Newsletter April 2023
Alas, we reach the end of the indoor bowling season, as we await the arrival of sunshine and warm weather to add to the enjoyment of playing bowls outside.
The last season of indoor bowling has been great, with a large number of players significantly improving their game during the season. This has contributed to our successful season in the Wessex league, with our highest league position for over 10 years and also for the leagues and internal competitions where a number of newer bowlers were evident. Congratulations to Gloria Watson and Mary Maull in particular for their achievements and congratulations to Steve Gould for reaching 5 finals in various internal competitions.
We had 54 teams in the leagues this year within 8 separate leagues and awards were presented to the winners of each at the annual Presentation evening, which was well supported. Congratulations to the following for winning their leagues:
Mon PM – Ladies Triples League – MARIGOLDS – team captain Val Harris
Mon Eve – Open pairs league – TRISTARS - “ “ Kevin Alder
Tues AM – Mixed Rinks league - TIGERS - “ “ Derek Hamilton
Tues Eve - Men’s rinks league - BADGERS - “ “ Alec Shepherd
Wed AM - Mixed Triples league - VENTURERS - “ “ Paul Killackey
Thurs AM – Open Rinks league - MODESTS - “ “ Andy Cullington
Fri AM - Open Triples league - INCREDIBOWLS “ “ Ken Lamacraft
Fri Eve - Men’s Triples league - BARMEN - “ “ Martin Shepherd
In addition, the North Oxon League, for outdoor clubs (playing indoors) finished with a fixture between the two leading teams on the last Saturday with West Witney BC narrowly beating Witney Town BC to take the title.
‘’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’
It is never too early to register a team for playing in the leagues, next season, starting in October 2023 and 33 teams have done just that, so far. This helps to secure your players before they are attracted to other teams. If you want to enter a team, please let me know. Next season will see 5 leagues being handicapped, following a successful trial on Tuesday evenings for individually handicapped players. This promises to make all games closer, with good players having to concentrate more to produce their best games. I suspect there may be a few surprises !
Best wishes to all indoor bowlers for the coming outdoor season and to those returning to different clubs for the summer, why not tell your club players about the pleasures of indoor long mat bowling and bring them along too.
Finally, we are part way through gaining planning permission for a new clean air heating system which will be quieter and more cost effective in due course. We anticipate this work starting in June and it will be operating from the start of the new season.
Thanks to all members for supporting this club through the winter season and I look forward to meeting up with everyone again in October.
John Hurren, Chairman of the Indoor section.
