Ormskirk Bowling Club

There was a good turnout last Sunday of 18 bowlers to fight it out for the honour of being the Club’s singles champion for 2023, with a good mix of experienced players right through to beginners and one of the club’s youngest players (Jenson Clare) also bravely taking part. Players were divided up into 4 groups with the winners or each group going through to the semi finals. They had to play both on the artificial and the grass greens to ensure that it was totally fair.

Group A saw Aaron Backhouse qualifying from the group of 4. Beginner Sue Graham fought valiantly but still got the wooden spoon with Mike Sylvester and Lorraine Birchall both playing well. Group B was another 4 person group and favourite Dave Hulse came through as expected, with beginner Kaz McAvoy doing well to come second, Leanne Clare and Pauline Silvester completed the last 2 places.

Group C was rightly called the ‘Group of Death’ with former winner Ian Mayne and top Federation Bowler Mike ‘Faganator’ Fagan. both in there, as well as the bookies outside chance Dean Simmonds and Phil Birchall. It was always going to be an uphill struggle for beginner, Marilyn Ramsden. Despite Ian beating Mike in their match, Dean produced a superb performance to beat Ian. With Mike racking up bigger wins in his other games he went through with a better points score, Dean not finishing far behind Ian. Finally in Group D the main challenger to Ian Gill was Dave Roper, who just lost out in a tight game to Ian, and finished second in the Group. Keith Knaggs and John Clare filled the 3rd and 4th spots respectively. Young Jenson Clare fought well but still came last in the group, however he is one to watch out for in the future.

The semi finals were drawn out and Mike and Aaron were pitted together. It was a tight game which came down to the final end but Mike just took it 8-7. In the other semi Ian took on Dave, and Dave just couldn’t recover from being down after the first 6 ends on the artificial. It finished 12-7 to Ian

So to the final and Mike just couldn’t reproduce his form from the semi final and the title was Ian’s for the second year in a row with an 11-1 triumph. Some pictures from the comp are shown below. It was a great afternoon and thanks to all those that came and made it such a great event.

After a green inspection just now the greens are fit to play so if you are coming please arrive by 12.45 at the latest.

Due to the heavy rain overnight and this morning there will be a green inspection at just before 12 noon to see if the green is fit and safe to play on this afternoon. The decision will be posted on this website so please keep your eyes peeled for news.

Just a reminder that the above event, open to all members, takes place tomorrow (Sunday). Please arrive by 12.45pm for a prompt start and please bring some change-entrance fee £2 each. The forecast seems fine but we will check the condition of the greens before the start due to the heavy rain we have been having.

After a visit to Victoria Park C and a resounding 11 – 2 win Ormskirk Bowling Club seniors were confirmed  Div 2 champions of the Aughton seniors league.The players celebrated with a well earned after match get together (pictured above).

Not only did this team become champions, but the Ormskirk Academy team, led by Alan Bellis, finished as runners up. So both teams are promoted to the First Division for next year.

Well done to both teams for their magnificent performances this year.

Our illustrious Secretary, Nigel Whitehurst, celebrated his 60th birthday yesterday at the away game at Victoria Park. Nigel is pictured receiving his cake from Captain Nick Slater. Nigel does so much great work for the Club quietly behind the scenes and his birthday was worthy of a celebration.

This years’ ‘Bowl for Fun’ sessions have been a great success with 41 different people attending over the course of the six sessions on a Thursday evening.

This culminated in a special pairs competition held last Thursday for our attendees. 11 pairs lined up for the inaugural ‘Beginners Cup. They were split into three Groups for a round robin stage. In Group A it was incredibly close, with Sue & Kaz coming out on top with +1, Jim & Brenda in second with 0 and Lizzie & Barbara a close third with -1.

Group B was well won by father and son team, John & Jenson, with +7 points. Neil & Kathryn pulled it back on their last game, winning 9-0 to put their points total to +3. This was enough to send them through to the semis as the best runners up in the two groups of 4 and scuppered Rita & Aidan’s chances of qualifying and sent them to the bottom of the group. Tracie and Ros ended up in third place in the group. Finally, in Group C, it was an exceedingly tight finish with Richard & Alan finishing top with +3, Andy & Dave a close second on +2, Alan & Nick third with +1 and Marilyn & Leanne finishing in fourth.

In the 3 end semis Sue & Kaz just overcame John & Jenson 3-1 in a tight game. Richard & Alan dominated their semi, winning 6-0, with Neil & Kathryn just not able to get going over the three ends.

So to the final and it proved to be a dramatic ending. Two ends were played on each green with Alan & Richard going into the last end on the grass 5-1 up and it seemed to be all over. However, Sue & Kaz managed a dramatic 4 on the last end to level it up at 5-5 and put the match into a sudden death end. Richard lined up his last bowl with the pair being down and staring defeat in the face. He played his bowl, hit one of their other bowls, which then proceeded to trickle in to win the final, to audible gasps from the baying crowd! A fitting dramatic end to an excellent competition and a big thank you to all those from the club who helped out.

Frank Cosgrove’s funeral will be held on 3rd August at 4pm at the West Lancashire Crematorium, Burscough for those that wish to attend.

The next club competition will take place as above. We would like to ask for one or two members to run this-full guidance will be given. Please contact the secretary if you are interested, you can still take part in the competition. Please arrive by 12.45pm for a prompt start. Entry fee £2.

The Club is very sad to inform you that Frank Cosgrove passed away on Wednesday. Frank played for our Ormskirk Castle team. He was a lovely friendly kind man who was always keen to encourage both new bowlers and our junior players. Frank was one of those instrumental in the building of the green at Asmall House on Asmall Lane and was a member of the Aughton Town Green team that played there from its inception until the closure of the green around 2 years ago. Frank had unfortunately had some personal tragedies recently with the death of his daughter and his wife suffering from dementia, both of which greatly affected him. He will be greatly missed. Our condolences are with Frank’s family

There is further sad news with the passing yesterday of Brian Smith, who had been coming along to our beginners’ sessions on a Thursday evening with his wife Carol. Despite suffering from dementia Brian greatly enjoyed the bowling sessions at the club and came along to one of our cup competitions this year. Brian collapsed on the green last Thursday suffering from a bleed on the brain and was taken to Aintree Hospital where he passed away. Our condolences go to Carol and all his family. All our beginners have been expressing their sympathy on our Beginners’ WhatsApp Group.