semi-final opponent in the bottom half of the draw was Jason Chapman. This win completed a remarkable hat-trick of singles wins for Chris this season, having previously won the Championship Cup and the President’s Cup.
WINNER CHRIS PORTER
FINALISTS Chris Porter & Graham Meadow
SEMI FINALISTS Brian Sutton & Jason Chapman
CORONATION CUP AND SPRING PAIRS PLATE FINAL
On Sunday 18th July, we will play the semi-finals and final of the Coronation Cup, which has been running throughout the season. This will commence at 1.00 pm and spectators are welcome to attend. This will be followed by the delayed final of the Spring Pairs Plate at approximately 3.00 pm.
CORONATION CUP SEMI-FINAL FIXTURES (1.00PM START)
Chris Harding (+2) v Roy Webster (+4)
Brian Sutton (+4) v Fergal Wright (+2)
SPRING PAIRS PLATE FINAL (APPROXIMATE START 3.00PM)
George Hitchmough & Noel Morgans v Sue Davies & Chris Harding
PRESIDENT’S CUP A good turnout of 31 members braved the showers to take part in the President’s Cup at the weekend. In the top half of the draw, last year’s winner Chris Porter survived a scare in the 1st Round to narrowly overcome Laurie Townson 21-19. He followed this with wins against Dave Bannister (21-16), Derek Wignall (21-6) and in the semi-final, Chris McManus (21-11). The bottom half of the draw saw Steve McManus reach the final with wins against Debbie Barnes (21-13), Darren Edgerley (21-20), Mark Wilde (21-6) and Chris Lancaster (21-17). Chris got off to a flying start in the final, winning eight out of the first ten ends to take control of match with a 16-6 lead. Steve rallied to win six out of the next eight ends to narrow the gap to 12-19 but Chris was able to score the two chalks he needed to win the game 21-12 and retain the title he won last year. Congratulations to Chris on his second singles win of the season, having already won the Championship Cup.
PRESIDENTS CUP WINNER 2021 CHRIS PORTER
RUNNER UP STEVE McMANUS
Semi Finalist CHRIS LANCASTER
Semi Finalist CRIS McMANUS
A Plate competition was held for those knocked out of the main event in their first game and this was won by Keith Maiden with a 15-9 win against Jeff Brown in the final.
The Southport LV League will be running two competitions once the regular season fixtures have been completed.
Tuesdays 24th and 31st August – LV Individuals
Tuesdays 14th and 21st September – LV Pairs
Both these competitions are open to any player who has played at least one game in the LV League this season. To enter, please inform your LV captain or Mike Milne.
SOUTHPORT FEDERATION
On Sunday 27th June, the Southport Federation team enjoyed a successful start to the National League season with an excellent 22-10 victory over Bradford ‘A’.
The home leg was played at the Hesketh Arms and the team had 8 winners from the twelve games and won the aggregate by a convincing 47 chalks. The two Hesketh Arms representatives were Kez Adams and Fergal Wright and they won 21-17 and 21-7 respectively.
The away team travelled to the Spen Victoria club in Cleckheaton and came away with six winners and won the aggregate by twelve to return home with a valuable eight points. Of the five Hesketh Arms’ players in the away side, there were wins for Ray Atkinson (21-12) and Mike Milne (21-14).
Many thanks to all those members who supported the home team and helped out on the day with marking and measuring. Thanks also to Graham for preparing the green. The Hesketh Arms has hosted a Federation game in each of the five seasons played since the team was formed and this is testament to the consistently good condition of our green. The Federation Committee also appreciate the co-operation and support of the Hesketh Arms’ committee and club members.
The team now look forward to their July fixture when they will be taking on Cheshire Parks. Details of this match will be posted when they are available.
CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS
On Sunday 11th July(12 pm start) we will be holding our inaugural Champion of Champions competition when members will be competing for the “Blowick Cup”. This will be an invitation event for winners of our club competitions or team merits in 2020. It is hoped that this will become an annual event in the Club’s calendar and will normally be scheduled for the beginning of the season. It was not possible to hold it in April this year due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
The following members, who were successful in 2020 club competitions or team merits, have qualified to play in this competition :-
Kez Adams ; Sue Andersen ; Jason Chapman ; Jim Halsall ; Chris Harding ;
George Hitchmough ; Graham Meadow ; Pat McArthur ; Mike Milne ; Chris Porter ;
Phil Richards ; Jon Roberts ; Brian Sutton ; Dave White
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
Sunday 11th July – Champion of Champions 12.00 pm start – invitation competition for 2020 competition and merit winners (spectators welcome)
GREEN BOOKINGS
Saturday 10th July – the green will be unavailable for members’ use due to a private booking.
Saturday 31st July – Burscough League President’s Day – spectators welcome.
