Hesketh Arms Bowling Club

OCTOBER NEWSLETTER

Southport Veterans League

JOE BOND TROPHY

Congratulations to the Hesketh Hobbies on winning the Southport Veterans’ League Joe Bond Trophy. In the final, which was played at Crossens Bowling Club, they had to concede a handicap of 89 chalks against Sandbrook Park ‘B’. They got off to a flying start, winning all of the first four games and taking an aggregate advantage of 57 chalks. Three of the next four games were won, with a further 22 points being gained. This meant that with the last two games on the green and taking the handicap into account, the Hobbies were still ten chalks adrift. A 21-11 win by Andy Draper put the scores level, leaving the outcome of the final in the balance. The last Hobbies player on the green was Mike Burrill and he produced a tremendous fightback to come from 13-1 down to win 21-14, giving the Hobbies the aggregate by just 7 chalks. Congratulations to captain John Hughes and all of the Hobbies squad who have played throughout the season. 

Southport Veterans League

Fred Brockley trophy

The Hesketh Merlins the 1^st Division team were involved in the 1^st Division cup final. The game was won by Banks A by 14 chalks.

ROUND ROBINS

The popular Tuesday and Friday Round Robins have again been held throughout the 2025 season and given the better weather we have enjoyed this year, attendances have been much higher than in the last couple of seasons. These sessions are an integral part of the Club’s programme of events and are an ideal way of meeting other members of the club and gaining experience of playing against different players. Many thanks to Peter and Lynne Smith for hosting the Round Robins and to those who have helped out in any way or stood in for Peter and Lynne when they have been unable to attend.

GREEN MAINTENANCE

Members will be aware that the green is now closed for the winter and will reopen in Spring 2026. The annual maintenance work on the green has commenced and we hope that the green will be back to its usual high standard after a period of very challenging weather conditions. The Committee will endeavour to keep members updated on the work carried out on the green and progress being made throughout the course of the close season.

We will be looking for help from our members for out of season clean up work.

The club would welcome any donations of unwanted Astro turf to complete the lining of the bowling green gutters. Please contact George Hitchmough who can arrange collection.

CHAMPIONSHIP CUP

The final club competition of the season took place on Sunday, when seventeen members took part in the Championship Cup. This is a singles merit played off scratch. In the top half of the draw, Jim Halsall progressed to the semi-finals with comfortable wins against Laurie Townson (21-9) and Brian Sutton (21-13). In his semi-final, Jim faced tough opposition in Chris McManus and had to come back from 17-12 and 18-14 down to win a close match 21-19.

Jim’s opponent in the final was Steve McManus, whose hardest game was his quarter-final against Chris Porter, Steve just getting across the line 21-19. In his semi-final match, Steve comfortably beat Mike Milne 21-7.

The early stages of the final were close and when Steve led 12-10 after fourteen ends, it looked as though it could all the way. However, Jim hit form at the right time and won seven consecutive ends to take the title with a 21-12 win. 

• 

• 

• 

Congratulations to Jim on winning the Championship Cup for the second time, having previously won it in 2014.

LAST CHANCE CUP

Congratulations to Sue Davies and Jim Halsall on winning the Club’s final pairs competition of the season, the Last Chance Cup. This is a random doubles, where the pairings are drawn on the day and the early stages of the competition were played using a round robin format. The group winners qualified for the final and Sue and Jim’s opponents were Brian Sutton and Tony Wakefield. Brian and Tony looked favourites to win the final when they led 14-11 but a three at the 18^th end made it all square at 14 across before Sue and Jim scored the single chalk they needed to win the game 15-14. 

KEITH MAIDEN

The Club was saddened to learn that Keith Maiden passed away earlier this week. Keith had been a key member of the Kestrels team in the Aughton League, until ill health had prevented him from playing over the last couple of seasons. 

Keith was well known on the Southport bowling scene for over 40 years and had played for Botanic Gardens, Shakespeare, Fleetwood Hesketh and Crossens. He was a great competitor and a formidable opponent on the green. He was also a member of the Hesketh Arms ‘A’ team in the 1990s, which won the LV League Premier Division on multiple occasions, and he served as Club Treasurer until stepping down in 2006.

Keith’s funeral will take place at Southport Crematorium on Thursday 2^nd October at 11.00 am and all are welcome to attend. Donations are being received in memory of Keith by the North West Air Ambulance – https://keithmaiden.muchloved.com/

The Club sends condolences to Keith’s family at this time. He will be sadly missed by all his friends and team-mates. 

CLUB COMPETITIONS UPDATE

Although most of our teams’ league matches have been completed, the green will be open until the completion of the Southport Veterans’ League fixtures and there are still a couple of club competitions to take part in.

THE LAST CHANCE CUP will be held on Sunday 21st September. This is a random doubles, where pairings are drawn on the day. There will be a plate competition for pairs losing their first game. To enter, please register at the green by 11.45 am, to enable the draw to be completed in time for a prompt 12 noon start.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP CUP has been re-scheduled and will now be played on Sunday 28th September. As the Ladies’ Championship was not played due to lack of entries, this competition will be open to ALL members. This is a singles merit competition played off scratch, with no plate. To enter, please report to the green by 11.45 am for a 12 noon start.

ROUND ROBIN

The final Round Robin will take place on FRIDAY 26^th of SEPTEMBER

GREEN CLOSURE

The green will close at 5.00pm on Monday the 29^th of SEPTEMBER for winter maintenance.

OPEN SINGLES – SPONSORED BY BIRKDALE INSURANCE GROUP

Saturday saw the seventh staging of the Club’s Open Singles, when players from throughout the area battled it out for the £220 first prize. 
In the top half of the draw, Liam Gregson of Skem Park Rebels reached the final with wins against Dave Gordon (21-14), Andy Draper (21-20) and in the semi-final, Paul Reardon from Brownmoor Brooke, 21-6. Paul had defeated the 2024 champion, Fergal Wright in a close quarter-final which finished 21-19. Liam’s opponent

in the final was 2022 champion, Darren Edgerley. Darren’s closest game on his way to the final was against Ian Grady of Skemersdale. At 19-20, Ian was lying game with two close bowls, only for Darren to rest on a side bowl to take the game 21-19. This was followed by close wins against Shaun Fisher and Aaron Backhouse, both 21-17.
The early stages of the final were close, with the jack changing hands and after 13 ends, Darren held a narrow 12-9 advantage. At this stage, however, Darren won 7 consecutive ends to run out a 21-9 winner. Congratulations to Darren on being the first player to win this title twice and to Liam on playing well all day to reach the final. 

The Hesketh Arms Bowling Club would like to thank all those who supported this competition by taking part or by coming along to watch. It was particularly pleasing to see a good number stay to the end, despite the weather not being as good as we would have hoped for. We would also like to thank the following :-   

• BIRKDALE INSURANCE GROUP for their generous sponsorship
• Everyone who helped out with marking cards and measuring
• Our referee for the day, Keith Andrews, who helped to keep the competition running smoothly
• Gill from the Conservative Club for preparing the sandwiches
• Lynne Smith for her help serving hot drinks
• Our Greenkeeper, Andy Bate, for preparing the green and surrounds

We look forward to seeing everyone again in 2026 for our open competitions. 

NEWS UPDATE

HESKETH BUZZARDS – SOUTHPORT LADIES’ LEAGUE

Congratulations to Debbie Barnes and her Hesketh Buzzards team on winning the League and Cup double in the 2nd Division of the Southport and District Ladies’ Afternoon League. The team lost just one game all season to finish three points ahead of Victoria Park ‘A’.  As captain, Debbie led the way, winning 12 out of 13 games played to finish top of the divisional merit table.

The Buzzards ended the season in style by defeating their rivals Victoria Park ‘A’ by 11 chalks in the final of the Knockout Cup, played at Formby Sports & Social.

SEPTEMBER CLUB COMPETITIONS

Please note that the Championship Cup, originally scheduled for Sunday 14th September has been re-scheduled – please see details below.

Although the end of the season is fast approaching, there are still club competitions to take part in.

THE LAST CHANCE CUP will be held on Sunday 21st September. This is a random doubles, where pairings are drawn on the day. There will be a plate competition for pairs losing their first game. To enter, please register at the green by 11.45 am, to enable the draw to be completed in time for a prompt 12 noon start.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP CUP has been re-scheduled and will now be played on Sunday 28th September. As the Ladies’ Championship was not played due to lack of entries, this competition will be open to ALL members. This is a singles merit competition played off scratch, with no plate. To enter, please report to the green by 11.45 am for a 12 noon start.

OPEN SINGLES – SATURDAY 30th AUGUST

This Saturday, the Club hosts the annual Open Singles competition when bowlers from around the area compete for the trophy and a first prize of £220 out of a total prize fund of £570. We are grateful to our sponsors, BIRKDALE INSURANCE GROUP, for their continued support. 

Previous winners of this event, first held in 2016, include Southport bowlers John Hughes, Andy Draper, Darren Edgerley and Fergal Wright, as well as county players from the Wigan area, Ray Bevington and Michael Heap. This year we have a full 32 player field, and spectators will be welcome to witness a day of quality bowling. The first session starts at 10.00 am. 

Any help on the day with marking cards and measuring would be appreciated, especially for the first couple of sessions. If any members could spare an hour or so to assist with this, the organisers would be very grateful. We will have prepared sandwiches available on the day and any assistance with selling these and making drinks for our visitors would again be greatly appreciated.  

NEWS UPDATE

CHAIRMAN’S SHIELD

Congratulations to Chris Harding and Mike Milne on winning the Chairman’s Shield with a 15-5 win in the final against Alan Hatton and John Townsend.

OPEN SINGLES – SATURDAY 30th AUGUST – SPONSORED BY BIRKDALE INSURANCE GROUP

Our Open Singles competition, sponsored by Birkdale Insurance Group, has a full entry with a reserve list. The first session will start at 10.00 am and spectators will be very welcome for what is always a great day of quality bowling.

We would also appreciate help with marking cards and measuring. Finally, if anyone is able to assist with serving drinks and selling pre-prepared sandwiches, please speak to Mike Milne or Chris Harding.

WEDNESDAY SESSIONS FOR NEW BOWLERS

The Wednesday afternoon sessions for new bowlers got off to a great start last week and we have already attracted several new members. Many thanks to those who helped out. I am sure more helpers would be welcome, please speak to George Hitchmough for further details. The sessions will be held each Wednesday afternoon between 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm until just before the end of the season.

SOUTHPORT FEDERATION
The Southport Federation team’s final fixture of the season ended in defeat against Flintshire by a narrow three chalk margin. The home leg was played at Fleetwood Hesketh and resulted in a 7-5 win and an aggregate advantage of 29 chalks.

Amongst the winners were Kez Adams (21-20) and Fergal Wright (21-19). The away leg resulted in an 8-4 defeat at Argoed Bowling Club. 2025 has been a tough season for the Southport team in which they have finished in 5^th place in Division 5.

They will be looking to bounce back next season when they will be looking to gain promotion from Division 6 of the National League. …

PRESIDENT’S CUP

Congratulations to Alan Hatton on winning the President’s Cup. This is Alan’s first win in a Hesketh Arms club singles competition.

The runner-up was Phil Richards and the losing semi-finalists were Alex Rimmer and Derek Wignall.

A plate competition was held and this was won by Andy Draper, who defeated Mal Green in the final.

BOWLS FOR FUN

Following a successful Open Day at the end of July, when over 40 people attended, it has been decided to run weekly sessions for potential new bowlers on Wednesday afternoons, commencing on Wednesday 13th August. The sessions will run between 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm and if anyone is able to come down to help, it would be greatly appreciated. For further details, please speak to George Hitchmough.

BURSCOUGH LEAGUE

Our two Burscough League teams played their final league matches of the season on Friday evening. The Vultures went into the last game needing a 6-2 win against Bretherton ‘A’ to clinch the 1st Division title for the second time. Sadly, it wasn’t to be as they lost 5-3 and ended the season level on points with Banks St. Stephen’s, just nine points behind the champions. Special mention must be made of Andy Draper, who won the 1st Division Merit with an outstanding record of 14 wins out of 16 games played.In the 2nd Division, the Ospreys had a new captain in Jim Halsall and they had a good season, finishing in 5th position. Jim had another excellent season, winning 13 games to finish in 4th place in the divisional merit.

SOUTHPORT FEDERATION

Southport’s final fixture of the season in the Federation National League will take place this Sunday 10th August when they take on Flintshire. The home leg is being held at Fleetwood Hesketh and the away team will travel to Argoed Bowling Club in North Wales. Both legs will start at 2.00 pm and spectators will be very welcome.

CLUB COMPETITIONS AND EVENTS

The next club competition will take place on Sunday 17th August, when we will be staging the Chairman’s Shield. This is a non-random doubles and will start at 12 noon. To enter, please register at the green by 11.45 am on the day, to ensure that the draw can be made in time to allow for a prompt start.

Sunday 17th August   Chairman’s Shield (Non-random doubles – enter as a pair, no plate) 12.00 pm start

Sunday 14th Sept.      Championship Cup (Men’s singles – played off scratch, no plate)12.00pm start

Sunday 21st Sept.        Last Chance Cup (Random doubles with plate – pairings to be drawn on the day) 12.00 pm start

TBC        Floodlit Trophy (date and format to be decided)