Ormskirk Bowling Club

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.

Congratulations to the winners who were selected at last night’s match. Your winnings will be credited shortly.

1st Prize Margaret Copeland £40

2nd Prize Keith Knaggs £25

Please see the 100 Club tab on the website if you wish to join at a cost of £5 per month per ticket to support the club.

Sixteen bowlers entered the annual ‘Chairman’s Cup’ and an enjoyable afternoon was had by all. The  draw produced a number of strong pairings, who were split into two groups of four. The winners of each group progressed straight to the final. 

Group One saw Haydn Preece and Phil Birchall come out on top with an aggregate of +14, narrowly pipping Mike Fagan and Keith Knaggs on +8. 

Group Two saw Steve James and ‘Magic’ Marg Copeland run out as comfortable winners with a +19 aggregate. 

The final was a close contest. Haydn and Phil flew out of the blocks with a three at the first end and held the lead at the transition from the grass to the carpet. However, Margaret and Steve dominated on the carpet with ‘Magic’ leading superbly. Haydn stuck with the final wood of the 8th end and took the jack off superbly, when Steve and Marg were lying game. No end. A ninth end was required with Haydn and Phil needing three to take the final into sudden death. They were lying two when Haydn sent the final wood. It was just too heavy and touched the block on to Magic’s wood. The final score was 10-6 but it was a much closer contest than that. 

Steve was the first to admit that Marg had been the key to their success with her fantastic leading all afternoon. However, for the third year running, the Chairman got to lift the Chairman’s Cup. 

Thanks to everyone who came along and made it a grand afternoon. 

Please note that both greens will be closed next Monday from 9am for contractors to undertake tree surgery. They will open again on completion.

Thank you.

The next club competition open to all members is a pairs comp with names drawn out of a hat. Entry fee £2 please arrive by 12.45pm for a prompt start. Our Chairman, Steve James, will be coordinating.

Congratulations to the winners who were selected at Tuesday’s fixtures.

1st Prize Roland Wilkinson £40

2nd Prize Pauline Snelson £25

Please see the 100 Club tab on the website if you wish to join at a cost of £5 per month per ticket to support the club.

A superb days bowling in fantastic weather saw 28 people competing for the new Ken Knowles Memorial Trophy, in honour of our former Treasurer. it was great to see some of our newer bowlers coming along and taking part.

The semi finals were fairly one sided affairs with Mike Fagan & Ian Prescott winning one and Peter Grimes & Keith Knaggs the other. The final proved to be a close tense affair. Peter & Keith took an early lead but it was level pegging going into the final end on a grass green that was flying. Ian put one within a couple of feet and that was enough, with one of Peter’s woods just trickling through and Keith’s last wood just pulling up when it looked like it might reach. Thus Ian & Mike took the first Ken Knowles’ Memorial Trophy.

So far a magnificent 43 people have been introduced to bowls over our 3 Bowl for Fun sessions. There was a great turnout this evening with 28 people turning up to sample the delights of crown green bowling. Congratulations to Jim who took the ‘spider’ game trophy. Also a big thanks to Emma, Nigel, Dave, Pauline and Mike who assisted. Hopefully some of these new bowlers will come along to the Ken Knowles Memorial Trophy comp on Sunday.