Month: August 2025

NEWS UPDATE

HESKETH BUZZARDS – SOUTHPORT LADIES’ LEAGUE

Congratulations to Debbie Barnes and her Hesketh Buzzards team on winning the League and Cup double in the 2nd Division of the Southport and District Ladies’ Afternoon League. The team lost just one game all season to finish three points ahead of Victoria Park ‘A’.  As captain, Debbie led the way, winning 12 out of 13 games played to finish top of the divisional merit table.

The Buzzards ended the season in style by defeating their rivals Victoria Park ‘A’ by 11 chalks in the final of the Knockout Cup, played at Formby Sports & Social.

SEPTEMBER CLUB COMPETITIONS

Please note that the Championship Cup, originally scheduled for Sunday 14th September has been re-scheduled – please see details below.

Although the end of the season is fast approaching, there are still club competitions to take part in.

THE LAST CHANCE CUP will be held on Sunday 21st September. This is a random doubles, where pairings are drawn on the day. There will be a plate competition for pairs losing their first game. To enter, please register at the green by 11.45 am, to enable the draw to be completed in time for a prompt 12 noon start.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP CUP has been re-scheduled and will now be played on Sunday 28th September. As the Ladies’ Championship was not played due to lack of entries, this competition will be open to ALL members. This is a singles merit competition played off scratch, with no plate. To enter, please report to the green by 11.45 am for a 12 noon start.

OPEN SINGLES – SATURDAY 30th AUGUST

This Saturday, the Club hosts the annual Open Singles competition when bowlers from around the area compete for the trophy and a first prize of £220 out of a total prize fund of £570. We are grateful to our sponsors, BIRKDALE INSURANCE GROUP, for their continued support. 

Previous winners of this event, first held in 2016, include Southport bowlers John Hughes, Andy Draper, Darren Edgerley and Fergal Wright, as well as county players from the Wigan area, Ray Bevington and Michael Heap. This year we have a full 32 player field, and spectators will be welcome to witness a day of quality bowling. The first session starts at 10.00 am. 

Any help on the day with marking cards and measuring would be appreciated, especially for the first couple of sessions. If any members could spare an hour or so to assist with this, the organisers would be very grateful. We will have prepared sandwiches available on the day and any assistance with selling these and making drinks for our visitors would again be greatly appreciated.  

NEWS UPDATE

CHAIRMAN’S SHIELD

Congratulations to Chris Harding and Mike Milne on winning the Chairman’s Shield with a 15-5 win in the final against Alan Hatton and John Townsend.

OPEN SINGLES – SATURDAY 30th AUGUST – SPONSORED BY BIRKDALE INSURANCE GROUP

Our Open Singles competition, sponsored by Birkdale Insurance Group, has a full entry with a reserve list. The first session will start at 10.00 am and spectators will be very welcome for what is always a great day of quality bowling.

We would also appreciate help with marking cards and measuring. Finally, if anyone is able to assist with serving drinks and selling pre-prepared sandwiches, please speak to Mike Milne or Chris Harding.

WEDNESDAY SESSIONS FOR NEW BOWLERS

The Wednesday afternoon sessions for new bowlers got off to a great start last week and we have already attracted several new members. Many thanks to those who helped out. I am sure more helpers would be welcome, please speak to George Hitchmough for further details. The sessions will be held each Wednesday afternoon between 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm until just before the end of the season.

SOUTHPORT FEDERATION
The Southport Federation team’s final fixture of the season ended in defeat against Flintshire by a narrow three chalk margin. The home leg was played at Fleetwood Hesketh and resulted in a 7-5 win and an aggregate advantage of 29 chalks.

Amongst the winners were Kez Adams (21-20) and Fergal Wright (21-19). The away leg resulted in an 8-4 defeat at Argoed Bowling Club. 2025 has been a tough season for the Southport team in which they have finished in 5^th place in Division 5.

They will be looking to bounce back next season when they will be looking to gain promotion from Division 6 of the National League. …

PRESIDENT’S CUP

Congratulations to Alan Hatton on winning the President’s Cup. This is Alan’s first win in a Hesketh Arms club singles competition.

The runner-up was Phil Richards and the losing semi-finalists were Alex Rimmer and Derek Wignall.

A plate competition was held and this was won by Andy Draper, who defeated Mal Green in the final.

BOWLS FOR FUN

Following a successful Open Day at the end of July, when over 40 people attended, it has been decided to run weekly sessions for potential new bowlers on Wednesday afternoons, commencing on Wednesday 13th August. The sessions will run between 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm and if anyone is able to come down to help, it would be greatly appreciated. For further details, please speak to George Hitchmough.

BURSCOUGH LEAGUE

Our two Burscough League teams played their final league matches of the season on Friday evening. The Vultures went into the last game needing a 6-2 win against Bretherton ‘A’ to clinch the 1st Division title for the second time. Sadly, it wasn’t to be as they lost 5-3 and ended the season level on points with Banks St. Stephen’s, just nine points behind the champions. Special mention must be made of Andy Draper, who won the 1st Division Merit with an outstanding record of 14 wins out of 16 games played.In the 2nd Division, the Ospreys had a new captain in Jim Halsall and they had a good season, finishing in 5th position. Jim had another excellent season, winning 13 games to finish in 4th place in the divisional merit.

SOUTHPORT FEDERATION

Southport’s final fixture of the season in the Federation National League will take place this Sunday 10th August when they take on Flintshire. The home leg is being held at Fleetwood Hesketh and the away team will travel to Argoed Bowling Club in North Wales. Both legs will start at 2.00 pm and spectators will be very welcome.

CLUB COMPETITIONS AND EVENTS

The next club competition will take place on Sunday 17th August, when we will be staging the Chairman’s Shield. This is a non-random doubles and will start at 12 noon. To enter, please register at the green by 11.45 am on the day, to ensure that the draw can be made in time to allow for a prompt start.

Sunday 17th August   Chairman’s Shield (Non-random doubles – enter as a pair, no plate) 12.00 pm start

Sunday 14th Sept.      Championship Cup (Men’s singles – played off scratch, no plate)12.00pm start

Sunday 21st Sept.        Last Chance Cup (Random doubles with plate – pairings to be drawn on the day) 12.00 pm start

TBC        Floodlit Trophy (date and format to be decided)