Author: Chris

The Swindon and District Ladies and Men’s Bowls Associations held their finals jointly for the first time over the weekend of 17th/18th September at Westlecott Bowls Club.

Highworth were well represented with finalists in seven disciplines. First up on Saturday morning was the Over 60 Men’s Singles where our own Chris Mussen played John Thomas from the home club. On a difficult rink Chirs matched John in the early stages but the home knowledge soon told as Chris had to be very proud with the runner up spot. 

Next up was the Ladies Rinks final where Maggie, Linda, Deanne and Jo, who earlier this season lifted the County crown, added the S&D title to the trophy cabinet. After being in total control in the early stages their opponents from RWB came back into the game and it took our ladies picking up 2 shots on the last end to take the game into an extra end which our ladies won

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During lunch Stu Murray took to the green in the Men’s Singles and put up a strong showing against James Nobbs of RWB, before having to settle for the runners up spot. 

The days finals drew to a close with the Ladies Double Rinks and the Men’s Eddie Wells Trophies being contested. 

In the Double Rinks our Ladies took on Westlecott and came out on top on both rinks, congratulations to our rinks; Julie Edgington, Christine Biles, Linda Young and Deanne Davis and Maggie Jordan, Elaine White, Josie Etherington and Jo Hicks.

Sadly, the Men couldn’t match the Ladies as they came up just short losing by 5 shots against RWB in the 4 triples contest.

Great work though by the men on only just failing to retain the Eddie Wells Trophy which they won by beating Stratton last year. Well done to the whole squad who took part in this season’s games; Roy Read, Chris Mussen, Hugh Linning, Kieron Pollock, John Jordan, Ian Dandy, Stu Murray, Keith Latimer, Kevin Brown, Gary Willis, Shaun Hicks, Tom Pittuck, Mick Woolmer, John Spencer, Ian Webb, Chris Davis, Jim O’Leary, John Tompkins and Robbie Allen 

Sunday dawned with two finals involving Highworth players. 

In the Ladies Singles Jo Hicks came runner up to Chris Mitchell of Purton, last year’s National Singles runner-up, so no disgrace there then. 

Whilst the Finals ended for Highworth with more silverware as Shaun Hicks and Tom Pittuck overcame a pair from RWB to win the Men’s Pairs. 

That brings to a close this season’s competitions at National, County and Local level which has resulted in a burgeoning trophy cabinet for Highworth. Congratulations to all of our entrant in all competitions. 

More success came to Highworth Bowls Club as Maggie, Deanne and Linda lifted the County Benevolent Triples Championship following a dominant display throughout the competition. 

After three wins during the early rounds the ladies turned up at Devizes Bowls Club on Friday 16th with the hope of playing the Semi and Final.

In the semi-final our ladies beat a team from Amesbury and followed this with a comfortable 20-5 win in the final over last year’s Champions from Stratton led by Janet Willis. 

This adds to a great season for the ladies on the County front. 

 

Congratulations to the men’s team who overcame Stratton in a fiercely fought Semi-Final to make the Eddie Wells Final for the second year running having become Champions last year beating Stratton in the final.

On a very difficult away rink our two triples did tremendously well to lose by only three shots overall, whilst at home our two triples won by seven shots, led by a strong showing by the triple led by Hugh Linning.

With several players who had played in the previous round win over Wanborough missing due their attendance at Leamington to support our ladies in the john’s Trophy those brought in really showed the strength in depth at Highworth.

We now move forward to play either RWB or Wroughton in the Final at Westlecott on Saturday 17th September. 

Triples at home: John Spencer, Jim O’Leary, Stu Murray & Roy Read, Kevin Brown, Hugh Linning

Triples at Stratton: John Tompkins, Ian Webb, Gary Willis & Mick Woolmer, Kieron Pollock, Chris Mussen

Congratulations to the Ladies Double Rink team who overcame a strong Stratton Churchways team to reach the S&D Final.

https://bowlsinternational.keypublishing.com/hot-shots-club-august-2022/

2022 Club Competitions took place over the weekend of Saturday 13th and 14th August under the unrelenting sun. Shade was created and plenty of fluid supplied to ensure play took place. 

Almost all finals were exceedingly tight with many going all the way, with the Gwillym Perrett taking a staggering 37 ends to decide the winner. 

Finals took place from 2.30 on Saturday with some played into the evening followed by a Fish and Chip Supper and music supplied by our own Bob, Keith and Richard (we must find them a band name, and not the Covid Trio, as some refer to them as) 

More Finals followed on Sunday morning with the exception of the Open Pairs which will be played over the next few weeks, following injury to one of the participants. 

Trophies were presented by our President Gordon Pearce and the Singles trophies by Paul Franklin of Franklin Memorials one of our very valued Sponsors. 

Many thanks to all those who helped present the green in such a wonderful condition, organise and provide the food, man the bar and who undertook the many other jobs needed to put on such an event. Special thanks to Phil Lane for overseeing this year’s competitions. Let’s hope next year’s are even better supported. 

The Full List of Competition Winners and Runners Up is as follows:

                                                     Winner                                                                   Runner-Up

Ladies Singles:                            Linda Young                                                          Deanne Davis 

Men’s Singles:                             Tom Pittuck                                                           Ian Webb

Men’s 2 Wood:                            Kieron Pollock                                                      Chris Mussen   

Open Handicap Singles:            Jo Hicks                                                                 Linda Young

Gwillym Perret Singles:            Kieron Pollock                                                       Keith Latimer

Beginners Trophy:                     Julie Edgington                                                      David Craggs 

Mixed Triples:                            Ian Webb, Keith Latimer, Andy Sears                Shaun Hicks, Red Nortier, John Spencer

Open Over 55 Singles:              Kevin Brown                                                         Deanne Davis

Open Pairs:                                Gary Willis & Ian Dandy                                       John Jordan & John Tompkins

Open Plate Singles:                   Paul Barrow                                                          Ian Webb

Men’s Pairs:                               Kieron Pollock & Rob Etherington                      Neil Biles & Gary Willis