12/04/2011 by secretary.

 I have pinched this report from the excellent Wirral Bowls Forum administrator, Tom Bentley. I hope he isn’t after any copyright fees as I might have to miss a few games this year because of the high cost of fuel.

Spectators were treated to some high class bowling from a strong field at Upton last Saturday, when West Kirby Vic’s Matt Gilmore repeated his 1999 success with a win over clubmate and 2002 winner, Jamie Fitzpatrick, 21 - 10.
In the quarter finals Gilmore beat Queens Royal’s Craig Saville 21 -12, and followed up with a semi-final victory, again 21 - 12, against West Kirby Vic’s skipper, John Lloyd, who was involved in a tight game with Lever’s Dougie Briscoe in the quarters, before winning 21 - 19.
Jamie Fitzpatrick had beaten Chris Barton (Quarry Vikings) and David McDermott (Heswall RBL). McDermott survived a great comeback in the quarters by Tixall’s, Ian Hazlehurst, just weighing in 21 - 19.

Referee was John Crowther.
President Ted Sullivan presented the prizes along with Chairman Ken ‘Programmes’ Griffiths, General Secretary Roy Cooke, and Competition Secretary Peter ‘£2 Please!’ Dodd. Thank you gentlemen for the work you do for us.

Results:
Last 8: 

D Briscoe (5) 19  J Lloyd (1) 21,  M.Gilmore (scr) 21 Cr. Saville (1) 12,                                                                                               C.Barton (scr) 14 J.Fitzpatrick (scr) 21, D.McDermott (scr) 21 I.Hazlehurst (scr) 19

Semi Finals:
J Lloyd 12, M Gilmore 21
J Fitzpatrick 21, D McDermott 12
Final:
M Gilmore 21, J Fitzpatrick 10

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12/04/2011 by secretary.

The Vics Birkenhead evening league team started the season off in style with a massive 148 shot victory over a gallant Albany team last night. Despite continuous criticism of the Vics green at Ashton Park by some members of the team, with 12 winners and such a huge victory, one wonders what might happen when the green returns to it’s former pristine condition. Certainly Ian Sherbrooke and Anthony Thompson should have no complaints with both posting formidable 21-01 winning cards. The Vics had 4 other single figure winners in Matt Gilmore 21-06,  Rob Fitzpatrick and Neil Sherbrooke both 21-08  and Curtis Tornerup 21-09. John Lloyd had a 21-10 win and two 21-11 victories were recorded by Jack Beecham and Karl Sherbrooke. Obviously Malcolm Johnson 21-13 and Rob Franklin 21-15 must still think the green is not suitable for high class bowling as their scores tend to indicate. Tougher tests will no doubt face the Vics as the season progresses but a 148 shot win will do for now.

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09/04/2011 by secretary.

Despite reports crediting Rob Fitzpatrick with winning a tournament at Pontins a fortnight ago, I can confirm that he actually won the competition set up by Steve Rigby at the Norbreck Castle Hotel in Blackpool. This was a four day competition set up for bowlers from clubs all over the country to get some enjoyable and exciting pre season tournament play. Congratulations to Robby for seeing off some top class opposition hoping to make some easy early cash before the long Individual season begins.

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08/04/2011 by secretary.

The Vics afternoon teams all got off to a promising start this week and despite the “C” team losing by 32 shots at Magazine, four away winners gives new Captain, Dave McMurray, lots of hope of not only winning the aggregate point next week but also having a decent season. John Birch started off the season in great style with a superb 21-05 win and will be determined to win a second “player of the season” award. Ray Farrell (21-12), Ian Hamilton (21-19) and Paul Bonner (21-20) were the other winners on the day. The “B” team had an excellent 25 shot win away from home at the difficult Capenhurst “B” green and Skipper, Ian Wilson, never short of confidence at the best of times, is certain promotion will be a close run thing again. John Davies, taking advantage of the long corners, raced to a 21-08 win and the other winning cards came from Ken Palin (21-11), Ernie Peers (21-11), Malcolm Johnson (21-13) and a couple of 21-16 wins for Ted Lawrence and Ian Wilson. The “A” team Captain, Keith Etches, showed his team how to do it with a fine 21-07 victory which was matched by Ken Palin in a 6 winners to 4 home victory over Manor Road “A”. Keith Stewart (21-09), Andrew Stratton (21-10), Rob Franklin (21-13) and Bill Atkinson (21-15) all posted winning cards but alas, Peter Dodd must have been listening to too many people telling him how bad our green was, when struggling to even score 9 points against old rival, George Stead. George bowled really well and the green was not anywhere near as bad as feared, which means I will just have to bowl a lot better than I did yesterday.

Posted in Afternoon "C" Team, Afternoon "B" Team, Afternoon "A" Team, A1 Home Page | Comments Off

04/04/2011 by secretary.

The 2011 season gets underway today with the Ashton Park green officially opened to members. Unfortunately the green has still not recovered from last season’s punishment and there are still a number of bare patches to be seen. Luckily we only have one League match scheduled at the green this week, with Afternoon “A” team entertaining Manor Road “A” on Thursday afternoon starting at 1-30pm. Both the Afternoon “B” and “C” teams start their fixtures on Wednesday afternoon with away matches at Capenhurst “B” and Magazine. The Birkenhead Evening League team start their campaign to retain their Division One Title with a home fixture against Albany next Monday 11th April. The Wallasey League will be attempting to win their 11th consecutive Division One championship with a home fixture against Manor Road “B” on Thursday 14th April.

We have 8 players entered into the Wirral & District Charity Handicap starting tonight at various greens on the Wirral and we wish them every success in this popular early season Individual competition.

Posted in Birkenhead League Team, Wallasey Association Team, Afternoon "C" Team, Afternoon "B" Team, Afternoon "A" Team, A1 Home Page | Comments Off