BLANDFORD BOWLING CLUB
**********************************************************************************************************
SATURDAY 2nd SEPTEMBER 2023 - ASTIN CUP COMPETITION DAY
At last a sunny Saturday which have been in short supply this summer and the wet weather has caused several of the junior coaching sessions to be cancelled. As usual the youngsters put on a great display of bowls skills which was enjoyed by family and friends.
The winners of the competitions were:-
In the junior novice section (The Minis) Rosie Bosley was victorious. Which is a great achievement for someone in their 1st season of bowling.
In the junior section Noah Cox carried on the family tradition of producing good bowlers by becoming this years champion. Noah is the great grandson on Gordon Cox who dedicated many years to Bowls Dorset and the Blandford Bowls Club.
Zach Evans was the winner of the Astin Cup which is competed for by the Senior youngsters. Zach was also awarded the Dave Joyce Shield Trophy which is awarded annually to “The Hardest Working” member of the Junior Section. This season Zach has reached the Final of the Dorset Boys U16’s singles, represented Dorset in the White Rose Trophy and is a regular member of the club team in the Dorset League.
Thanks to the Club Chairman for presenting the medals, certificates and trophies .
These events would not be possible without the club members who help to run this competition and those who weekly coach the youngsters.
*************************************************************************************************************************
SATURDAY 10th JUNE 2023 - DORSET COUNTY UNDER 16's
PRELIMINARY ROUND HELD AT BLANDFORD
The Blandford Juniors performed well in the preliminary round of the County U16’s Singles Competition held on 10th June. Against opposition from West Moors and Ferndown Bowls Clubs Lucie, Martha, Molly, Silvia, Zach and Max reached the semi-finals where Zach, Molly and Lucie were successful and will play their finals at the County Finals weekend in September to be held at Dorchester.
*******************************************************************************************************
SATURDAY 10th SEPTEMBER 2022 - ASTIN CUP COMPETITION DAY
THE ASTIN CUP is The Junior Championship Trophy for members of the Junior Section. Alan Astin was a long standing stalwart of the Club. He was Club Captain from 1988 to 1993 and President in 1997 and 1998. He was also a life member. He personally presented the Trophy in (about) 1999.
Under the direction of Sid Steele and with assistance from a band of volunteers this was the final day of a very enjoyable and successful season for everyone concerned. We were all delighted that, following a number of days of heavy rain, there was sunshine and it remained dry. This encouraged many parents, relatives and friends to turn up and give their support.
There were 26 juniors who were divided into the three usual age groups (tempered by ability in some cases). The 7 Minis (under 6 years) played from 0930. The 7 Juniors (7 to 11 years) played from 1030. The 12 Seniors (under 16) played from 1130.
The competition was a series of 6 rinks each requiring specific bowling skills. Each bowler played 4 bowls to score on each task.
Minis. The winner was Evie New (635) and runner up was Georgine Surrey (585).
Juniors, The winner was Indiana Surrey (700) a very close second was Molly Trim (690).
Seniors. The winner was Lucie Rankine-McIntosh who took the Astin Cup with 805 points. Lucie was also presented with the David Joyce Shield for her efforts throughout the season. The runner up was Max Way (765). He was also presented with the newly established Joy Steele Memorial Cup for winning the leagues during the season. He won 5 out of 6.
This was the culmination of a season in which Sid Steele has had good support from a band of volunteers, parents, relatives and friends, Most important, it has been very enjoyable for all concerned. The standard of bowling by the juniors has improved steadily throughout the year and many of them now play in senior teams. May it continue and we all look forward to next season and in doing so thank Sid for his leadership and his volunteers for their support.
*****************************************************************************************************************************
SATURDAY 27th AUGUST 2022.
The Junior Section continues to thrive under the guidance of Sid Steele and his band of volunteers. Over 30 juniors between the ages of 5 and 17 are registered for the regular Saturday morning sessions. They are divided into three ability groups who play 9.30 to 10.30, 10.30 to 12.00 and 11.30 t0 12.00 respectively. Sid arranges a variety of session including singles, pairs and skills activities with awards for each of the three ability groups. The sessions are thoroughly enjoyed by all the Juniors and are well supported by the bowlers families.
During the final session, on Saturday 10th September, the Astin Cup will be contested between 9.30 and 13.00 with awards for each of the ability groups. It is also intended to present the new Joy Steele Cup to the winner of the highest ability group.
It is hoped that many of these Juniors will follow many of the previous juniors who have gone onto to great things at senior level.
*******************************************************************************************************************************
SATURDAY 23rd APRIL 2022
The Saturday morning Junior sessions are now well underway under the guidance of Sid Steele with the assistance of a number of volunteers.
The rinks are fun events but they test bowling skills to the full.
**************************************************************************************************************************
18th NOVEMBER 2021 - UPDATE ON JUNIOR'S INDOOR SUCCESS
Millie and Nathan who showed their potential at the club finals at the end of last season have carried on their successes during the indoor season whilst playing at Dolphin IBC in Poole. They have both been selected for a trial, to be held at the Northampton IBC on 5th Dec 2021, for the England U19’s team to play in the BIIBC International Series to be played at Ballybakes IBC in Northern Ireland in March 2022.
****************************************************************************************************************
11th and 12th SEPTEMBER 2021 - COUNTY FINALS AT SHERBORNE
The Blandford youngsters performed well at the County Finals weekend at Sherborne. In the boys U16 final Max beat Matthew in a very close final after they both won 1 set they had to play a 3rd set of a single end.
In the girls U16’s final it was an all Blandford final, as were the semi-finals, with Millie Tuck beating Lucie Rankine-McIntosh. As Millie told Lucie, after the final, her day will come as she has plenty more years in this competition and this is Millie's last year as next year she will be too old.
The afternoon brought together Millie, Catherine Solway and Rebecca Cresswell to face a strong trio from Dorchester in the final of the Benevolent Triples. The youngsters showed their combined skills and collected the trophy
********************************************************************************************************
CLUB FINALS - 20th to 22nd AUGUST 2021
JUNIORS INVOLVEMENT - FOR A FULL REPORT SEE CLUB FINALS 2021.
The junior members of the club showed their skill and determination in taking home many of the trophies. Catherine Solway played in the first final of the weekend when she was narrowly beaten by 1 shot in the Ladies 2 wood singles by Sally Burton. On Saturday morning Connor Joyce partnered with Carl Budd, Millie Tuck, partnered with Lizzie Males, and Nathan Wood were involved in the Men's Pairs, Ladies' Pairs and Men's 2 Wood Singles, respectively, and all were successful. Millie was also busy on Saturday afternoon playing the Ladies' Singles final against Terri Lake, another victory. On the Sunday only 2 matches were scheduled and both involved junior bowlers. The first match was the the Bob Charlton Handicap where Nathan defeated Millie before they teamed up to tackle Barrie and Liz Males in the afternoon sun in the final of the Mixed Pairs. An intriguing match pitch guile and experience against youth and exuberance. On this occasion the youth and exuberance triumphed and completed an exceptional weekend for the Blandford Juniors.
******************************************************************************************************************
SATURDAY 7th AUGUST 2021
On Saturday August 7th 2021 Olympic fever hit Blandford Bowls Club.
A competition was arranged for the youngest club members with a few games not previously associated with the Olympic Games. These games included bean bags and plastic buckets, ditching the Minions and bowling in to the Olympic Rings.
SATURDAY 3rd JULY 2021 - STEADMAN TROPHY - COUNTY COMPETITION FOR UNDER 16 YEAR OLD BOYS
PRELIMINARY ROUNDS HELD AT BLANDFORD BOWLING CLUB
Blandford Juniors to meet in County Final.
The changeable weather threatened to put a dampener on the day’s proceedings but eventually the sun came out to shine for the semi-finals. Covid isolation and sickness had depleted the number of entries but those who were able to play made this an memorable day for the families and friends present. The youngsters who won through their “round robin” groups to reach the semi-finals were Zack Turner (West Moors), Finlay Chase (West Moors), Matthew Yarnold (Blandford) and Max Way (Blandford). In the semi-finals Max beat Finlay where both bowlers demonstrated their skills and Matthew held off Zack to win but only after a sudden death single end 3rd set with a memorable shot which turned away his opponents shot bowl and stayed to win the end.
Matthew and Max will meet each other in the final at Sherborne during the County Finals in September.
The photograph shows the young bowlers from West Moors, Ferndown and Blandford who participated in the Steadman Trophy for the County Boys U16’s.
***********************************************************************************************************************
