Category: Competition Reports

This is a 2-day event generously sponsored by Doug Carlin of Plant Welding Engineering, Colwick Nottingham.

Doug’s father first started the sponsorship back in 1996. After he retired his son Doug continued, increasing sponsorship over the years. Doug and his wife Gill always come along and present the prizes.
It was a good weekend, 30 bowlers taking part from all parts of the country.

Teams were split into 2 groups playing a round robin followed by the winners of each group playing for 1st and 2nd prize and those finishing second in the groups played for 3rd and 4th prize.

The group winners were;
John Greaves, Craig Bowler & Jonathan Stokes and Mac Otton, Jeff Smith & Steve Angus.

Given the previous domination of John Greaves’s team, the final was a totally different matter! Following a very slow start, clever tactics dominated with some excellent bowling. Despite lots of quality bowls from John’s team plus all-out firing, the tactics of Steve Angus, and his team proved victorious with a dominating 17-5 win over class elite opponents.

Playing for 3rd and forth place were      Harry Atkin, Sally Darby and Rhys Taylor V Gary Swift , Fynn Kyser & Joe Peplow, Gary’s team winning 13 shots to 4. 

Sunday morning the players, helpers and supporters were treated to an impromptu performance of ‘Sister Act’
Not quite up to the standard of the film but coming very close!
Unfortunately, local TV crew couldn’t make it at the last minute and Claire Boulding was held up in traffic but nevertheless, everyone had a good laugh.
Big ‘THANKS’ to the Gedling helpers who pushed wheelchairs, gathered bowls, made tea and coffee , umpired, run a raffle, and kept the scoring and board up to date and more!
These events just wouldn’t happen without them.

Maggy Smith MBE

 

 

Congratulations to the following players who have qualified for the DBE Singles Play Off which will be held at Stoke B C, Coventry on Sunday 17th July 2022. Continue reading “DBE Singles Play Off qualifiers”

DBE CLASSIFIED SINGLES REPORT – SAT 26TH – 27TH FEBRUARY

The weekend when well after the initial problems of a bowler who had entered and confirmed he was coming didn’t show up and didn’t let anyone know.
The B6 and B8 groups had 6 players and so played a Round Robin in their classification, playing 5 matches in total over the 2 days.
The B7 classification of which there were twice as many bowlers played in 2 groups Round Robin with the winners of each group playing a final.
B6 – Steve Ireland came out top in this group winning all 5 of his games finishing on 10 points +48 shots with Joe Peplow in 2nd place on 6 points and Craig Bowler on 4 pts.
B8 – John Greaves won this group , again winning all of his matches finishing on 10 points + 71 shots with Kieran Rollings on 6 points +12 shots and Dave Fisher 6 points +5 shots.
B7 – Group 1 winner was Fynn Kyser on 10 points + 52 shots ,Steve Angus 8 pts +37 shots and Paul Baker 4 points .
Group 2 winner Tim Swann on 8 points +17 shots, Jonathan Stokes 7 points +41 shots and Helen Wood 7 points + 39 shots.
Jonathan and Helen played each other in their last match and drew !
B7 Final – Fynn had a wonderful match and won 21-3
Judy Plater our new Development Officer came along on the Sunday and presented the trophies.
Sue Davies, our secretary came along on the Saturday also.
As always, the Gedling IBC volunteers were wonderful 24 of them turned out for the weekend, marking, pushing wheelchairs, umpiring, making teas and coffee, making rolls and running a raffle one day and number card the next . £200 was taken over the 2 days and will go to DBE funds.
THEY ARE ALL EXCEPTIONAL!
These kinds of events wouldn’t happen if it weren’t for volunteers in all parts of the country.
Maggy Smith MBE, DBE President.

DBE v The Rest of The North 2022

On Sunday 23rd January 2022 Stanley IBC in County Durham hosted the first ever Disability Bowls England v Rest of the North challenge… 16 DBE members from around the Country played against 16 players from 4 Clubs from the North East, South Shields Vipers, Gateshead IBC, West Denton IBC and Stanley IBC….

Players representing DBE
Jeff Crowe – Louth & District IBC
David Masterman – Redcar IBC
Ali Domville, Claire Domville & Rob Domville. – New Earswick IBC
Steven Nicholson, Barry Nicholson, David Nicolson & Marie Nicholson – Leeds IBC
Graham Patterson – Gateshead IBC
Gary Swift – Harrogate IBC
Steve Angus & Brett Arkley – Stanley IBC
Craig Dalton… Durham IBC
Diane Rogers & Bob Love – Tamworth IBC
Players Representing The Rest of the North…
Sandie Thompson, Brian Poulter, Keith Atkinson & Jimmy Talyor – Gateshead IBC
Ann Lennie, Karen Waites, Herbie Blacklock & Sheila Storey – West Denton IBC
Vicky Happer, Brenda Harper, Mick Baker & Paul Hart – South Shields Vipers
Ryan Henson, Benson Turnbull, Brenda Turnbull & Ann Baggett – Stanley IBC

The format for the event was 2 sessions of 1 rink of 4 bowl singles (2 Sets of 9 ends, 1 end tiebreak if needed), 3 rinks of 3 bowl pairs (2 Sets of 8 ends, 1 end tiebreak if needed), and 3 rinks 2 bowl triples (2 Sets of 8 ends with a 1 end tiebreak if needed). With 2 Points for a set win, 1 point each for a tied set and 1 point for tiebreak win. 
After some close games on session 1 the Rest of the North lead DBE by 20 points to 10 points… After the Buffet lunch a rejuvenated DBE came out strong and again showed their skill and by the end of the 2nd session the points were DBE 30 –30 Rest of the North…so ends won had to be counted and DBE won 108 ends with Rest of the North winning 114
Medals were presented to the winners Rest of the North and the runners up DBE..
The event was played in great spirit and new friendships were made…
Also in attendance was Richie Mckie from The Wrong Bias Podcast who live streamed on social media the singles and pairs (afternoon session) game which featured Bob Love v Brian Poulter…The 2nd session live stream featured Claire Domville and Steve Angus v Brenda & Benson Turnbull…
The live streams can be viewed on YouTube by searching for the Wrong Bias Podcast..

An enjoyable day was had by all, players are already looking forward to next year’s event which with be extended to a 2 day event which will be held on 21st and 22nd January 2023…

DBE Development Team will be returning to the North of England with a “Bowls with a Disability” Taster session and open competition on Saturday 26 March at Eden IBC Penrith, Cumbria everyone is welcome to come along and learn and try disability bowls.

Below are some quotes from members of The Rest of North Team

To be in the company of players from DBE is a humbling experience. Their determination to play sport is to be admired. We at West Denton felt very privileged to be in their presence. We wish you all the very best of luck in all you wish to achieve…. Ann Lennie…West Denton IBC

What a fantastic day & great experience – I loved it. Fantastic talent and level and of bowling all round. Very awe inspiring & inspirational and lovely to meet new people. I look forward to taking part in many more!… Vicky Happer.. South Shields Vipers

What an experience this was for me playing against Bob Love. Great bloke, and it just goes to show what can be achieved with these disabilities. Such accuracy bowling with his feet, unbelievable. Thanks Stevie Angus for the invitation…. Brian Poulter… Gateshead IBC

“Although The Rest of the North came out Victor’s”, it was an awesome experience playing members of Disability Bowls England. Their skill and determination to win justifies all the opportunities our sport should and can give. A great day was had by all. Congratulations to the organisers and Stanley IBC who hosted the event… Sheila Storey… West Denton IBC

It was a fantastic day played in a great friendly spirit, looking forward to the next one either as a player or spectator. The Wrong Bias live stream of the singles has created a lot of interest in the event at our club… Keith Atkinson….Gateshead IBC

A great day of bowls, excellent venue and superb hospitality from Stanley Bowls Club, Very high standard of bowls from the DBE Team…. Paul Hart… South Shields Vipers

Steve Watson (Chairperson DBE) said
I would like to thank Steve Angus and Stanley IBC for having the foresight for putting this event together to showcase to other clubs that our game of bowls is a sport for all and inclusive games and matches are the way forward for everyone to enjoy the sport we love. We are looking forward to returning to the Stanley IBC next year for a 2 day event and look forward to meeting old and making new friends.

We would also like to thank the Wrong Bias Podcast team for live streaming this day which has raised the profile of “Bowlers with a Disability” to a wider audience around the world.
A Sport For All!!

Steve Angus…Disability Bowls England
For more information visit – www.disabilitybowlsengland.org.uk

Photos to be added shortly 

ANN TROTMAN MEMORIAL SINGLES 
GEDLING IBC, NOTTINGHAM
Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th January 2022 

There was a full entry of 24 bowlers for the event with bowlers coming from all parts of England and even 2 from Scotland. The competition has been running for approximately 20 years and is always well supported.
Bowlers were drawn into 4 groups of 6, played a round robin in their groups over 2 days with the winners of each group playing a semi final followed by a final. All games 1 hour 20minutes to the bell.
Semi – finals
Arthur Redfearn – Bridlington v Chris Grey – Kettering.
Bob Love – Tamworth v Kieran Rollings – Kettering.
The final
Chris Grey – 16 shots v Kieran Rollings – 20 shots
The bowling over the whole weekend was of a high standard and the final was exceptional.
It was great to see so many on the green again and to hear the banter.
A ‘BIG’ thankyou to the Gedling IBC member helpers, for marking, pushing wheelchairs, tea and coffee making and anything else they were asked to do. They too were ‘exceptional’.
Maggy Smith.

 

After the Nomads Charity disbanded they asked Disability Bowls England to take over the running of their annual disability pairs competition and gave a donation to help with the costs of running the event at Taunton Deane IBC.

Players came from all over the South West and included players from each disability group. 8 pairs were drawn into 2 groups of 4 playing each other, with the winners of each group competing in the final.

Volunteers from the disbanded Nomad Charity came along to help and along with Umpire Keith ensured the event ran smoothly.

son Yearling & Geoff Wherry & directors Paul Yearling & Sue Wherry culminating in a nail biting last end with the shot changing after every bowl. Alison & Geoff just managed to hold on to second bowl to win the match by 6 shots to 5 and pick up The Nomads Shield.

Representatives from the disbanded Nomads Charity presented the finalists & directors The Shield, along with trophies & medals.

Thanks go to all the competitors, families & volunteers who came along and to Taunton Deane IBC for hosting the event.

Such was the success that DBE intend to run it again next year and hope that even more players for the South West will enter and enjoy the camaraderie and competition.”

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DBE Maiden Singles – Gedling IBC. 

Eight bowlers from all parts of England from Plymouth in the south to Bridlington in the north and several points in between, came together to compete in the Maiden Singles which is aimed at any member bowler who has NOT won a DBE singles event.
Bowlers were drawn into 2 groups, each competing in a round-robin of 3 matches followed by the winner of each group playing in the final.
It was great to see 3 new members had entered.
Colin Wagstaff from Lincoln won Group 1 , winning all 3 matches, gaining 6 points with Julie Deferville , Bristol , in 2nd place on 4 points.
Arthur Redfearn from Bridlington, Yorkshire won Group 2, also gaining 6 points after a close match with Adrian Mellows, Northants, who finished on 4 points.
The other competitors were Amy Brooks, Stephen Stockley, Alex Comack and John Hollowell.
The final was a very close fought match and great to watch. On the penultimate end the score was 15 shots all on 16 ends.
The final end concluded with a ‘nail biting’ measure, with Arthur’s bowl taking the shot by half an inch!
All of the games were played in good and fair spirit.
The Maiden Singles salver was presented to Arthur and photographs taken
‘Thank you’s’ were made to the brilliant Gedling helpers, who turn out every time so willingly, marking, pushing wheelchairs, making tea and coffee and generally making everyone feel ‘at home’.
All in all, a ‘Good Day’.
Maggy Smith

 

President Maggy’s Report and ‘Thank You’s ’

Firstly, I want to say how much I enjoyed our presentation day at Solihull IBC on Saturday 2nd October. Despite the fuel crisis it was great to see so many people make the effort to come along for the afternoon and evening. It was a ‘fun and friendly day’ and one many of us needed following the past year and half of isolation. It was lovely to hear so much laughter.

Continue reading “DBE President Presentation Report”

Disability Bowls England at the Bowls England National Championships

The Bank Holiday weekend saw the players from Disability Bowls England join the Bowls England National Finals.

On Sunday lunchtime on Green A the DBE National Singles Championship Final between Kieran Rollings of Northamptonshire and Mike Robertson of Huntingdonshire took place in front of packed stands. Kieran got off to a fast start building a 6 – 2 lead after 5 ends, his dominance continued and after 10 ends the score was 11 – 5. In the second half of the match Kieran continued with the form that had seen him open a commanding lead and at 15 ends the score had moved to 20 – 7, with Kieran requiring only one 1 shot for victory Mike managed to score 2 on the next end before Kieran secured the shot required to win the title.

In the afternoon the annual North v South Challenge Match for the Maggy Smith MBE Shield took place on Green C across 4 rinks. The North got off to a good start leading 23 – 18, Liam Tucker, Denise Rolland, Steve Angus and Gary Swift were top rink at this point leading 9 – 5. During the next 5 ends the South fought back and took the lead 37 -40 with Juls Howard, Steve Smith, Isaac Shieh and Anthony Page, now the top rink 12 – 8. The final 5 ends saw the South extend their lead to 50 – 60 to win the shield. The rink of Juls Howard, Steve Smith, Isaac Shieh and Anthony Page finished as top rink with a score of 19 – 10.

A cloudy Monday morning saw an early start for the DBE players contesting the DBE National Pairs Championship again on Green A, with a large support in the stands, Kieran Rollings from Northamptonshire and Dave Fisher of Essex were up against Paul Baker of Sussex and Jack Pullin of Worcestershire. The first 5 ends were dominated by Kieran and Dave who had amassed a 12 -2 lead including a 5 on one end, the next 5 ends saw a fight back by Paul and Jack who won 4 of them to bring the score back to 13 – 8. The remaining 5 ends were shared 2 – 3 with the final score 16 – 11 to Kieran Rollings and Dave Fisher.

In the late afternoon Disability Bowls England introduced a new competition to the event, a Mixed Ability Triples competition, with each team containing 1 player with a Physical Disability, 1 player with a Visual Impairment and 1 player with a Learning Disability. The games were played over 12 ends and after 4 ends Richard Carey, Harry Atkin and Steve Angus had opened a 7 – 1 lead and were leading the competition, during the next 4 ends Khalila Hussain, Chris Gray and Allan Lyne made a number of shots and had opened a 13 – 4 lead to take the lead in the competition. The final 4 ends were keenly contested on both rinks and at the end of the games Khalila Hussain, Chris Gray and Allan Lyne had won their match 17 – 5 and the inaugural salver. Disability Bowls England would like to thank The Friends of English Bowling who supported this new competition with a donation that was used to purchase the trophy and supply medals for all competitors.

Disability Bowls England would like to thank Bowls England for making rinks available in the schedule, the English Bowls Umpires Association for providing a marker for the Singles and Umpires for all other competitions and The Friends of English Bowling for their support this season.