News

This week saw the annual Gemini fun day at Berkhamsted which is open to all comers and is sponsored by Peter Batchelor of Gemini Printers in Potten End. It was very colourful as the dress for the day was any bright colours and after a Meal prepared by Peter’s family the rink was laid out as an obstacle course so all the youngsters could have a go at bowling. The day raised £282.50 which will go to the Happy Wanderers at Northchurch and to the MS Society.

In the Watford and District Triples competition Steve Burrell, David Brown and Kevin Clarke beat a team from Tring 21 shots to 14 to progress to the 4th round. There were mixed fortunes in the two friendly matches played with a win at Chalfont St. Giles by 104 shots to 74 with a top rink of Luke Swan, Gary Fisher and Jackie Cormack. Berkhamsted did not fare so well at Wingrave losing by 89 – 57, with Jackie Cormack again achieving a top rink ably assisted by Dick Gardener and Alan Dann.

Berkhamsted started the week well with a good win in the friendly match against Chessvale by winning 111 shots to 66. This was greatly helped by a top rink of Paul Mackness, Gill Howells and Pete Batchelor winning 30-8.

In the Ladies County League the team of Carole Dunn, Liz Baker, Linda Ralphs and Mary Clarke beat a team from Croxley Green by 26 shots to 14. Unfortunately David Brown and Kevin Clarke, after a good run in the County Pairs lost to a pair from Bishops Stortford.

David was not downcast for long as he then went on to progress to the quarter finals of the County Singles by beating a player from Mill End 21-16. It was a shame that in the Watford and District pairs David Brown and Kevin Clarke had to compete against a pair from their own club, Berkhamsted, which they ended up winning by 29 shots to 10.

The week finished up by Berkhamsted winning the two friendly matches against Herts and Amersham. They beat Herts Club 98-82 with a top rink of Carole Dunn, Geoff Drew and Steve Burrell and they beat Amersham 91 – 32 with a top team of Marion Maynard, Dave Drew and Ken Maynard.

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Winner of the U18 District Singles Jack Bunting (fourth from left in back row) joins fellow competitors for a group photo having received his trophy.

Berkhamsted once again hosted the Watford & District Association’s Junior Mixed Singles Championship with fifteen competitors playing a whole day of group matches followed by semi- finals and final. Jack Bunting from Potten End overcame a very strong challenge from the home Club to eventually beat Harvey Marum with some excellent drawing. The event was a great credit to the Club who showed why they have been named National Club of the Year with their commitment to youth.

In other games, David Brown, Kevin Clarke and Steve Burrell beat a team from Hemel Hempstead by 19 – 7 shots to get through the 3rd round of the Watford & District Triples competition. Unfortunately 2 teams from Berkhamsted lost to Rosedale by 35 – 45 in the Tony Allcock Trophy.

In the Watford & District Ladies Pairs Carole Dunn and Mary Clarke fared better and had a good win against a couple of Ladies from Potten End by 24 shots to 11 to progress to the next round.

In the friendly matches Berkhamsted had a couple of good wins, first against Chesham by 72 shots to 66 with a top rink of Marion Maynard, Ray Kessler, Tony Smart and Tom Presland and in the other match against Hazels it was won by 94-75 with a top rink of Maurice Primo, Liz Baker and Del Root.

The week started off with Lesley Brown and Janice Murgatroyd beating a pair of Ladies from Garston 26-11 to get through the First round of the Watford & District Ladies Pairs. Not to be outdone, David Brown beat K Mileham from Garston 21-11 in the 2nd round of the County Singles.

In the Mens Herts Inter Club Team Championships Berkhamsted lost 51-59 to Bushey but fortunes changed in the Dacorum Shield match against Bovingdon with Berkhamsted winning on all rinks with a score of 84 to 48 giving Berkhamsted a full house with 5 points. A top rink of Carole Dunn, Anne Furlong, Linda Ralphs and Jackie Cormack won 35-6.

Garston got their revenge following the previous results by beating a team of Berkhamsted men in the National Top Club competition by 98-47. The only winning rink was Paul Mackness and Brian Ralphs who won the pairs.

In the Tony Allcock trophy 2 teams of Carole Dunn, Brian Ralphs, Jackie Carr, Wally Dunn and Lesley Brown, Linda Ralphs, Terry Kenyon and David Brown beat teams from Potters Bar 35-24 to go through to the 4th round against Rosedale. In the weekend friendly matches Berkhamsted had a good win against Little Gaddesden by 96 shots to 38 with a top rink of Nolan Biggs, Del Root and Kevin Clarke who won 35-5. This did not last when, on Sunday, Hemel Hempstead won by 105 shots to 73, despite the efforts of top rink Marion Maynard, Geoff Drew and Ken Maynard

Bowls England President Michael Jennings has sent the following message to our Secretary after our celebratory match on Wednesday June 15th.

“I am sending this message in this way as you can appreciate that I am hardly at home these days.

I would like to thank you and your club for giving us such an enjoyable day at your club celebrating your great achievement on being Club of the Year for 2015.

Everyone from Bowls England was treated so well and we all enjoyed ourselves immensely.

Please convey my thanks to everyone at your club for a day to remember and especially your hard working President Kevin in whose company I spent most of the afternoon.

Best wishes for the season to you all.

Kind regards

Michael”