The 2010 season is now well under way and after four games the Lodge teams have had a mixed start. The A team sit top of the Mid Week Division 1 with four wins from four, but things were close in their recent outing at Horden. The Lodge won the game 4-2, but were 2 shots down playing the final end of the last game. Albert Ward with the last bowl of the game drew in to lay 3 and take overall victory by a single shot. A 6-0 win at home to Old Boys followed.
The B team after loosing their first two games at Boilermakers and at home to Eldon Grove A were left bottom of Division 2, however wins at South Durham & Supporters and at home to United Services have pushed them up to fourth place.
The C Team have once again struggled in Division 5 with no wins from their 3 games played and again lay bottom of the league. The performance away to Eldon Grove C however did bring 2.5 points. The Lodge short handed on two rinks picking up 2 wins and a draw. Mat Daley in particular was in superb form skipping. On one end laying 4 down including an Eldon Grove wood 8 inches behind the jack, Mat managed to avoid a number of short woods and draw in between the Eldon Grove bowl and the jack. On the final end, Mat 2 up in the game, but laying 3 down, drew a perfect front toucher without moving the jack to take the game.
The Saturday team currently lay top of Saturday Division A with 5 wins from 5 games in what has been their best start for many years. Victory over Rich-West by the score of 5-1 ensures they remain above Stranton who before the game lay 2 points back in second place.
The Vets team have had a dream start to their season and from finishing near the bottom of the league last year currently top the table after 4 wins from 5 games and 5 points ahead of second placed Burn Valley A and 8 points ahead of GEC.
After last years success in the National Top Club competition and reaching the Regional finals, this year the Lodge failed to reach the second round in both the Top Club and Two Fours events going out to the Park and Stockton clubs respectively.
The B team after loosing their first two games at Boilermakers and at home to Eldon Grove A were left bottom of Division 2, however wins at South Durham & Supporters and at home to United Services have pushed them up to fourth place.
The C Team have once again struggled in Division 5 with no wins from their 3 games played and again lay bottom of the league. The performance away to Eldon Grove C however did bring 2.5 points. The Lodge short handed on two rinks picking up 2 wins and a draw. Mat Daley in particular was in superb form skipping. On one end laying 4 down including an Eldon Grove wood 8 inches behind the jack, Mat managed to avoid a number of short woods and draw in between the Eldon Grove bowl and the jack. On the final end, Mat 2 up in the game, but laying 3 down, drew a perfect front toucher without moving the jack to take the game.
The Saturday team currently lay top of Saturday Division A with 5 wins from 5 games in what has been their best start for many years. Victory over Rich-West by the score of 5-1 ensures they remain above Stranton who before the game lay 2 points back in second place.
The Vets team have had a dream start to their season and from finishing near the bottom of the league last year currently top the table after 4 wins from 5 games and 5 points ahead of second placed Burn Valley A and 8 points ahead of GEC.
After last years success in the National Top Club competition and reaching the Regional finals, this year the Lodge failed to reach the second round in both the Top Club and Two Fours events going out to the Park and Stockton clubs respectively.
Easington Withdraw from the HDBA
Easington Bowling Club have announced their withdrawal from the H&DBA Division 2. This means that the B - teams two games this season scheduled against Easington will now become 'byes' . The two games were due to be played on Mon. 21st June and Mon. 23rd August, the latter being the final week of the season.
We would ask that all B team regulars make themselves available to play for the C team on the next evenings instead.
We would ask that all B team regulars make themselves available to play for the C team on the next evenings instead.
2010 Pre -Season
The Lodge held it's now annual pre-season get together on Wednesday 14th April and we are pleased to welcome four new players to the club at the meeting.
M.Parvin, J. & H. Wright and K.Wilford are all experienced bowlers who will all add strength to the clubs teams. We also wecome back Barry Ashley to the club.
At the meeting Brian Price asked that rink 6 (east / west) be left alone and that all Vets games be played 'between' rinks until further notice to allow repairs and seeding to be carried out following a harsh winter.
M.Parvin, J. & H. Wright and K.Wilford are all experienced bowlers who will all add strength to the clubs teams. We also wecome back Barry Ashley to the club.
At the meeting Brian Price asked that rink 6 (east / west) be left alone and that all Vets games be played 'between' rinks until further notice to allow repairs and seeding to be carried out following a harsh winter.
Lowhills withdraw from the HDBA
Following on from Easington, Lowhills have also announced their withdrawal from the Hartlepool & District Bowling Association, and the Lodges Mid-Week Division 1 games scheduled against them are to become 'byes'.
Please would all A team regulars make themselves available to play for the B or C team during those weeks.
Please would all A team regulars make themselves available to play for the B or C team during those weeks.
2010 Season to Date
Club Competitions
Dates have now been set for the Club's 'Sunday' competitions
CLUB PAIRS Sunday July 11th 10:15a.m. Start Report to clubhouse by 10.00a.m
Format to be decided on the day - ALL WELCOME
JOHN MAHAFFY SINGLES Sunday July 25th 10:15a.m. Start Report to clubhouse by 10:00a.m
Format to be decided on the day - ALL WELCOME
GEORGE MCNEE OPEN TRIPLES Sunday 15th August (2:00pm Start) Report to Clubhouse by 1:45pm
Format to be decided on the day - ALL WELCOME
GALOWAY PAIRS Saturday August 21st 2p.m. Start Report to clubhouse by 1.45p.m
Format to be decided on the day - ALL WELCOME
CLUB PAIRS Sunday July 11th 10:15a.m. Start Report to clubhouse by 10.00a.m
Format to be decided on the day - ALL WELCOME
JOHN MAHAFFY SINGLES Sunday July 25th 10:15a.m. Start Report to clubhouse by 10:00a.m
Format to be decided on the day - ALL WELCOME
GEORGE MCNEE OPEN TRIPLES Sunday 15th August (2:00pm Start) Report to Clubhouse by 1:45pm
Format to be decided on the day - ALL WELCOME
GALOWAY PAIRS Saturday August 21st 2p.m. Start Report to clubhouse by 1.45p.m
Format to be decided on the day - ALL WELCOME
'A' Team Record Finally Falls
After almost two years the Lodge A team finally surrendered their unbeaten run of league games in Mid Week Division 1. The run was halted at John Whitehead Park on Monday evening (12 / 7 / 10) with a close 5-1 reverse in which the Lodge lost 2 rinks by one shot and won another by a single shot. (Cliff Simpson's rink managed to pick up a six on the last end to win by one ).
The loss brings to an end a remarkable run of 31 wins in the top flight for the Lodge A team which includes 4 wins from the 2008 season, all 18 games of the 2009 season and the first 9 games of this season. To give an idea of the extent of the record breaking run, the last defeat was prior to the Bejing Olympic Games in 2008, over 6 months before Barack Obama moved into the White House and a time when petrol prices had risen to all time high ( I guess some things just don't change..! ).
With the record out of the way the Lodge can now concentrate on the Division 1 title. After the previous weeks games the Lodge stood 3 points clear of Horden with a game in hand.
The B team currently look strong contenders for the second place spot in Division 2 following a 4.5 - 1.5 win away to previously unbeated leaders Eldon Grove 'A' followed by a 5-1 win over second placed SDSC. The win effectively puts the Lodge team 0.5 points above SDSC with a game in hand.
The C team still struggling at the foot of Division 5 managed to pick up 2 points at home to Eldon Grove C despite only managing to field 8 players.
The surprise of the season is the form of the Saturday team. After a 6-0 home win over Moor (which put the team in second place) they followed it up with an outstanding 6-0 away win at Horden last weekend (10 / 7 / 10). With the strength of the Horden Saturday team over the years, any victory in their back yard is rare, a 6-0 win almost never known, but a short handed 6-0 win must be virtually unique. Prior to the result the Lodge lay 2 points behind Old Boys with a game in hand. A further 6-0 win (the Sat team's fourth 6-0 in a row) over Seaton keeps the Lodge well on the heals of Old Boys.
The loss brings to an end a remarkable run of 31 wins in the top flight for the Lodge A team which includes 4 wins from the 2008 season, all 18 games of the 2009 season and the first 9 games of this season. To give an idea of the extent of the record breaking run, the last defeat was prior to the Bejing Olympic Games in 2008, over 6 months before Barack Obama moved into the White House and a time when petrol prices had risen to all time high ( I guess some things just don't change..! ).
With the record out of the way the Lodge can now concentrate on the Division 1 title. After the previous weeks games the Lodge stood 3 points clear of Horden with a game in hand.
The B team currently look strong contenders for the second place spot in Division 2 following a 4.5 - 1.5 win away to previously unbeated leaders Eldon Grove 'A' followed by a 5-1 win over second placed SDSC. The win effectively puts the Lodge team 0.5 points above SDSC with a game in hand.
The C team still struggling at the foot of Division 5 managed to pick up 2 points at home to Eldon Grove C despite only managing to field 8 players.
The surprise of the season is the form of the Saturday team. After a 6-0 home win over Moor (which put the team in second place) they followed it up with an outstanding 6-0 away win at Horden last weekend (10 / 7 / 10). With the strength of the Horden Saturday team over the years, any victory in their back yard is rare, a 6-0 win almost never known, but a short handed 6-0 win must be virtually unique. Prior to the result the Lodge lay 2 points behind Old Boys with a game in hand. A further 6-0 win (the Sat team's fourth 6-0 in a row) over Seaton keeps the Lodge well on the heals of Old Boys.
Congratulations to Mat Daley who this week becomes the club's first nonagenarian. Mat's till going strong and determined to play as many games as possible and giving away as many mint imperials as possible whilst telling as many jokes as possible ( some of them are even clean one's ). Our elder statesman celebrates over 45 years as a member of the Lodge this year.
Mat Daley - 90 Years and counting
With the 2010 season coming towards it’s close and with a temporary halt to the season because of the Tall Ships event, it gives time to reflect on the season so far. As it stands, things are looking very good for three of the Owton Lodge teams.
The Lodge A with 3 games remaining have a 7 point lead over nearest rivals Horden. Guild are a further 4.5 points behind and Park a further 2.5 points adrift but with 2 games in hand (one of which is against the Lodge).This all means, with the better points difference, as things stand 11 points from the 3 games secures the Division 1 title this year.
With Eldon Grove A well out front in Division 2, the battle is for the second promotion place. Currently the Lodge B hold the position with a 4 point gap over the South Durham. Seaton lay a further five points back following their 5-1 win against the Lodge and with a game in hand. Both the Lodge and South Durham have two games remaining meaning a maximum 9 points from 2 games secures promotion for the Lodge B. (SDSC are still to play away to leaders Eldon Grove).
The Lodge C are pinned firmly to the base of Division 5 and so far having only played 9 games. It is looking more and more unlikely that the Lodge C will complete their fixture list again this year and may well end up dropping out of the league all together. To date this season they have been 1/3 pointed on 25 occasions in their 9 games played.
The Saturday team with only one defeat this season, are still heading Division A with a 7 point lead (and a game in hand) over second placed Horden. Old Boys are currently 9 points from the Lodge total, both having played 14 of their 18 games. With the Lodge v Old Boys game cancelled (due to parking charges at the Lodge during the Tall Ships visit), the Lodge with a much better points difference need a maximum 15 points from their remaining four games to secure their first Saturday title.
When the game against Old Boys is re-arranged, every point gained against them effectively counts double for the Lodge.
The Lodge A with 3 games remaining have a 7 point lead over nearest rivals Horden. Guild are a further 4.5 points behind and Park a further 2.5 points adrift but with 2 games in hand (one of which is against the Lodge).
With Eldon Grove A well out front in Division 2, the battle is for the second promotion place. Currently the Lodge B hold the position with a 4 point gap over the South Durham. Seaton lay a further five points back following their 5-1 win against the Lodge and with a game in hand. Both the Lodge and South Durham have two games remaining meaning a maximum 9 points from 2 games secures promotion for the Lodge B. (SDSC are still to play away to leaders Eldon Grove).
The Lodge C are pinned firmly to the base of Division 5 and so far having only played 9 games. It is looking more and more unlikely that the Lodge C will complete their fixture list again this year and may well end up dropping out of the league all together. To date this season they have been 1/3 pointed on 25 occasions in their 9 games played.
The Saturday team with only one defeat this season, are still heading Division A with a 7 point lead (and a game in hand) over second placed Horden. Old Boys are currently 9 points from the Lodge total, both having played 14 of their 18 games. With the Lodge v Old Boys game cancelled (due to parking charges at the Lodge during the Tall Ships visit), the Lodge with a much better points difference need a maximum 15 points from their remaining four games to secure their first Saturday title.
When the game against Old Boys is re-arranged, every point gained against them effectively counts double for the Lodge.
The Final Count-down ......
Due to the Park A still having 2 games more to play than the Lodge in Division 1 (one of those against the Lodge), they are still in the running for the title. If they win both those games 6-0 it will leave them just 2 points behind the Lodge current total. As per the Saturday team against Old Boys, each point the Lodge gains in the re-arranged match against Park A effectively will count double...
CORRECTION
Congratulations to the Lodge B team who have secured promotion to Mid Week Division 1. Needing 9 points from there remaining two games to secure second place, they began with a 5-1 win on Monday (16/8/10) away to Rovers at Grayfields followed with a 5-1 home win on the following Wednesday against Eldon Grove B in the match re-arranged from the Tall Ships weekend.
With a Bye in the final games, the Lodge team secured a 10 point lead over 3rd placed SDSC and 4th placed Seaton.
With a Bye in the final games, the Lodge team secured a 10 point lead over 3rd placed SDSC and 4th placed Seaton.
Lodge 'B' Promoted to Div 1
The Lodge won their first Saturday League title since the 1970's after 3 wins in a week put them out of reach of both Old Boys and Horden. The week started with a 6-0 win at Grayfields followed with a 5-1 win away to Stranton (putting the Lodge above Hordens final total). The Stranton win effectively left the Lodge needing 2½ points from their final two games. The Lodge won a hard fought game over Old Boys in rapidly darkening conditions. After 18 ends the Old Boys looked on for at least 5 points, leading in three games by between 3-5 shots and trailing by only 2 in the fourth. Over the last 3 ends Cliff Simpson's rink reduced their deficit to just 3, Albert Ward's rink drew level at 15-15 on the 20th end and just missed out on the final end by 1 shot. Jim Ainger's rink increased their 2 shot lead to win by 6 to head the long game. The 'man short' rink of Bob George, Keith Wilford and Dave Fenwick picked up a 5 (nett 3 ¾) on the 20th end to lead by ¾ going into the last. Giving the jack away, they lay 1 down with just the skips to play to a full length jack in very dark conditions, Dave Fenwick trailed the jack for 2 shots with his first to secure both their point and the long game.
Lodge win the Saturday League
The Lodge once again featured prominently in the Town Finals Weekend with two sets of finalists playing. Congratulations to the Lodge trio of Tom Grainger, Albie Lines and Jim Ainger who took the town triples title with a comfortable 21-6 win with 3 ends to spare over Steve Lee's Horden trio. The game featured some low scoring early on however once the Lodge team took control, the result was never in doubt.
The Lodge's other finalist was Bob George in the Over 55 singles final against Fred Stringer from the Moor. The game was tight throughout with neither player letting the other get too far ahead on a fast green. With the score at 19-18 to Bob he layed the 2 shots required to take the title only for Fred to somehow get past short bowls and lay 3 shots and game himself. Bob was unable to alter the head and Fred took the win.
The Lodge's other finalist was Bob George in the Over 55 singles final against Fred Stringer from the Moor. The game was tight throughout with neither player letting the other get too far ahead on a fast green. With the score at 19-18 to Bob he layed the 2 shots required to take the title only for Fred to somehow get past short bowls and lay 3 shots and game himself. Bob was unable to alter the head and Fred took the win.
Town Finals Weekend
The Lodge 'A' finally secured the Mid Week Division 1 title once again after beating title rivals Park 4-2 away. After a disappointing 4-2 reversal at Stranton the week previous when they missed out in the 'long game' by a single shot, the Lodge still required a single point from nearest rivals Park to secure the title. - A 6-0 reversal would mean the title going to the Park.
The game against Park remained even on 3 rinks upto the 10th end and the Lodge held a 10 shot lead in the other through the efforts of Albie Lines, Jim Ainger and Dave Fenwick. Their lead was reduced to 2 shots over the next 8 ends, with two of the other rinks falling behind and Tom Grainger, Paul Stephenson and Cliff Simpson holding a lead of 3 shots. Cliff's rink then applied more pressure and forged ahead to lead by 9 with just 2 ends to play. Brian Price, Michael Simpson and Albert Ward reduced their deficit to 4 and Dave Fenwick's rink (now leading by 3) picked up a 5 count on the penultimate end to add to Cliff's rink's 11 shot win, the Lodge secured the 'long game', match & 2010 league title.
The game against Park remained even on 3 rinks upto the 10th end and the Lodge held a 10 shot lead in the other through the efforts of Albie Lines, Jim Ainger and Dave Fenwick. Their lead was reduced to 2 shots over the next 8 ends, with two of the other rinks falling behind and Tom Grainger, Paul Stephenson and Cliff Simpson holding a lead of 3 shots. Cliff's rink then applied more pressure and forged ahead to lead by 9 with just 2 ends to play. Brian Price, Michael Simpson and Albert Ward reduced their deficit to 4 and Dave Fenwick's rink (now leading by 3) picked up a 5 count on the penultimate end to add to Cliff's rink's 11 shot win, the Lodge secured the 'long game', match & 2010 league title.
Lodge 'A' Take Division 1 Title
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