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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28/02/2011 by secretary.

The Ashton Park Lower Green will now open on Monday April 4th and not Monday March 28th as earlier reported. The green is still in a really bad state and Wirral Borough Council say a lot more work has to be done between now and April 4th before the green is fit to use.

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13/02/2011 by secretary.

I would like to take this belated opportunity to wish you a Happy and Prosperous New Year and inform you of some items of interest for the forthcoming season.

The green will open on Monday 28^th March with the First League Fixtures as follows:

Afternoon “A” Team v Manor Road “A” at home on Thursday 7^th April

Afternoon “B” Team v Capenhurst “B” away on Wednesday 6^th April

Afternoon “C” Team v Magazine away on Wednesday 6^th April

Birkenhead Evening League Team v Albany at home on Monday 11^th April

Wallasey League Team v Manor Road “B” at home on Thursday 14^th April

 The Birkenhead & Wirral League Cec Hannay Rose Bowl starts with the Preliminary Round on Wednesday April 13^th but the Vics have a Bye through to the First Round on Monday 9^th May when they will play Quarry Vikings “C” team. The Afternoon League Centenary Shield Preliminary Round is scheduled for Wednesday April 20^th with the “A” team playing Capenhurst “C”, the “B” team against Thingwall “B” and the “C” team playing Harrison Park “C”.  Our Wallasey League team have been drawn against Manor Road “A” in the Harold Jones Cup first round to be held on Tuesday 19^th April. We have drawn Magazine in the Presidents Cup first round on Tuesday May 31^st.

For the first time in our history we have entered teams in two Cheshire County Cup Competitions, with the Wallasey League side providing the team for the prestigious Brunner Cup under the Captaincy of Matt Gilmore and our Afternoon League sides providing the team for either the Norman Cup or De Knoop Cup, whichever competition the Cheshire County Committee decide we will play in, this team will be Captained by Keith Stewart.

I would like to inform you that there are no increases to subscriptions for 2011 and the subscription fee per member remains at £17. Club rules state that subscriptions have to be paid by May 1^st each year but early payment would be much appreciated by the Treasurer, Bill Atkinson. Please send your cheque to Bill (payable to West Kirby Victoria Bowling Club) at 46 North Parade, Hoylake, CH47 3AL if you are making an early payment.

This year’s Annual Outing is again at The Cheshire View, Christleton and is on Sunday July 10^th. All the menu details and travel arrangements will, as usual, be on the Notice Board when the green opens.

For those of you who were unable to attend the A.G.M. in November, I can confirm that all the Club Officers were re-elected and for my sins, I am embarking on my twelfth year as Secretary.  Ian Wilson was elected as Vice Chairman at that meeting. I would like to thank all our members for awarding me the honour of a Life Membership of The Vics and I can assure you that this honour does mean a great deal to me.

As I write this post I can tell you that our Club is thriving and new members to the club this year will include Angelo Modena, Tommy Bonner, Steven Hughes, Mark Myles and Ken Palin. I hope all our new members enjoy their time at the Vics and welcome them to or club.

As usual we are running 5 teams in League and Cup competitions this year but I hope every member shares my belief, that it is imperative that at no matter what level we are playing at, enjoyment and the good company of friends should be paramount at all times.

I hope you are keeping well and look forward to seeing you around the green in early April. If you require any further information at all, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time.

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19/12/2010 by secretary.

We welcome Chris Barton, Tom Bonner, Steve Hughes and Ken Palin to the club and hope they enjoy a successful 2011 with the Vics. Curtis Tornerup has decided to play for both our Birkenhead and Wallasey teams for 2011 having played for us in the Birkenhead League only last season.

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19/12/2010 by secretary.

The Honours page has now been updated with our successful 2010 season results added.

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23/09/2009 by secretary.

2009 will go into the record books as the Vics most successful season ever with an impressive haul of Cups and League Titles coming our way. This afternoon the Afternoon “B” team completed a comfortable home victory over Albany to win the Birkenhead & Wirral Crown Green Bowling League, Afternoon Division Two Title. The Afternoon “C” team have already won the Division Four Title with still the last match (Poulton at home on Friday) to play. The Afternoon “A” team won the Centenary Cup a fortnight ago with a comprehensive 10 winners to nil defeat of Heswall RBL “B” in the final at Albany.

The Birkenhead Evening League team had an unforgettable season, winning the Division One Title, the Sansom Cup and the Cec Hannay Rose Bowl. They also retained their Merseyside Club Championship with another comprehensive clean sweep of winners in their Final against BRNESC at Liverpool Cricket Club. They will now go forward to the British Crown Green Club Championship in Todmorden on October 4th as the Merseyside representatives.

The Wallasey League side won the Division One Title for a remarkable ninth year on the trot and also added the Presidents Cup with a fine victory against Queens Royal in the Final at Manor Road.

All the Team Captains, John Lloyd, Malcolm Johnson, Billy Atkinson, Keith Etches and Ian Wilson deserve credit for their efforts in keeping their teams fully focused during the season and of course everyone who played for the club during the season have helped to make us the club that everyone will be wanting to beat next season.

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21/04/2009 by secretary.

Skipper, Ian Wilson, set the standard required from his team with a commanding display in a 21-04 victory at Heswall RBL “B” last Wednesday. The Vics players followed his lead well by posting 7 away winning cards in a fine 25 shot win. Ted Lawrence once again showed that he is fast regaining his form from a few years back, with a fine 21-10 victory. Calvert Jones delighted his Captain by bowling well in his 21-13 win and both Arthur Fagan and Ray Farrell came through tough encounters to post 21-17 winning cards. “Bluey” Davies, 21-18 and Harold Rutter 21-19 got off to welcome winning starts to the season to complete a magnificent 7 away winners for the Vics on the day. Ian Wilson will be hoping for more fine away displays like this during the season to set the Vics up for a charge up the League Table. The Vics play Lever Club at Royden Hall next Wednesday in the Shield.

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21/04/2009 by secretary.

The Vics afternoon “B” went down by 6 shots at an uneven Harrison Park green last Wednesday despite Skipper, Keith Etches’s brilliant 21-06 victory. After a comfortable home victory last week, the Vics had high hopes of not just the aggregate point but also an away victory. The Vics did have 5 away winners on the day but just could not pull back from 2 early single figure losses. “Branding Iron” Brandon made it 2 wins out of 2 with an excellent 21-11 win and both Derek Thomas and Bill Purcell also completed early season doubles with 21-14 wins. Ian Hamilton proved that last seasons away victories were no flukes with another fine 21-17 victory on foreign soil. Keith Etches showed no mercy in a clinical display of bowling and was understandably disappointed to lose out by such a narrow margin at the end of the day. The “B” team take on Thingwall at Birkenhead Park on Wednesday in the Shield.

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