BLANDFORD BOWLING CLUB
GALLERY 2023 - SOME IMAGES AND REPORTS FROM THE 2023 SEASON.
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SATURDAY 23rd SEPTEMBER 2023 - CLOSING DAY
Closing Day was held on Saturday 23rd September which was a warm dry day.
The game was preceded by the traditional spider the proceeds of which went to the President's charity. The winner of the spider was Cliff Walters. The format of play which followed was 3 games of mixed triples and one rinks. The winners of the bowling were John Greening, Denis Wise and John Beckford.
After the game the 60 members retired to the clubhouse for a buffet tea which was provided by members and arranged by Sue Wood.
The day was completed with the presentation of trophies to the Wednesday League winners, This could not be done on the last Wednesday due to heavy rain. The men's winner was Terry Elston and the ladies' winner was Sue Wood.
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FRIDAY 15th SEPTEMBER 2023 - FRIENDLY MATCH AGAINST COWES MEDINA BC
On a hot sunny day we hosted the Cowes Medina, Isle of Wight touring team. This was the first of four matches for our visitors, The day started with a delicious buffet lunch for our visitors prepared by Sue Wood.
At the start our Chairman, and Captain for the day, John Beckford, welcomed Medina President and Captain for the day Steve Morris. We then played 7 rinks each of 18 ends.
Cowes were very strong and won on 5 of the 7 rinks, One rink was won by us and the other was tied, The final points score was 119 - 94.
Finally, after the bowling, we retired to the club house for refreshments, presentations and, finally, the customary raffle.
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9th AND 10th SEPTEMBER 2023 - COUNTY FINALS
The Club's representation at this year's finals was very impressive. They were held at Dorchester and we were represented in 7 of them.
In the inaugural playing of the UNDER 16 OPEN PAIRS Lucie Rankine-McIntosh and Mollie Gilley were runners-up after being narrowly defeated. After a slow start the girls fought back from a 7 shot deficit to briefly take the lead before finishing runners-up. Zac Evans was runner-up in the Men's UNDER 16 SINGLES,
In the LADIES UNDER 16 SINGLES Mollie Trim and Lucie Rankine-McIntosh played a very exciting match which eventually was won by Lucie.
Denis West was runner-up in the MEN'S SECRETARIES CUP.
Julie Pitt was runner-up in the COBERN TROPHY and Sue Wood and Liz Males were runners-up in the LADIES DWBL PAIRS.
The stars of the show were undoubtedly the ladies who won the JUNE CULPIN. As in the photo: Margaret Thorne, Liz Males, Daphne West, Jan Cornick, Janine Scola (Dorset President), Julie Pitt, Terri Lake, Gill Walford (Reserve), Carole Beckford.
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27th AUGUST 2023 - PRESIDENT'S DAY
Our Presidents Day was held on Sunday 27 August 2023 and was very well presented by our President, Carole Beckford. The day started with our tireless Club Secretary, Denis West, taking a photograph of all 40 or so players present - all smartly dressed in club shirts and whites. The bowling format was unusual but well explained by Carole. We drew coloured cards from a bag for rinks and teams and then played 4 ends. For each end the jack was placed 2 metres from the ditch although the mat could be placed anywhere within the usual limits. We repeated this process 4 times each so that all the players played 16 ends. Players kept their individual scorecards with points for and against for all 16 ends. All the individual scorecards were handed in at the end for scrutiny by our Chairman, John Beckford. Bottles of wine were presented to the winners, Daphne West and Alan Dickens. Denis West and Julie Buckley were presented with the "wooden spoons".
Fortunately, the weather was warm and it did not rain – although we had been promised some showers. The bar was open throughout and did excellent custom with both players and spectators.
Afterwards we were treated to a truly excellent buffet meal, including desserts, provided by our Catering Manager, Sue Wood, ably assisted by Ian. Prizes were awarded to best and unluckiest players by Carole. Bottles of wine were presented to the winners, Daphne West and Alan Dickens. Denis West and Julie Buckley were presented with the "wooden spoons".
Carole was thanked by Club Ladies' Captain, Julie Pitt, and presented with flowers and a gift. Our President’s Day was concluded with a raffle with masses of prizes in aid of the President’s charity for this year, MIND.
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LADIES' SECTION UPDATE - SEPTEMBER 2023
Jan Cornick, Julie Pitt and Carole Beckford won their way through to the National Finals of the Ladies Triples at Royal Leamington Spa by winning the Dorset based section of the competition. Unfortunately they were narrowly defeated but are to be congratulated on winning the Dorset area competition.
On 1st September the Blandford Ladies played at Gillingham in the semi finals of The June Culpin Trophy against Dorchester. Team members were (1) Julie Pitt Margaret Thorne Jan Cornick and Carole Beckford and (2) Gill Budd Liz Males Daphne West and Terri Lake. Our traveling reserve was Gill Walford. The match was to and fro with very few shots separating the teams until Terri's team scored a 6 then held the lead for the rest of the match. Carole's team would take the lead then Dorchester made a come back. The Blandford Ladies won the match by 4 shots and now face Lyme Regis at Dorchester on County Finals Weekend. Well done to all of the Team.
Congratulations also to Sue Wood and Liz Males for beating off Dorchester and Poole Park in the DWBL Pairs on Tuesday for a place in the final against a Lyme Regis team again at County Finals Weekend.
Also Liz Males is in the Semi Final of the B&D Lillian Lynex Trophy on Wednesday 6th September at Branksome.
Well done our Ladies.
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SUCCESS - ONE OF OUR FORMER JUNIORS - MILLIE TUCK
Millie Tuck, one of our former junior members, now plays at U18 International level.
In the image Millie is wearing her Winners Medal from the recent British Isles U18’s Series held in Ebbw Vale. She is with a couple of our young bowlers, Rosie and Evie. I’m sure they would like to follow in Millie’s footsteps and represent Dorset in the National Finals at Leamington Spa in the U25’s pairs and singles.
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16th JULY 2023 - PERCY BAKER REPORT
Both our E3 and our E5 have won their Percy Baker leagues. They will now go on to the quarter final of the knock out competition where, unfortunately, they have been drawn against each other. E3 won the match but were unable to win in the County final.
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27th MAY 2023 - LADIES' NATIONAL TOP CLUB COMPETITION
The quarter final of the Dorset element of this national knockout competition was against Broadstone Wessex and held at Blandford. It comprised 4 rinks and the results were:
a. Singles; Terri Lake won 21-16. b. Pairs; Sally Burton and Liz Males drew 16-16.
c. Triples; Gill Budd, Daphne West and Del Way won 19-18.
d. Rinks: Carole Beckford, Jan Cornick, Margaret Thorne and Julie Pitt won 22-10.
Having won 3.5 to 0.5 the ladies will go on to the Dorset semi-final against Poole Park or Swanage. We wish them well.
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15th APRIL 2023 - OPENING DAY
We were very lucky to have the best weather of the week for our Opening Day. Our President, Carole Beckford, welcomed Mayor Councillor Colin Stevens to set the season underway by delivering the first wood of 2023. We were also supported by our sponsor's, Lesley Shand Funeral Service, representative Peter Short.
The bowling commenced with the very traditional spider which was won by Tim Bryning. We then played 12 ends of fours with teams being redrawn every 4 ends. The overall men's winner was Alan Dickens and the Ladies winner was Anita Evans.
Over 60 members then devoured the delicious buffet that had been provided by members and was presented by Sue Wood, Laurieve Jenkins, Barbara Fry and Jan Hall supported by Sid Steele on "clearing up". Our needs at the bar were provided by Terri Lake and Margaret Thorne. The day was completed with a raffle by Sue Wood. We then retired having had a thoroughly enjoyable day and we look forward to a healthy, enjoyable and successful season.
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WARNERS BEMBRIDGE IOW TOUR – 20th to 25th FEBRUARY 2023
20th February 2023 saw 34 members/family and friends headed off to Bembridge to take part in the Warners Open Fours Tournament for 5 days. We entered 7 teams and, bearing in mind we were competing against experienced indoor players, we managed to have two teams qualify for the quarter finals with three wins out of three.
Although several teams won two matches their shot difference was not enough to go through. Both teams (Marilyn and Michael Parker and their friends Rosemary and Steve Summers) and Denis West, Del Way, Jan Hall and Peter Martin (our super sub from the Dolphin) won their matches to qualify for the semi finals.
Terry Cottle was asked to do the draw and unfortunately or fortunately depending on your view both teams were drawn against each other. The upside was we were guaranteed to have a team in the final. It was a close run thing but Denis’ team won through. In the final they were up against some very experienced indoor bowlers who took things very seriously. Our team raced into a 6-0 lead but were pegged back and went into the final end one shot up. Our team managed to hold on and won the last end by 2 shots.
There was some excellent bowling by all and everyone had a good time. A provisional booking has been made for 2024.
