Hesketh Arms Bowling Club

HESKETH ARMS BOWLING CLUB

SEASON REVIEW – 2022
INTRODUCTION

​The 2022 league season saw the Club enter a record number of twelve teams into the various local bowling leagues. This included a new team which was formed to play in the Southport & District Ladies’ Afternoon League. Our teams were again very successful, with four finishing as champions and two as runners-up in their divisions. In addition, three of our teams reached knockout cup finals.

Below is a review summarising our teams’ performances in the various leagues. The full tables can be found on each league’s own website but if anyone would like to receive a printed copy of this review, including the league tables featuring our teams, please contact Mike Milne : –michaelmilne66@outlook.com
​The merit winner for each of our teams has been included and for those new to league bowling at the Hesketh Arms it may be worth clarifying that the winner of the award for each team is the player who has won the most games during the course of the regular league season (cup games aren’t counted). Where two or more players have won the same number games, the next deciding criteria is the best aggregate i.e. chalks for minus chalks against. The Leagues themselves use different methods for deciding the winners of their merit awards but at the Hesketh we have always used the same system across all of our teams, even though this could result in a player winning the league merit but not our club award, which has happened in the past.

SOUTHPORT LV LEAGUE

The Club continued to run two teams in the Southport LV League, with both sides playing in the Premier Division in 2022 following the Falcons’ promotion to the top flight as 2021 1^st Division Champions.

The Eagles, captained by Chris Harding, again competed well and finished as runners-up to a strong Scarisbrick NSC ‘A’ team. Having been champions in 2018, 2019 and 2021, the Eagles will be looking to regain their title in 2023. The Knockout Cup saw the team reach the final, where they played London Lions at Scarisbrick Bowling Club. Following a 5 all draw, they unluckily lost a play-off 2-1.

Jeff Brown’s Falcons were back in the Premier Division for the first time since 2018 and finished in 6^th place to retain their Premier Division status for 2023.

Eagles Merit Winner – Jim Halsall

Falcons Merit Winner – Dave Bedford

BURSCOUGH & LATHOM LEAGUE

The Club enjoyed a remarkable season in the Burscough League, with both our teams winning their respective divisions.

In the 1^st Division, the Vultures impressively won 16 games out of the 18 played to finish 19 points clear of runners-up Banks St. Stephen’s, who had won this title in 2021. It is the first time in the Club’s history that we have won this league, which is regarded as one of the strongest in the area. Well done to captain Chris Harding and all the players.

Under the captaincy of Mark Rowlinson, the Ospreys have been steadily improving over the last few seasons and the addition of a couple of good signings helped the Ospreys to end the season as 2^nd Division Champions, finishing 6 points ahead of runners-up Holmeswood ‘B’. Well done to Mark and all the team, we can now look forward to a couple of Friday Night derby games in 2023 !!

Vultures Merit Winner – Darren Edgerley

Ospreys Merit Winner – Terry Corfield

SOUTHPORT PARKS LEAGUE

Having finished in 3^rd place in three out of the last four completed league seasons, the Kites, under the captaincy of John Unsworth, finally gained promotion to the Premier Division. Needing 8 points in the final game of the season, the team achieved the 6-4 win they required to finish one point ahead of runners-up Scarisbrick B.C. ‘A’. The team also did well in the Knockout Cup to reach the final, played at the Zetland Hotel, in which the Falkland Road team gained revenge by winning an exciting match by a single chalk.

Kites Merit Winner – Mike Milne

MAGHULL LEAGUE

The Club continued to run two teams in the Maghull League and the Owls (“A” team) were again placed in the 1^st Division, which was this season expanded to ten teams. In a tough division, the team put in a strong performance to finish in 4^th place.

The Sparrowhawks (“B” team), were again captained by Sue Davies and competed in the 2^nd Division. They won eight games to finish in 6^th position, just ten points behind 2^nd placed Brownmoor Brooke ‘B’.

Owls Merit Winner – Andy Draper

Sparrowhawks Merit Winner – Tony Wakefield

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 by Mike Burrill.

The league was formed into two divisions for the 2022 season and both our teams had performed well enough last year to earn places in the strong 1^st Division. The Kestrels put in a creditable performance to finish the season in 4^th position, while the Hawks finished in 8^th  place, to comfortably retain their top division status if the league keeps the same format for next season.

Kestrels Merit Winner – Jim Halsall

Hawks Merit Winner – Peter Smith

SOUTHPORT VETERANS’ LEAGUE

Congratulations to captain George Hitchmough and his Merlins team on finishing as runners-up in the 2^nd Division of the Southport Veterans’ League. They won an impressive 18 games and ended the season just nine points behind champions Freshfield ‘A’. The team also had a good run to the final of the Dick Wareing Trophy, in which they played Freshfield ‘A’ at Fleetwood Hesketh but unfortunately lost out to the divisional champions.

The Hobbies were again led by Roger Van Beever and they also enjoyed a good season, winning twelve games to finish in the top half of the table.

Merlins Merit Winner – Jim Halsall

Hobbies Merit Winner – Jeff Brown

SOUTHPORT LADIES’ AFTERNOON LEAGUE

The Committee was delighted that for the first time in the Club’s history, we were able to enter a team into the Southport and District Ladies’ Afternoon League. Playing in Division 2 and captained by Debbie Barnes, the Buzzards enjoyed an exceptional debut season to win ten games out of fourteen to claim the 2^nd Division Championship.

It was particularly pleasing that this team attracted new members to the Club and several in the team were playing league bowling for the first time. We hope they enjoyed their season and congratulate them on their success.

Buzzards Merit Winner – Pat McArthur

NEWSLETTER – OCTOBER 2022 

GREEN CLOSURE & AUTUMN MAINTENANCE 

Members will be aware that the green is now closed to enable essential maintenance work to take place in order that the green will be ready for the new season in Spring 2023. Many thanks to Graham Meadow for his work on the green throughout the year and for co-ordinating all the off-season jobs and tasks which are required to ensure that we continue to provide one of the best playing surfaces in the area.   

BURSCOUGH LEAGUE – STEVE RIMMER MEMORIAL SINGLES 

Congratulations to Kez Adams on reaching the final of the Burscough League’s Steve Rimmer Memorial Singles competition, narrowly losing 21-18 to Colin Moore of the London Sphynx in the final, played at Banks St.Stephen’s. 

TUESDAY AND FRIDAY ROUND ROBINS 

We again ran a full season of Round Robins during the 2022 season and thanks go to Peter and Lynne Smith and all those who assisted in organising these popular sessions throughout the year. Although the main purpose of the Round Robins is to give our members the opportunity to enjoy social bowling, they do provide a useful source of much-needed additional revenue and this year contributed in excess of £1300.00 to club funds. Many thanks to all those who continue to attend and support what are a very important part of the Club’s annual programme of events.  

COMPETITIONS COMMITTEE 

As mentioned in an earlier newsletter, we are looking to set up a Competitions Committee for next season. Being on this 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 

TROPHY ENGRAVING 

If anyone holds one of the Club’s permanent trophies which needs engraving and they are happy to hand it in for this purpose, please email Mike Milne to arrange collection michaelmilne66@outlook.com 

QUALIFIERS FOR THE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS 2023 

The third staging of the Hesketh Arms’ Champion of Champions will be held at the beginning of the 2023 season. For this event all the club competition and merit winners from the previous season are invited to take part and the trophy presented to the winner is the “Blowick Cup”, which was previously played for at the old Blowick Hotel Bowling Club.  

The qualifiers for 2023 are as follows :- 

Ali Adams (Floodlit Trophy) 

Kez Adams (Spring Pairs ; Vice-Presidents Trophy ; Chairman’s Shield ; Floodlit Trophy) 

Debbie Barnes (Ladies’ Championship) 

Dave Bedford (Falcons Merit) 

Jeff Brown (Hobbies Merit) 

Terry Corfield (Ospreys Merit) 

Andy Draper (Owls Merit) 

Darren Edgerley (Rose Bowl ; Championship Cup ; Coronation Cup ; Chairman’s Shield ;          Vultures Merit) 

Jim Halsall (Eagles Merit ; Kestrels Merit ; Merlins Merit) 

Janice Hobson (Spring Pairs) 

Kevin Leddy (President’s Cup ; Last Chance Cup) 

Pat McArthur (Buzzards Merit) 

Mike Milne (Kites Merit) 

Peter Smith (Hawks Merit) 

Laurie Townson (Last Chance Cup) 

Tony Wakefield (Sparrowhawks Merit) 

Fergal Wright (Blowick Cup ; Vice-Presidents Trophy) 

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY 

The Awards Evening is now scheduled for Saturday 21^st January 2023, to be held at the Churchtown Conservative Club. This has been changed from the original date due to unforeseen circumstances. Further details will be notified in due course. 

Due to unforeseen circumstances we have had to alter the date of the Awards Evening

The AWARDS EVENING WILL NOW BE ON SATURDAY THE 21^st of JANUARY 2023

Round Robin 2022

Peter & Lynne Smith would like to thank the “Round Robiners” for their Gift and also for all the help and assistance They received over the 2022 season.

Looking forward TO SEEING YOU ALL NEXT YEAR.

Congratulations to the HESKETH MERLINS who gained promotion to the 1^st Division of the Southport Vets League

Don’t forget the AWARDS EVENING on Saturday the 29^th of October

Further details later this week

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. 

Last Sunday the 29^th of August, 12 Pairs entered the Random Doubles.

In the top half of the draw Darren Edgerley and Kez Adams progressed to the Semi- Final with wins over Noreen Lewis and John Townsend 21: 5 and Pat & Barry Mcarthur 21:7

The Semi Final was against the other strong pairing in this group, Andy Draper and Kevin Leddy, The match was evenly contested until the 15^th end at 11 across. 2 fours in the next 4 ends saw Darren and Kez reach 19, Andy and Kevin scored a 2 to take them to 17 but Darren and Kez scored the final 2 needed in the next end to reach the Final.

In the bottom half of the draw Jason Chapman and Chris Harding reached the Semi Final by beating Bill Bloor and Sue Wignall 21:9 and Tony Wakefield and Alec Rimmer 21:15 to reach the Semi Final against Terry Corfield and Len Southworth . The Semi Final was a close fought game with Terry and Len reaching 19:14 on the 16^th end. A 3 the following end gave Jason & Chris the momentum to carry on and bowl out to win the game 21:19

The Final was a close game in the early stages being 8:7 at end 6 to Darren and Kez. They then surged forward to win the game 21:9

Congratulations to Kez and Darren on winning the 2022 Chairman’s Shield. Darren’s fifth win this season.

COMPETITION NEWS 

Congratulations to Kevin Leddy and Laurie Townson on the winning the random pairs at the club on Saturday. The competition was played using a round robin format and having won all their games in the group stages, Kevin and Laurie defeated Mike Milne and John Townsend 15-7 in the final. 

CHAIRMAN’S SHIELD 

The next club competition will take place this coming Sunday, 28^th August, when we will be playing for the Chairman’s Shield. This is a non-random doubles and will start at 12 noon. Please register at the green by 11.45 am to allow for a prompt start.