Ormskirk Bowling Club

There was a superb turnout of 34 bowlers for this afternoon’s Roy Ashcroft Memorial Trophy competition. This included a good number of our newer bowlers. The bowlers were divided into pairs and then into three groups. Group A saw 6 pairs doing battle and there were some very tight games. Up to the last set of games Ian Gill & Peter Grimes had won all their games but young Aaron Backhouse & Dave Arnold had only lost one so if they could defeat them in the last game then it would go down to points difference, with Dave Hulse & Ian Prescott also just needing one more victory on their last game to stand a chance of getting through. In a very tight game it was 5-5 going into the last end but Aaron’s Yorkshire nerve just let him down and Peter & Ian took the last end by one point to win the match. Dave Hulse & Ian Prescott also lost their nerve in the last game and lost to Keith Knaggs & Mike Fagan Snr in a surprise upset.

Group B saw some further close games. Both Hannah & Ian Jones and Dave Roper & Ed Lyon had won all their games going into the final set of matches and in the ‘big showdown’ last match were playing each other. In the end Hannah & Ian made short work of it running out 12-0 to take the group. Earlier on they had been run close by Dave Leadbetter & Brian Johnstone who came close but narrowly lost 5-4.

Finally in Group C there were only 5 pairs, and the formidable pairings of Mike Fagan Jnr & Marg Copeland met Martin Roberts & Marilyn Lea in the first game, with Martin & Marilyn taking first blood, winning 11-2. Martin & Marilyn went on to win three games in total and drew one, which was just enough to pip Marg & Mike, who won three and lost one.

With the top pairings going through to the semi finals the best runners up from each group were put in a draw and it was Marg & Mike that were the fortunate pair to be drawn to take part in the semis.

The first semi was between Ian Gill & Peter Grimes against Hannah & Ian Jones on the grass green. A very close game went right down to the final end, with Ian & Peter just coming out on top 5-4. The second semi saw a rematch between Mike Fagan Jnr & Marg Copeland against Martin Roberts & Marilyn Lea on the artificial green. This was also a very close match with Mike & Marg getting their revenge and winning 7-6.

So, onto the final and in the end it was a bit of a one sided affair with Marg & Mike running out 8-2 winners with one end to spare, with both players playing superbly and not giving Ian & Peter an inch. So the winners of the 2021 Roy Ashcroft Memorial Trophy were Margaret Copeland & Mike Fagan, who not only scooped the trophy but £40 in prize money.

The main winner though was the bowling, with it being great to see both experienced players and beginners having such a great time. One of our newer players commented that it had been the best day she had had in 2 years, which was fantastic to hear.

Some pictures from the Roy Ashcroft Memorial Competition held today. A full report will follow.

Just a reminder that this pairs competition takes place this Sunday 1 August with a 1pm start. Pairs to be drawn on the day. We hope as many members as possible can attend.

Ian Gill will be going along to this event this Saturday, so if anyone would like to go and you would like a lift let Ian know and, subject to room in the car, he may be able to take you along. Top players will be attending, including the ever entertaining Callum Wraight.

The above competition will take place at the club with a 1pm start. This is a pairs competition open to all members with pairs drawn on the day. Please just turn up if you wish to participate.

Please can I just remind all members to lock the cricket club gate if there is no one left at the ground when you leave. Thank you.

Our new team in the Aughton & District Seniors League is flying high, as can be seen from the league table above. Under the astute captaincy of Nick ‘Slaternater’ Slater, this team of wily veterans remains undefeated and is sure to get promoted.

As a reminder to all our members, all results, tables and fixtures for every one of our teams can be found via our BowlsNet portal at http://www.bowlsnet.uk/OrmskirkBC.

The 2021 Crown Green Senior Merit Trophy (commonly known as the ‘All England’) will be played at Heaton Park, Manchester, on Saturday 24th July, commencing at 10am.

Admission is £5 and spectators will be permitted to bring in their own seating to the venue.  Refreshments will be available for purchase.

The full draw is attached below for anyone that would like to attend, why not go along and support the Lancashire players as well as seeing many of the top great players in action?

Sunday saw a fine afternoon’s bowling for the 2021 Chairman’s Cup. Altogether 22 people attended with a nice mix of seasoned pros and newcomers to the sport. The 11 pairs were divided into two groups. Group A was won by Steve James and David Croft, who won all their matches despite it being a tough group containing John Leadbetter & Mike Fagan, and Nick Slater & Steve Brookfield. The other Group was won by the surprise pairing of Dave Roper and Chris Molloy, both of whom are relatively new to the game. The group winners went straight through to the final.

The final was fairly easily won by James and Croft, taking it 10-3. Given David had only been bowling for 6 weeks that was a quite remarkable achievement. Fortunately the weather held and a good day was had by all.

Just a reminder to all our Members that the Chairmans Cup will take place next Sunday 4 July at 1pm. All Members are welcome, including those that have just joined, and the format is a pairs competition with names drawn out of a hat. We will try and place any beginners with more experienced players. You do not need to register beforehand but please try and arrive before 1pm so the draw can be made swiftly. We look forward to seeing you there.

The Club was proud to host the Ormskirk West Lancs team this afternoon, in their match against South Lancs. There were two home players in the team – Steve James and Ian Gill. Playing in the first four and roared on by quite a large and boisterous crowd, Steve had a cracking win (21-7). Ian followed in the second four and also had a convincing 21-9 win. Overall the team had 7 out of 12 winners and took the aggregate by 39 points. Unfortunately the away team lost heavily so South Lancs took the match overall.

Thank you to Martin Roberts for all his behind the scenes work in getting things ready as well as his speech welcoming players and supporters and announcing players onto the green, as well as all the organisation by Chris Ellis.