Press 2021 – copies of the Reports to the Hemel Hempstead Gazette during the Season.
SEPTEMBER
Report w/e Sunday 26th September
The last game of the season saw Wendover arrive at Berkhamsted, ready for an exciting game of bowls. Berkhamsted won three of the four rinks with the overall score of 79 – 39, helped by our top rink of Frank Cutting, Jill Griffin, and Chris Gray, who achieved top rink by a single shot.
Berkhamsted Bowls Club held their last event of the season with Club President Kevin Clarke staging a pairs competition called the ‘100’. Sixteen Pairs teams played five short matches each containing various match combinations with the winners being David Sear & Sue Bailey. The club also staged an Art exhibition inside the clubhouse and all the ‘spider’ profits were donated to Parkinsons UK. Earlier in the week the club were delighted to give the local Beavers & Cubs groups a bowls taster as they look to re grow their Junior section next season. In the picture we see group leader Judy showing the way as she sends a wood down the hallowed turf.
Facebook & Press Reports w/e Sunday 19th September
On Friday Berkhamsted played Kings Langley in their last Dacorum Shield game of the season. The top rink of Colin Shortall, Mick Young, Dave Drew and Brian Ralphs kept the overall final score to a 62 – 66 defeat, after losing both the Ladies and mixed rinks. Saturday we played at Kitcheners for a friendly match, which we won by 50 – 37, not losing any of the three rinks. Our top rink was Ken Maynard, Alice Biggs and Tony Howard.
What a beautiful evening it was for the Club Outdoor Open Forum. Over sixty members attended a two-hour debate in the sunshine following the feedback the members had given the club in their own survey. All attendees were offered a hot bacon butty or sausage in a roll, on arrival, cooked by Tim Bailey & Christine Sims. Kevin Clarke hosted the event and thanked everyone for their interest, input and attendance.
The information collected is the first part of a three-step process to re organise the club and deliver its members preferences.
Press Report w/e Sunday 12th September
This weekend was Berkhamsted’s Finals weekend, the culmination of all the Members effort in the Competitions during the season. The weekend was organised and run by Paul Sims, the Competition Secretary and was very successful. The results were as follows:
Mens Singles: David Brown; Ladies Singles: Sarah Marshall; Mens 2-Wood Singles: Tony Howard; Ladies 2-Wood Singles: Sarah Marshall; Veterans Singles: Tony Howard; Novice Singles: Paul Sims; Highland Trophy: Jackie Cormack; U19 Singles: Conor Hawkins; Mens Pairs: Bob Anderson & David Brown; Ladies Pairs: Carole Dunn & Alice Biggs; Mixed Pairs: Marcia Dunstone & Chris Gray; Pedlow Trophy (Australian Pairs): Gary Fisher & Tony Howard; Mixed Triples: Frank Cutting, Janet Sykes & Chris Gray; Mixed Fours: Christine Sims, Paul Shorne, Tim Bailey & David Brown.
Congratulations to the Winners and better luck to the Runners Up next season.
Press Report w/e Sunday 5th September
Berkhamsted Reds finished their season as they started with a win beating Bovingdon, 44-25, which means that they went through the season with just one defeat.
There were no friendly games this week owing to cancellations but Berkhamsted Bowls Club‘s Annual Gala took place at their Canal Fields Green on Bank Holiday Monday 30th August 2021.
The weather was cool but spirits were high as 16 teams competed to win prize monies totalling £270. Bowls clubs from Abbotts Langley, Bishop’s Stortford, Dunstable Town, Herts, Kings Langley, Kitcheners, Little Gaddesden, Luton and Mill Bowling took part together with two Home teams. The Gala was won by the Red Kites Team from Berkhamsted BC comprising Chris Gray, Kay Lingwood and Steve Burrell. Second was Murray Mints, Luton BC who were Paul Murray, Joe Hollister and Simon Lambourne and Third went to Merlow, Herts BC , Malcolm Mackriell, Joy Hamilton, Vic Busani.
The Prizes were sponsored by local businesses, Roy Chapman of Tring, Oakleys Estate Agents, Waitrose and Full House Plumbing and Heating Services of Berkhamsted, all of whom have been very supportive in recent years.
Due to Covid disruption, entertainments were limited to a cake stall and a raffle organised by Carole Dunn. Raffle prizes and cakes were generously donated by Club members.
If you would like to have a go at Bowling, you are welcome to pop in to one of our casual sessions on a Tuesday or Thursday afternoon between 2 and 4 pm. or Friday evening 6 -9 pm. when advice/coaching will be available.
AUGUST
Press Report w/e Sunday 29th August
Berkhamsted Reds team continued their winning run in the Watford & District Vets League by beating Kings Langley Blues 52 -18. This was considerably helped by the top rink of Mick Young, Tony Smart and Tony Howard winning 30 shots to 7.
Press Report w/e Sunday 22nd August
Well, the Berkhamsted Reds won the Watford and district Vets League 3rd Division by beating North Watford by 52 shots to 19. There was a healthy win for top rink of Steve Burrell, Paul Mackness and Brian Ralphs who won 30-8.They consolidated their position later in the week by winning 32-24 away against Royal British Legion Rickmansworth, which means that we will win the league by at least 2 points. Unfortunately, the success did not hold out as Berkhamsted were soundly beaten on three of the four rinks, in the Dacorum Charity Shield Match against Tring by 58 Shots to 71 against. with only the Ladies rink prevailing. Our top rink was: Noreen Codina, Sue Bailey Gill Howells and Jackie Cormack. However, the winning streak was restored when Berkhamsted travelled to Harpenden. While Harpenden won two of the three rinks, we prevailed over-all with the help of our top rink of: Sue Bailey, Alan Jones and Chris Gray, who won their rink 24 – 7. The overall score was 46 – 38.
Press Report w/e Sunday 15th August
In the Watford and District Vets League Berkhamsted Red unfortunately had one less player on one rink and had to lose 15% of the score which led to them losing, so no league championship this time. However, they have 4 more matches and only need to win one to win the league. There was better news in the Men’s County League match when the Men won by a score of 49 – 26. Top rink was Dave Sear, Bill Howells, Brian Ralphs and Tony Howard. A further win was achieved in the friendly match against Aylesbury with Berkhamsted winning 75 – 47. The top rink was Frank Cutting, Lesley Brown and Kevin Clarke.
Berkhamsted were proud to stage a Men’s County Bowls match between Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire last week with Herts edging out their local rivals 123-109. A tight match was only topped by the wonderful camaraderie on display with full plaudits going to the members of Berkhamsted for staging a hugely enjoyable event.
Berkhamsted were delighted to have five of their own players representing the County as seen in the photo attached with Hertfordshire President Terry Barker. From left to right: Brian Ralphs, Tony Howard, Kevin Clarke, Chris Gray & David Brown.
Four of those players also helped Berkhamsted beat neighbours Kitcheners the next day in the County League as they qualified for the divisional finals at Bushey in September.
Press Report w/e Sunday 8th August
Berkhamsted Reds do it again with another win, this time against Herts Reds who they beat 41 shots to 31. There was a top team of Dave Sear, Steve Burrell and Brian Ralphs. They are getting very close to winning the Watford & District Vets League and it very much depends on how they do against Garston next week. Unfortunately, Berkhamsted lost to Garston in the week in the Griffin Cup, of which Berkhamsted were the current holders so hopefully this is not a sign of things to come”.
JULY
Press Report w/e Sunday 25th July
The week started well for Kay Lingwood who is now through to the Finals of the National Champion of Champions by winning the Semi-Final against an opponent from Hatfield by 21 shots to 17. Success continues for the Berkhamsted Red Vets team who won their league fixture against the Royal British Legion at Rickmansworth 53 – 21 with a top rink of Paul Mackness, Brian Ralphs and David Brown. In a friendly match against Wing at the end of the week, Berkhamsted won by 62 shots to 49. The top rink was Liz Baker, Dave Drew and Tony Smart. As part of Berkhamsted’s aim to promote Bowls in the local area, as a follow up to the visit of a group of pupils from St. Thomas More Primary School to try bowling, a group of teachers and Staff also visited the Club to try their hand at Bowling. Below is a photo of the group of teachers and staff from the School on their visit to the Club on Monday 19th July. Great fun was had by all with some very good bowling on show
Press Report w/e Sunday 11th July
Last Saturday both the Ladies and Men’s teams won their championship matches to progress to the next rounds. The Ladies defeated Hemel Hempstead in the National Ladies Top Club Competition and the Men beat Abbots Langley in the Hertfordshire Men’s Competition. In the next rounds the Ladies play Hatfield and the Men Herts. Another win was registered by Kay Lingwood in the National Champions of Champions who beat an opponent from Tring by 23 to 13 Shots. The Berkhamsted Red team continued their run of success by beating Chesham Blue team 33-13 with a top team of Steve Burrell, Paul Mackness and Brian Ralphs. On Friday we entertained a local recruitment company to an afternoon of bowls and refreshments with some very talented bowlers on show
and to register our support for England Football we ran a highly successful Euro Bowls Party on Saturday just gone with over 75 people attending enjoying food, drink, music & bowls challenges. Needless to say we had some great singalongs to all the football anthems with lights and decorations creating a great backdrop. Below is a picture of some of the supporters enjoying themselves. To end the week Berkhamsted beat Amersham by 72 Shots to 67 with a top rink of Sylvia Smith, Alan Baker and Liz Temple.
Press Report w/e Sunday 4th July
Last Sunday the men played St Albans in the Men’s Top Ten and managed a tight win after a very close match winning 3 rinks to 2. The outcome was influenced by the 2 Wood fours who helped squeeze the result in Berkhamsted’s favour winning 15 to 14 Shots. It did not go so well for David Brown and Kevin Clarke who lost in the Men’s Pairs to a team from Kitcheners. In an even closer match, in the National Mixed Fours Lesley Brown, Linda Ralphs, Brian Ralphs and David Brown lost by 1 Shot on the last wood to a team from Kings Langley. However, things got better in the National Mens Fours when Bob Anderson, Brian Ralphs. Chris Gray and David Brown beat a team from Welwyn Garden City and are now through to the Quarter Finals. In the Griffin Cup fixture between Berkhamsted and Kitcheners it was a win for Berkhamsted 39 shots to Kitcheners 19 with a top rink of Mick Young, Tony Smart, Brian Ralphs and Tony Howard. This now means that they are through to the Semi-Finals. The Ladies had a good win in the County Top Club when they defeated Hemel Hempstead 4 – 0 with the team of Sarah Marshall, Carole Dunn, Marcia Dunstone, Janice Murgatroyd, Lesley Brown, Liz Temple, Alice Biggs, Linda Ralphs, Kay Lingwood and Jackie Cormack. To finish up the week. In the 2nd round of the Watford & District Ladies Triples, Janice Murgatroyd, Lesley Brown and Liz Temple beat a team from Bovingdon on their home ground and in a final friendly game Hazells brought their A game beating us by a score of 83 – 59 but we did have one winning rink out of four – Geoff Drew, Anne Cutting, and Janet Spooner.
JUNE
Press Report w/e Sunday 27th June
The week started well enough for Berkhamsted Reds with them beating North Watford 53 -19 with a top team of Dick Gardener, Tony Howard and Tony Smart who won on their rink 36 – 9. Unfortunately, that did not last in the next round of the Ray Cup when Berkhamsted lost by just 1 shot on the last end to Herts BC, losing by 47 shots to 48 despite the efforts of a top rink of Steve Burrell, Connor Hawkins, David Brown and Kevin Clarke. It got better in the Watford & Districts Men’s Fours against Met Police at Bushey when Berkhamsted won 24 – 15 achieved by Bob Anderson, Brian Ralphs, David Brown and Christopher Gray. The week did not finish well with Berkhamsted losing out in the Tony Allcock Trophy against Potton End, losing 22 – 27 shots. There was a top rink though of Tony Howard. Tony Smart, Lesley Brown and Janice Murgatroyd.
Press Report w/e Sunday 20th June
This week Berkhamsted Bowls Club held a taster session for St Thomas More School with 46 children in attendance with their ages ranging from ten to twelve years old. The Club laid on over two hours of bowling in lovely sunny conditions with the help of 16 club members coaching or supporting off the green. This opportunity formed part of a schools wellbeing week of activities where local sports clubs were encouraged to give children the chance to try out a new sport. This followed the Club’s national ‘Bowls Big Weekend’ which offered members of the public free taster sessions.
All the youngsters were introduced to the basics of the game through mini matches and also enjoyed the challenge of bowling at targets which created huge fun and entertainment.
Berkhamsted are looking to re grow their Junior section following seven very successful seasons of bringing youngsters through from the age of eight up to eighteen. Berkhamsted are hoping this is the start of a new relationship with the school and a further endorsement of their progressive friendly approach in giving local youngsters sport, entertainment & friendship.
[On the playing front] The week started well with Berkhamsted Reds beating Garston Blues 52 – 17 in the Vets League. The success followed on with the team of Tony Smart, Paul Sims, Bob Anderson and David Brown beating a team from Bishops Stortford in the County 4’s competition. The Ladies followed this with a win by the team of Sarah Marshall, Linda Ralphs, Liz Temple and Lesley Brown Beating a team from Tring 13 shots to 10 in the 3rd round of the Woman’s County Fours Competition. Following that the men also had success at Tring in the 2nd round of the Griffin Cup by winning by 40 Shots to 30 with a top team of Bob Anderson. Brian Ralphs. David Brown and Kevin Clarke. The week finished with a visit from Harperbury for a friendly Triples match which was very closely fought with the final score being 55 -52 in Berkhamsted’s favour aided by a top rink of Eric Lloyd, Anne Cutting and Alan Baker. All in All a very successful week for Berkhamsted.
Press Report w/e Sunday 13th June
Not a very good start to the week for Berkhamsted. On Sunday 6th June Berkhamsted Bowls Club played against Aston Clinton at home. It was an excellent day for a game of bowls and the green played well. Congratulations go to Aston Clinton on a significant win. The top rink goes to Berkhamsted with a score of 25 to 10. The players were Tim Bailey, Dagmar McKay and Tony Howard(skip). However things started looking up in County Senior 4s when Berkhamsted beat Harpenden 17 shots to 8 shots with the team of Tony Smart, Paul Sims, Bob Anderson and David Brown. This good fortune continued when Berkhamsted won the 2nd round of the County 4s with the team of Bob Anderson, Brian Ralphs, Chris Gray and David Brown by beating a team from Hemel Hempstead club 21 shots to 13 shots. This week saw round 2 of the Watford and District Ray Cup. Berkhamsted beat Harperbury by 64 to 41 shots to progress to the next round with the team of Brian Smith, Bob Anderson, David Brown and Kevin Clarke. To finish David Browns week his team of Lesley Brown, Linda Ralphs, Brian Ralphs and himself won the national mixed 4s match. Area 13 Hertfordshire. Preliminary Round against Abbots Langley 10 points against 8. The week finished with a friendly match against Hemel Hempstead which Berkhamsted won by 46 – 38, even though they lost 2 of the 3 rinks the day was saved by a top rink of Sylvia Smith, Tim Bailey and Jackie Cormack.
Press Report w/e Sunday 6th June
Success continued at Berkhamsted in the Watford & District Vets League with the blue team winning against Garston Red. Both rinks triumphed with a combined total of 41 – 23. The Reds Team also won against Kings Langley Blues by 41 to 19 shots. The Ladies continued the success in the Ladies League by, despite the weather after a sunny week, with their team of Carole Dunn, Linda Ralphs, Kay Lingwood and Marcia Dunstone fighting the elements to beat a Team from Bushey by 23 shots to 13. A friendly rink of Janet Sykes, Jill Griffin, Noreen Codina and Jackie Cormack also played. , In the County top 10 Berkhamsted had another good win. In the singles Tony Howard won 21-16, in the Pairs Kevin Clarke &David Brown won 22-13. Steve Burrell, Tony Smart & Chris Gray won the Triples 29-6 and Mike Young, Dave Drew, Bob Anderson and Brian Ralphs won the Fours 21-11. A win for Berkhamsted with the full 8 points. On Sunday Berkhamsted played Kitcheners on the first Dacorum Shield match. We won on the ladies rink, lost the men’s and drew the mixed. Score was Berkhamsted 63 Kitcheners 58. Three and a half points to Berkhamsted and one and a half to Kitcheners. Top rink was Sara Marshall, Linda Ralphs, Lesley Brown and Jackie Cormack.
MAY
Press Report w/e Sunday 30th May
The week started well for Berkhamsted, in the top Ten Competition against Sele Farm where you play 4 rinks Berkhamsted won 3 rinks lost one. This means Berkhamsted won the match 6 points to 2. However this did not continue for in the match against Chess Vale who won 74 Shots to 57. Out of the four rinks, we lost 2, drew one and won one, with a winning rink of Sue Bailey, Dick Gardener and Bill Howells, winning by a score of 13 – 11. More successful by the Ladies was the team of Sarah Marshall, Linda Ralphs, Lesley Brown and Marcia Dunstone, who played the club’s first Watford & District league match against a team from Rickmansworth. They had to settle honours even with a score of 19 all. On an individual basis Kay Lingwood won her County Individual Badge match against a player from Herts 21-17.
Press Report w/e Sunday 23rd May
Following a match on Sunday against Bushey, where Berkhamsted were winners by 79 Shots to 30 with a top rink of Brian Ralph, Dagmar McKay and Alan Jones, The Big Bowls Weekend is as follows………
BERKHAMSTED BOWLS CLUB are holding FREE Public taster sessions as part of a National drive by Bowls England to promote the wonderful sport of modern bowls. The event is called the BOWLS BIG WEEKEND and clubs across England are being encouraged to open their facilities to anyone who fancies playing a new sport with friends or family and improving their wellbeing in the process.
Berkhamsted’s FREE PUBLIC TASTER sessions for the BOWLS BIG WEEKEND on Saturday May 29th are:
1ST SESSION – 10AM TO 12NOON; 2ND SESSION – 12.30PM TO 2.30PM and 3RD SESSION – 3PM TO 5PM
HOW TO REGISTER: Go to the club website contact page and send an email stating your interest, the Club will reply with an email confirming your booking. The links to register are:
https://www.berkhamstedbowlsclub.co.uk/contact/ or go through the Bowls England website link: https://www.bowlsbigweekend.com/register/?proximity=5…
WHAT DO PARTICIPANTS HAVE TO BRING?: A pair of flat soled shoes like trainers are totally acceptable, refreshment, sanitiser and an open mind ! All equipment and coaching is provided totally FREE
SAFETY: In accordance with Government and Bowls England guidelines we have safety measures in place which include sanitisers, wipes, disposable gloves, signage and good practice at all times.
The Club looks forward to seeing you and showing you what fun BOWLS is and what it can do for your physical and mental health
Press Report w/e Sunday 16th May
The week started with the 2 Watford Vets Outdoor league matches and won both. Berkhamsted Blues beat Hemel Greens by 47 Shots to 28 and Berkhamsted Reds beat Chesham Greens by 51 Shots to 18. In a match against Townsend Berkhamsted won 59 – 37 with a top rink of David Brown, Kay Lingwood and Chris Gray. Not to be outdone the Men won their County league fixture by 45 Shots to 35. Unfortunately, the winning ways did not last and Berkhamsted travelled to Croxley Guild and lost 37 Shots to 70. Although there was not a winning rink the highest scoring rink was Sue Bailey, Tim Bailey and Gill Howells. To finish the week off on a miserable rainy day Berkhamsted played 3 rinks of triples against Oxhey Pavilion running out winners by 9 shots. Berkhamsted’s winning rink was Steve Burrell, Alan Jones and Lesley Brown with a magnificent score of 33 – 10.
Press Report w/e Sunday 9th May
In the Watford Veterans League at the beginning of last week Berkhamsted Red made a good start to the season by beating Bovingdon Blue, in the Third Division, 61 Shots to 9 but Berkhamsted Blue, in the Fourth division lost to Herts Green 23 Shots to 38. However, in a Men’s Triples match against Kitcheners on Tuesday Berkhamsted got back into their winning ways by winning 50 shots against 38 with a top rink of Dave Drew, Tony Smart and Chris Gray. In the Mixed match against Harpenden on Sunday only just lost by 52 shots to 58 despite the efforts of the top rink of Sylvia Smith, Brian Smith and David Brown.
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