It seems only yesterday since the new season started, but beleive it or not, we have already reached the half way mark so it is a good time to reflect on the story so far.
The latest league tables make for good reading for the Lodge with both A and B Teams heading their respective Divisions.
The A team has produced a steady start to the year and the latest tables showing them in 1st place with a 2 point cushion over Park and 3 points over Guild but with Guild having a game in hand ( v. Blackhall away) .The season so far has had a few ups and downs with loses to Guild & Eldon Grove, but some notable wins especially against Old Boys, Blackhall, Horden, Seaton, JWP, Lowhills and in particular a fine 5-1 win over a strong Park team in their latest game.
The B Team too are going very well and at last count held a 9.5 point lead at the top of Division 3 but again 2nd placed Grayfields have a game in hand (against bottom team Rich West). Notable wins over RNA, Grayfields, Moor, Peterlee, Supporters, Town and a draw with Belle Vue. The only defeat being a 4-2 reverse at Rich West.
Unfortunately the C Team are still struggling this year propping up Division 5 with only 9 points from 7 games. The unfortunate situation of players not turning up has hampered the efforts of those willing to turn up week in and week out. The efforts of Brian Hoey, Matt Daley, Alec Robbie and all, deserve better support from some of our 'fair weather' bowlers.
Away from the leagues the Lodge are progressing well in the Bowls England (EBA) National Double 4's and Top Club events.
After beating Durham's Hundens Park in the Area 1 4th round of the double 4's they now play Dunston at home in the Area quarter final on Sunday 29th June........... (NOTE Lodge won Dunston by 5 shots and play either Willows BC or Gosforth BC, both from Northumberland, in the next round) .
In the Top Club event the Lodge team are progressing well after winning Dunston Bowing Club in the Area 1 3rd round and due to play Backworth Welfare BC of Northumberland in the next round on Tuesday 1st July.
The latest league tables make for good reading for the Lodge with both A and B Teams heading their respective Divisions.
The A team has produced a steady start to the year and the latest tables showing them in 1st place with a 2 point cushion over Park and 3 points over Guild but with Guild having a game in hand ( v. Blackhall away) .The season so far has had a few ups and downs with loses to Guild & Eldon Grove, but some notable wins especially against Old Boys, Blackhall, Horden, Seaton, JWP, Lowhills and in particular a fine 5-1 win over a strong Park team in their latest game.
The B Team too are going very well and at last count held a 9.5 point lead at the top of Division 3 but again 2nd placed Grayfields have a game in hand (against bottom team Rich West). Notable wins over RNA, Grayfields, Moor, Peterlee, Supporters, Town and a draw with Belle Vue. The only defeat being a 4-2 reverse at Rich West.
Unfortunately the C Team are still struggling this year propping up Division 5 with only 9 points from 7 games. The unfortunate situation of players not turning up has hampered the efforts of those willing to turn up week in and week out. The efforts of Brian Hoey, Matt Daley, Alec Robbie and all, deserve better support from some of our 'fair weather' bowlers.
Away from the leagues the Lodge are progressing well in the Bowls England (EBA) National Double 4's and Top Club events.
After beating Durham's Hundens Park in the Area 1 4th round of the double 4's they now play Dunston at home in the Area quarter final on Sunday 29th June........... (NOTE Lodge won Dunston by 5 shots and play either Willows BC or Gosforth BC, both from Northumberland, in the next round) .
In the Top Club event the Lodge team are progressing well after winning Dunston Bowing Club in the Area 1 3rd round and due to play Backworth Welfare BC of Northumberland in the next round on Tuesday 1st July.
Owton Lodge Bowling Club
Club News
Well done to Glenn Skipp in on his achievement of reaching the World Indoor Bowl Championships at Potters in Norfolk. Glenn unfortunately lost his First Round match to Ceriann Davies from Austrailia in a tight game he lost 6-5 7-7.
He is however compensated with the fact that he has improved his World ranking from 30th to 28th place.
He is however compensated with the fact that he has improved his World ranking from 30th to 28th place.
New Club Polo shirts are now available which will include a copy of the club badge and possibly the wearers name underneath. The shirts are of the new breathable type material and are white in colour so can be used in the Indoor if you wish. The shirts are expected to cost £10 each, dependant on the total amount ordered by he club.
If you wish to to purchase a shirt (or 2 perhaps?) then please contact Dave Kilner .
If you wish to to purchase a shirt (or 2 perhaps?) then please contact Dave Kilner .
Owton Lodge Polo Shirts now Available
Glenn Skipp - World Indoor Bowls Championship
Hail to the Chief...
Congratulations go to Norman Taylor on becoming the new club President. Norman was unanamously voted as the new club president at the clubs AGM on the 30th January. Also well done to the Re-elected Club Secretary Bill Nicholson and Treasurer Maurice Anderson. (For all elected officials see the Officers - Captains link on the left hand side).
Don Lake
The Club has received news that Don Lake sadly passed away on April 15th following illness.
Don was a much liked and respected member of the Lodge for some years and will be remembered not just for his abilities on the green with a knack of always 'getting one in' when you needed it most, but more importantly his abiity to think of others, to help and encourage players and never to critisise when things don't go well.
Don was proud to be the Club Saturday Captain for a number of years and could often be seen putting out the mats, jacks and score boards over an hour before a home game and again helping put it all away again after the match had finished.
In Don, we have lost a good bowler, but even more, we have all lost a good and well respected friend.
Don was a much liked and respected member of the Lodge for some years and will be remembered not just for his abilities on the green with a knack of always 'getting one in' when you needed it most, but more importantly his abiity to think of others, to help and encourage players and never to critisise when things don't go well.
Don was proud to be the Club Saturday Captain for a number of years and could often be seen putting out the mats, jacks and score boards over an hour before a home game and again helping put it all away again after the match had finished.
In Don, we have lost a good bowler, but even more, we have all lost a good and well respected friend.
Good luck to Dave Fenwick who has received news that he is to have a trial for the England outdoor Team at the end of May 2008. Dave has been nominated by Durham County together with David Bolt. It is the first England trial for any Hartlepool player since Cliff Simpson18 years ago. The trial is just reward for Dave who has enjoyed a number successes over the past few years including numerous County, Northern England titles and National success last year with the County double fours team and again this week end as part of the Durham County Indoor Liberty Trophy winning team.
Congratulations also to former Lodge player Michael Bertram on gaining a Under 25 England trial.
Congratulations also to former Lodge player Michael Bertram on gaining a Under 25 England trial.
Fenwick for England....?
Congrats (once again) go to Glenn Skipp in his reaching the final of the 2008 England Indoor Singles. After a hectic day on which the quarter final, semi final and final were all played, Glenn managed to reach the final but alas was beaten 21-12 by Gary Smith from Stanley.
The achievement of reaching the final itself after battling through round after round since last October goes to show how good a competitor Glenn is.
The achievement of reaching the final itself after battling through round after round since last October goes to show how good a competitor Glenn is.
English National Indoor Finalist
Durham County Success
As the 2007-08 Indoor season draws to a close Durham County are celebrating success in the England Inter County Championship Liberty Trophy competition . In a team including nine Hartlepool players (including the Owton Lodges Dave Fenwick, Glenn Skipp and Mark O'Riordan) they comfortably beat Hamshire 133-98 in the final at Nottingham.
We have received the great news that the clubs application for a £10,000 grant for an 'Awards for All' National Lottery grant has been successful.
The club applied for the grant in order to obtain vital irrigation equipment and machinery for the green will enable us to provide a better playing surface for the members and visitors alike.
The clubs General Committee has already shown it's commitment to improving the playing surface and playing standards with the purchase of machinery and the restoration of the old cutter to improve the green. This with the help of good recent weather and a lot of hard work from Brian Price is already providing great results.
Once the watering system is installed we will be able to provide vital irrigation to the green usually in the evening / early morning when it is most beneficial to the grass. It will also mean that or beloved club secretary won't have to resort to spending the night sleeping on one of the benches as he has done in the past in an attempt to get as much water on the green at night whilst the pressure is high, during dry spells.
Our thanks go to all at Awards for All for making this possible, and to Brian Price in particular for his work in helping gain the award.
This however is just the start. Much work will be needed from everyone in the club over the coming weeks and months to ensue the installation runs smoothly and so we can all benefit from the watering system for years to come.
The club applied for the grant in order to obtain vital irrigation equipment and machinery for the green will enable us to provide a better playing surface for the members and visitors alike.
The clubs General Committee has already shown it's commitment to improving the playing surface and playing standards with the purchase of machinery and the restoration of the old cutter to improve the green. This with the help of good recent weather and a lot of hard work from Brian Price is already providing great results.
Once the watering system is installed we will be able to provide vital irrigation to the green usually in the evening / early morning when it is most beneficial to the grass. It will also mean that or beloved club secretary won't have to resort to spending the night sleeping on one of the benches as he has done in the past in an attempt to get as much water on the green at night whilst the pressure is high, during dry spells.
Our thanks go to all at Awards for All for making this possible, and to Brian Price in particular for his work in helping gain the award.
This however is just the start. Much work will be needed from everyone in the club over the coming weeks and months to ensue the installation runs smoothly and so we can all benefit from the watering system for years to come.
Awards for All Grant Bid
Comisserations to Dave Fenwick who following his recent England trial, has not been picked in the final squad to play in the BIBC International Series this year The 'trial' itself was well named with torrential wind and rain making the green more suited to water polo than bowls and spoiling the chances of many to break into an already proven and sucessful England Team.
Comisserations also to former member Michael Bertram who also missed out on selection for the England Under 25's squad.
Comisserations also to former member Michael Bertram who also missed out on selection for the England Under 25's squad.
Dave Fenwick England Trial
2008 The story so far......
County Comp.'s
Well done to Dave Kilner, Cliff Simpson, Michael Simpson, Maurice Anderson & Colin Box on reaching the County 4's final and to Jim Ainger, Albert Lines, Paul Stephenson and Albert Ward in their achievement on reaching the County Triples Final. Unfortunately both squads lost their respective final games played at the Houghton Dairy Lane green.
Jim, Albie and Albert went down 12-9 in a very close and entertaining game of triples in which they came very close to pinching on the last end. Their game was played early morning to allow Andy Kirkland from Darlington RA to compete in the 3 finals he reached this year. ( Andy went onto win all three - 2-wood singles, pairs & triples).
The rinks quartet of Maurice, Dave Kilner, Colin and Cliff went down 22-12 to the Park quartet skipped by John Wells, with two ends remaining.
In reaching their finals, both the Triples and Rinks qualify to go to Worthing next month and represent Bowls Durham in the Bowls England finals. Good luck to both squads and to the Park quartet in Worthing.
Jim, Albie and Albert went down 12-9 in a very close and entertaining game of triples in which they came very close to pinching on the last end. Their game was played early morning to allow Andy Kirkland from Darlington RA to compete in the 3 finals he reached this year. ( Andy went onto win all three - 2-wood singles, pairs & triples).
The rinks quartet of Maurice, Dave Kilner, Colin and Cliff went down 22-12 to the Park quartet skipped by John Wells, with two ends remaining.
In reaching their finals, both the Triples and Rinks qualify to go to Worthing next month and represent Bowls Durham in the Bowls England finals. Good luck to both squads and to the Park quartet in Worthing.
In recent weeks the Lodge teams sadly were finally defeated in the semi and quarter finals of the Top Club and Two - fours events, to Nurthumbrian teams Willows BC in the two - fours and to Backworth BC in the Top Club. In two very hard competitions the Lodge beat some notable stiff opposition in both.
Although disappointed in not quite reaching the area finals stage, the players can take heart from some very good performances and go into next years competitions with confidence and determination
Although disappointed in not quite reaching the area finals stage, the players can take heart from some very good performances and go into next years competitions with confidence and determination
Bowls England Comp's
The Lodge's County triples and Rink finalists travelled down to the South coast this week to compete in the All England competitions and both came away with respectable wins in the first round (triples 18-13 over Herefordshire B and the rinks 23-17 over Kent A) however were both beaten in their next matches (triples 28-20 by semi finalists Essex B and the rinks 25-10 against quarter finalists Cornwall A).
It's a great achievement for the players and a great honour for any club to have any representitives in the National finals let alone 2 sets of players in one year. Well done to all those who took part.
It's a great achievement for the players and a great honour for any club to have any representitives in the National finals let alone 2 sets of players in one year. Well done to all those who took part.
Worthing
2008 / continued
As the outdoor season starts to come to a close, there is still much to play for in both the league and cup.
The A team look to close in on the Division 1 title yet again this year and although the Lodge appear in the best position, things are very tight at the top. Both Lodge and Park cancelled their respective games this week due to players involved at the National Championships at Worthing and the Lodge hold just a 0.5 point advantage over Park but with a game in hand. It may well all come down to the Lodge v Park game on the last scheduled game of the season.
In Division 3 the B team have all but wrapped the title up following a narrow 3.5 - 2.5 over closest rivals RNA in a game brought forward. This leaves the B team needing only 3 points from 3 games on the assumption RNA gain maximum points from their remaining games.
On the cup front, the Lodge have once again progressed to the final of the Cec Foster cup following a close fought win over Old Boys. They now meet Guild in the final to be played at The Friarage green on Sunday 31st August .
The A team look to close in on the Division 1 title yet again this year and although the Lodge appear in the best position, things are very tight at the top. Both Lodge and Park cancelled their respective games this week due to players involved at the National Championships at Worthing and the Lodge hold just a 0.5 point advantage over Park but with a game in hand. It may well all come down to the Lodge v Park game on the last scheduled game of the season.
In Division 3 the B team have all but wrapped the title up following a narrow 3.5 - 2.5 over closest rivals RNA in a game brought forward. This leaves the B team needing only 3 points from 3 games on the assumption RNA gain maximum points from their remaining games.
On the cup front, the Lodge have once again progressed to the final of the Cec Foster cup following a close fought win over Old Boys. They now meet Guild in the final to be played at The Friarage green on Sunday 31st August .
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The latest from the green is that the B Team secured the Division 3 league title with a 4-2 win at Peterlee, making them league champions two years in a row. This was followed up with a 5½ - ½ win against Town and a 5-1 win over Supporters to complete the season. The B Teams record this season reads : W.14 D.1 L.1. - Not a bad record for a team who’s probable intentions at the start of the season were to consolidate following promotion last year..! Ironically their only loss was the 4 - 2 reverse to Div 3’s. bottom club Rich. West. (See 2007 Archive).
The A team also took a large stride towards regaining the Div 1 crown this week with a fine 5 - 1 win away to closest rivals the Park. This gives the Lodge a 9½ point lead in the title chase and with both the Lodge and Park having 2 games remaining, they need only to gain a further 3 points to ensure the Div.1 league title returns to the club again this year.
The C Team again struggled for numbers this year despite the promise that new members looked as if they would bring. Illness, People dropping out of the Club and people just deciding not to turn up unless it was a bright sunny day. This put a lot of pressure on those who regularly turned up and then had to play with 3 woods and with 1/3 points removed. Well done to Brian Hoey, Matt Daley, Alec Robbie, Bill Hatch, Fred Lester, Brian White, Arthur Frankland & all for turning out regularly in difficult situations.
The A team also took a large stride towards regaining the Div 1 crown this week with a fine 5 - 1 win away to closest rivals the Park. This gives the Lodge a 9½ point lead in the title chase and with both the Lodge and Park having 2 games remaining, they need only to gain a further 3 points to ensure the Div.1 league title returns to the club again this year.
The C Team again struggled for numbers this year despite the promise that new members looked as if they would bring. Illness, People dropping out of the Club and people just deciding not to turn up unless it was a bright sunny day. This put a lot of pressure on those who regularly turned up and then had to play with 3 woods and with 1/3 points removed. Well done to Brian Hoey, Matt Daley, Alec Robbie, Bill Hatch, Fred Lester, Brian White, Arthur Frankland & all for turning out regularly in difficult situations.
2008 /
It was once again a very productive town finals weekend for the Lodge held this year at Friar Terrace and in particular a good weekend for Jimmy Ainger. Together with Albie Lines in the Pairs final Jim took on a experienced Horden duo of S. Lee & D. Kirkup on the Saturday and came out with a 19-13 win. Well done to both Albie & Jim.
Jim then went onto add the Town singles title to the pairs with a narrow 21-20 win over last years finalist Steve Hutchinson of the Boilermakers on Sunday morning. Both Jim & Albie also featured in the Lodge's success in the Cec Foster final on the Sunday afternoon.
The Lodge once again triumphed in a closely fought Cec Foster final against Guild at the Friar Terrace green. On a tricky fast surface the Lodge squad eventually won the game by 10 shots, however the game was much closer than the score suggests. From the start the Lodge team built up a good lead, but the Guild side came back and took a 7 shot lead after 12 ends themselves. Then within 2 minutes the Lodge team picked up 3 counts of 4 shots and a count of 2 across the board to lead by 7. Still the Guild team came back and reduced this to just 3 shots with 3 ends to go. The Lodge team then pulled out the stops and lead on the last end of the last game by 6 shots. The opposition in their attempts to get the maximum count required to draw let the Lodge trio in to count 4 shots and wrap up the title.
Well done to the Lodge team and to all who took part in the competition this year.
The A Team secured a 'double' league and cup win for the club for the second year in a row this week with re-arranged games against Lowhills & JWP on Tuesday & Wednesday knowing that 3 points will make certain of the Division 1 title to add to the B'Teams Division 3 win this year. Two points proved enough at Lowills with the news that Park had also lost 4-2 . The JWP game result was then irrelevant and was played out over 15 ends due to the rain and onset of dark.
Jim then went onto add the Town singles title to the pairs with a narrow 21-20 win over last years finalist Steve Hutchinson of the Boilermakers on Sunday morning. Both Jim & Albie also featured in the Lodge's success in the Cec Foster final on the Sunday afternoon.
The Lodge once again triumphed in a closely fought Cec Foster final against Guild at the Friar Terrace green. On a tricky fast surface the Lodge squad eventually won the game by 10 shots, however the game was much closer than the score suggests. From the start the Lodge team built up a good lead, but the Guild side came back and took a 7 shot lead after 12 ends themselves. Then within 2 minutes the Lodge team picked up 3 counts of 4 shots and a count of 2 across the board to lead by 7. Still the Guild team came back and reduced this to just 3 shots with 3 ends to go. The Lodge team then pulled out the stops and lead on the last end of the last game by 6 shots. The opposition in their attempts to get the maximum count required to draw let the Lodge trio in to count 4 shots and wrap up the title.
Well done to the Lodge team and to all who took part in the competition this year.
The A Team secured a 'double' league and cup win for the club for the second year in a row this week with re-arranged games against Lowhills & JWP on Tuesday & Wednesday knowing that 3 points will make certain of the Division 1 title to add to the B'Teams Division 3 win this year. Two points proved enough at Lowills with the news that Park had also lost 4-2 . The JWP game result was then irrelevant and was played out over 15 ends due to the rain and onset of dark.
Town Finals Weekend
After beating Scots in the quarters and semis, Glenn faced Scott Bishop - also a Scot - in the Qualifier 4 final at Carlisle to reach the finals stages of the Scottish Open in November. Glenn, ranked 28 in the world, recovered from a narrow defeat in the second set to beat his Coatbridge opponent 9-6, 6-7, 2-1.
Glenn qualified for the Potters Holidays World Championship at the beginning of this year - and reached the last sixteen in the Welsh International Open in 2007.
Glenn (Mc)Skipp in Scottish Open
Green & Surround Maintenance
Lodge Presentation Night 2008
Sat 22nd November
Sat 22nd November
I am pleased to say that the irrigation system has now been installed (but not yet tested) at the green and the works to the surrounding footpaths is well under way. With the paving slabs raised to allow the new water system to be installed, the club have taken advantage and included for a weed suppression membrane under the slabs before they were re-laid. Hopefully the usual hard graft of weeding the footpaths at the start of each season will be greatly reduced as a result.
Works are also planned to remove and make good to the raised tarmac footpath at the main entrance. This will allow easier access to the green for all.
Dependant on remaining club funds, there are also plans to introduce a new groundsman's shed come store against the existing one. This is due to the space taken up by the new water control equipment in the existing shed. The proposal may also include a smaller shed to the side in which to store the mats, jacks and score boards (fingers crossed).
The remaining lottery funding will be required to provide a ‘brush cassette’ to fit onto the new cutting machine. The brush cassette will remove any debris from the green surface and lift the grass before cutting.
Work to the green continued once the season had finished. A hollow tyning machine on hire was used after a deep scarifying was carried out in late September. Root growth, moss killers and autumn fertilizers have also be sprayed on the green and re-seeding to bare patches completing the works and putting the green to bed for the winter. It’s been an awful lot of work for the various work squads which kindly turned out which will hopefully give a great playing surface next year.
Presentation Nights
The outdoor season is now a past memory however there is still a matter of the presentation of prizes to those who did well this year. The Lodge’s Presentation Night has been set this year on Saturday 22nd November at the Owton Lodge. This is generally a very enjoyable evening for both the Ladies and Gents sections which will as usual include a raffle with numerous donated prizes (over 50 prizes last year if memory serves me right) together with ‘Stand-up’ Bingo and a Buffet, all for just £1 per person.
The Hartlepool & District League presentation is to be held two days prior to the Club's, on Thursday 20th November at the Catholic Club. This is also a good night out and as usual the Owton Lodge is well represented in the prize giving. Jim Ainger picks up the town singles title as well as the town pairs title with Albie Lines. The Lodge also pick up the Division 1 & Division 3 mid week champions titles together with the Cec Foster Cup.
If your interested in going please see Bill Nicholson at the Indoor ASAP.
The Hartlepool & District League presentation is to be held two days prior to the Club's, on Thursday 20th November at the Catholic Club. This is also a good night out and as usual the Owton Lodge is well represented in the prize giving. Jim Ainger picks up the town singles title as well as the town pairs title with Albie Lines. The Lodge also pick up the Division 1 & Division 3 mid week champions titles together with the Cec Foster Cup.
If your interested in going please see Bill Nicholson at the Indoor ASAP.