Month: September 2022

COMPETITION NEWS – AUTUMN 2022 

FLOODLIT TROPHY 

Congratulations to Ali and Kez Adams on winning the final club competition of the season last Saturday when they overcame Darren Edgerley and Fergal Wright in a close final.  

This competition is played using a round robin format in the early stages and both pairs topped their groups with unbeaten records. Ali and Kez got off to a flying start in the final, scoring eight in the first three ends to lead 8-0. Darren and Fergal fought back, however, to take seven of the next nine ends to level the match at 11 across. From here, Ali and Kez claimed four singles in the next five ends to win the game 15-12. 

This was Ali’s first club competition win at the Hesketh Arms but for Kez, it was his fourth doubles win of the season, all with different partners. Well done to both players.  

CLUB COMPETITIONS 2022 

During the course of the season, we again organised a full programme of club competitions for members to take part in. We ran 6 singles events, including the second staging of the Blowick Cup Champion of Champions and five pairs competitions. 

In total, the internal competitions attracted 233 participants and it was pleasing to see four new winners being added to the Roll of Honour of Hesketh Arms’ club competition winners ; Janice Hobson (Spring Pairs), Debbie Barnes (Ladies’ Championship), Laurie Townson (Last Chance Cup) and Ali Adams (Floodlit Trophy). There have now been 69 different winners of Hesketh Arms’ club competitions since we re-commenced running them in 2007.   

Thank you to all those who continue to support the club’s competitions. We look forward to running a full programme of events again in 2023. 

COMPETITIONS COMMITTEE 

Due to the increased number of competitions being held at the club, the committee has decided to form a competitions committee. Being on the committee would involve helping to run events, having an input into the format of the competitions and a chance to contribute new ideas, subject to approval by the main club committee. If anyone is interested in becoming involved in this new committee, or would like more information, please contact:- 

George Hitchmough secretary@hesketharmsbowlingclub.co.uk 

or Mike Milne michaelmilne66@outlook.co.uk

I WOULD REMIND MEMBERS THAT THE GREEN WILL CLOSE FOR THE WINTER ON SUNDAY 2^nd of OCTOBER

The green will require some tidying up during the closure and we will be looking for help and support to enable this.

FLOODLIT TROPHY 

The final club competition of the season will be the Floodlit Trophy, which will take place on Saturday 25^th September. This is a non-random doubles and players are asked to register in their pairings by 4.45 pm, so that the draw can be made in time for a 5.00 pm start. The early stages of this competition will be played using a group format and the length of the games will depend on the number of entries.  

AWARDS EVENING 

The Awards Evening is being planned for Saturday 29^th October and will be held at the Churchtown Conservative Club. This is an opportunity to recognise individual and team successes achieved during the 2022 season, so please note this date in your diaries and watch out for details of how to obtain your tickets, which will be available soon.  

HESKETH BUZZARDS 

Congratulations to the Hesketh Buzzards on finishing as 2^nd Division champions of the  Southport & District Ladies’ Afternoon League. This is the first time in our club’s history that we have had a ladies’ team and under the captaincy of Debbie Barnes, the team achieved an impressive 10 wins out of the 14 games played to finish nine points clear of Scarisbrick Bowling Club. 

SOUTHPORT FEDERATION 

The Southport Federation team ended the 2022 National League season with an 18 – 14 win against Cheshire Parks. The home team won 7-5 at Tarleton Bowling Club, whilst the away team lost 7-5 at the Nursery in Stockport. Although the aggregate was won by the narrowest of one chalk margins, this was not enough to claim one of the promotion places. Nevertheless, by finishing in third position, the team has retained it’s place in Division 6 and will be looking to gain promotion to Division 5 next season. Of the Hesketh Arms’ players, there were wins at home for Fergal Wright (21-6), Kez Adams (21-17) and Chris Porter (21-18), whilst in Stockport, Mike Milne won 21 – 9.  

Final Table

Cheshire Parks 76 points 

Clwyd Dragons 72 points 

Southport 70 points 

Eccles 64 points 

Harrogate 38 points 

GREEN BOOKING 

The green will be unavailable to members on Tuesday 20^th September, from 1.30pm to 6.30pm, due to a private booking. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. 

ROUND ROBINS

The popular Round Robins will FINISH on Friday the 30^th of September. Only 5 remaining to be played.

Our thanks to Pete & Lynne Smith who have hosted the Round Robins again in 2022.

OPEN DOUBLES – BERNARD O’MALLEY VICE-PRESIDENTS TROPHY

Sunday saw bowlers from across the North West play for the Bernard O’Malley Vice-Presidents Trophy. This is the Hesketh Arms’ annual Open Doubles competition and is held to recognise the support given to the Club by our Honorary Vice-President, Mr. Bernard O’Malley. 

The top half of the draw saw John Gatley and Damian Morrison progress to the final with wins against Terry Corfield and Graham Meadow (21-11), Jim Gray and Rita Manning (21-12) and in a very close, high quality semi-final, Dave Ball and Kevin Wilcox (21-19). Their opponents in the final were Harvey Birch and Tony Robinson, who play for Bispham Hall and Alexander Park Bowling Clubs in the St. Helens and Newton Bowling Leagues. Harvey and Tony reached the final by overcoming Andy Draper and Kevin Leddy (21-9), Matthew Brown and Aaron Hayhurst (21-20), David and Jack Clivery (21-13) and in the semi-final, Nigel Marsh and Nathan Warwick from the Grapes Hotel in Hyde (21-8)

In a closely fought final in which neither pair counted with more than two at any one end, it was Harvey Birch and Tony Robinson who came through to win 21-20 in a highly entertaining final. 

Many thanks to all those who supported the competition and helped with marking, measuring and making tea and coffee. The Club would like to thank the Birkdale Insurance Group for sponsoring this competition and look forward to hosting it again in 2023.

OPEN DOUBLES – BERNARD O’MALLEY TROPHY
This Sunday, 4^th September, the club will be holding the annual Open Doubles competition for the Bernard O’Malley Vice-Presidents Trophy. There are still places available at 10.00 am and 10.45 am and it would be pleasing if we can fill these places to make it a really good competition and a fitting tribute to the club’s Honorary Vice-President, who does so much to support the club. Anyone interested in taking one of the remaining places should contact Mike Milne (07752352065) or Chris Harding (07761733024). 
We would be grateful if as many members as possible could come down on the day to assist with the running of the competition. Help will be required with marking, measuring and starting games off.  All support from members will be greatly appreciated.