2011 News
18th September 2011
Baldock final day Winners & Runners-up
Men’s Championship Brian Todd - runner-up - John Carter
Men’s Handicap Jim McIntyre - runner-up - Terry Saunders
Men’s Two Woods Brian Todd - runner-up - Bill Baxter
Men’s Sets Brian Todd - runner-up - Jim McIntyre
Men’s Pairs Colin Smith & John Crosby - runners-up - Charlie Owen & Dave Davies
Ladies Championship Rose Varney - runner-up - Shirley Page
Ladies Handicap Rose Varney - runner-up - Christine Norman
Ladies 2 woods Anne Haywood - runner-up - Muriel Saunders
Butler Cup Joe Moorley - runner-up - Roy Bacon
Open Pairs Lee Moorley & Mina Reid - runners-up - Michael Varney & Michael Walker
Open Triples Mike Varney, Roy Bacon, Brian Todd - runners-up - Fergus Gildea, Rob Dempster, Anne Graves
12th September 2011
Baldock men are Letchworh & District Champions in the Triples & Fours
Success for Baldock Men, John Russall, Rob Dempster & Terry Saunders, won the L&D Triples on Sunday morning at Holwell Bowls Club who housted the Letchworth & District Finals Day. They beat the Baldock Triple of Alan Cross, Jimmy McIntyre & Brian Todd who were runners-up.
The L&D Fours was won by Brian Leadley, Terry Saunders, Phil Riley & Mike Parsons, they beat a four from Stevenage Town Bowls Club.
Baldock also had its members in the L&D Mixed Pair's Jan & David Turner and in the Singles Brian Todd. They all had to settle for the runners-up spots.
29th August 2011
Success for Baldock in the North Herts and the Letchworth & District competitions. In the North Herts Shirley Page won the singles but Jayne Saunders and Anne Graves lost in the Pairs. In the L&D the rink of Brian Leadley, Terry Saunders, Phil Riley and Mike Parsons won their semi-final and will play Stevenage Town in the Final. In the Triples both Baldock teams were successful and Rob Dempster, John Russell and Terry Saunders will meet Brian Todd, John Crosby and Jim McIntyre in the final.
The club were not so fortunate in the North Division semi-final, losing to Roebuck, nor in the East Beds League Cup losing to Sandy Conservatives in the semi-final. However the Ladies achieved another 6-0 win in the North Herts Triples League.
The midweek team continued their successful run with wins over Willian by 74 shots to 49 and over Buntingford by 80 shots to 43. The weekend teams did not fare as wee losing by 40 shots to Luton West End and by 5 shots to a combined Baldock and Letchworth & District team.
22nd August 2011
A mixed week for the Baldock club. In the East Beds League the A side had already secured promotion for the second successive year and rounded off their league with another win. The B side travelled to Sandy Town for their last match knowing that a win would probably secure promotion. Win they did, but then found out that the league leaders had been beaten by the bottom team so, not only had they secured promotion, they also won the league.
The midweek team beat Henlow Park on Tuesday by 6 shots but torrential rain prevented the Thursday match from starting. The rain also caused the club's last North Division League match at Riverain to be abandoned after 4 ends. Never the less the club have qualified for the semi-finals this weekend.
The ladies continued their progress in the north Herts League with another 6-0 win. The men could not emulate this losing by one shot to Datchworth in the Cairns Cup final.
The one weekend match was against North Mymms which Baldock won by a narrow margin. The top rink was 10 year old Devon Cooper, Brian Leadley, John Russell and Brian Todd.
15th August 2011
The ladies lost their national Top Club against Shepshed by an overwhelming margin but the ladies plaudits go to 10 year old Devon Cooper who represented Hertfordshire in the National Under 31 2 rink contest at Leamington where they won two matches before losing to Devon in the quarter finals. Devon may well be the youngest player to represent Hertfordshire in a National final.
Meanwhile the men's A team in the East Beds League confirmed promotion for the second successive year whilst the B team lost their league match but won their cup match to reach the semi-finals. The B team are still in with a chance of promotion with one game to go.
In the Letchworth & District Cairns Cup the men beat Royston to reach the final of the competition which they won last year. The two away teams skipped by John Carter and Brian Todd lost by an overall 7 shots but the home teams skipped by Mike Parsons and Jim McIntyre won by an overall 11 to secure the victory. Baldock will play Datchworth in the final this week.
During the week the ladies won on both rinks against North Herts to secure maximum points but the midweek teams had a torrid time losing to Willian by 42 shots to 90 and to Norton by 65 shots to 68.
Just one weekend match, against local rivals Whitethorn where Whitethorn were victorious winning by 87 shots to 74. Baldock's top rink was Brian Leadley, Steve Garrett, Graham Woods and Brian Todd.
7th August 2011
Baldock men are Hertfordshire Bowls Inter-Club Team Champions
sponsored by Eversley Estate Planners Ltd.
The semi-final & final were played at Townsend, St.Albans green on Sunday.
In the first match (semi-final), they beat Potton End in the morning, winning by two shots over the three rinks.
This ment they were to face Harpenden in the afternoon final. The final started by Baldock winning the toss to deliver the first jack, over the first 5 ends they were down on two rinks and up on one rink. As the game progressed Mike Parsons Rink with Alan Cross Rob Dempster & Phil Riley piled on the shots & ended up winning 27-2. The 2nd rink skipped by Jim McIntyre with Dave Davies, Terry Saunders, Brian Todd played themselves into a good lead to win by 12 shots. Mike Wintrip skipped the 3rd rink with Joe Morely, Tony Castle, Dave Turner after the first few ends were 0-10 down but pulled it back to 3 down at the end. It was a fine win for the Baldock men.
1st August 2011
A good week for the competitive bowlers of Baldock. At Leamington Shirley Page's rink won their first round match in the National Finals whilst the men progressed in the County and Letchworth & District cup competitions.
On Monday Baldock played Royston in the Divisional Final of the County Inter Club Team Championship. Both sides had players missing but it was Baldock who prevailed by 16 shots. Dave Turner's rink won by 9 shots, Jim McIntyre's rink won by 7 shots and Mike Parson's rink drew. Baldock now meet Potten End in the semi-final this weekend.
League action for the men on Thursday at Holwell and Baldock maintained their unbeaten run - but not without a few scares along the way. Brian Todd's rink was always in command and won by 6 shots. Mike Wintrip's rink, meanwhile, was trailing by 11 shots after 13 ends but a remarkable recovery saw the win the last eight ends to win by 2.
No such scares in the Cairns Cup against Willian on Friday with all four triples having comfortable wins and Baldock now meet Royston in the semi-finals/
Friendly matches proved to be a lot harder for the club. The midweek triples team lost both their matches, 52-78 against Stopsley and 53-67 against Shephalbury. The weekend didn't prove any better with a loss by 63 shots to 79 against Stevenage. Baldock's only winning rink was Fergus Gildea, Joan Carter, Terry Saunders and Mike Wintrip.
25th July 2011
The week got off to a good start when Jayne Saunders, Gill Calver, Heather Stapleford and Shirley Page won the Ladies County Fours title having already qualified for the National Finals.
The East Beds League teams also had a good week with the A side given a walkover and the B side winning both their league match and a cup match beating Biggleswade by one shot putting them in the last 8 of the competition.
The midweek triples team had a disappointing week losing to Stotfold by one shot and then having Thursday's match called off due to bad weather.
In the ladies North Herts League Baldock lost to Holwell, winning on one rink but losing on the other for a final score of 2 points to 4.
Only one weekend match this week, against Henlow Park which Baldock won by 93 shots to 71 with the top rink being Anne Haywood, Brian Griffiths, Rob Dempster and Colonel Mike Wintrip.
18th July 2011
Baldock ladies have won through to the National Finals at Leamington with Jane Saunders, Gill Calver, Heather Stapleford and Shirley Page having a conclusive win in the semi-finals by 31 shots to 5. Unfortunately, the men were unable to emulate the ladies and the rink of Brian Leadley, Terry Saunders, Phil Riley and Mike Parsons lost at the semi-final stage for the second successive year.
The midweek triples team had two good wins beating Riverain by 71 shots to 62 and Buntingford by 75 shots to 58.
Mixed fortunes for the East Beds League teams. The A team lost their second match of the season but still have a chance of promotion whilst the B team had a win which keeps them in mid-table.
The men had a shock in the Cairns Cup against North Herts where the home triples won on one rink and lost on the other with a deficit of 2 shots. However the away team came to the rescue winning on both rinks with a surplus of 24 shots and last year's winners live to fight another day.
Saturday's match at Welwyn was cancelled due to appalling weather conditions but an improvement on Sunday saw a home match against Biggleswade Town with the hosts winning by 91 shots to 67. Baldock's top rink was Fergus Gildea, Jan Turner, John Russell and Rose Castle,
11th July 2011
BALDOCK LADIES ARE COUNTY TOP CLUB
Baldock Ladies celebrated as they beat Harpenden fairly convincingly to become winners of the Hertfordshire Top Club competition and move into the National play-off rounds. Shirley Page set the trend with a convincing 21-10 win in the singles which was followed by wins in the pairs and triples and a narrow defeat in the fours to leave Baldock with an 88 shots to 57 shots victory.
The two teams in the East Beds league did not fare as well, both losing in Monday night's matches although the A team did recover with a win on Wednesday. The midweek triples matches were both won, 100 shots to 37 against Steeple Morden on Tuesday and 83 shots to 40 against Howard Garden on Thursday.
The weekend also saw two victories. Against Biggleswade St Andrews on Saturday Baldock won by 114 shots to 45 with the top rink being Brian Leadley, Graham Wells, Steve Budge (making his debut for the club) and Alan Cross. Sunday's match against Bishops Stortford went the same way with 3 rinks winning and one drawing to leave a final score of 95 shots o 57, the top rink being Mike Varney, Joan Carter, Rob Dempster and Tony Castle.
Several of Baldock's players are involved in the latter stages of County competitions this week.
This evening Brian Leadley, Terry Saunders, Phil Riley & Mike Parsons played in the Quarter Finals of the County Fours at Harpenden BC against a Four from Shire Park BC. They run out winners 18-14 after a very close game.
They are now to play in the Semi-Finals at Hatfield BC on Monday 18th July.
4th July 2011
Rather a mixed week for the Baldock club. On Thursday the men took on a very strong Garston club in the National Top Club competition and lost and extremely close match by 3 games to 2. Mike Parsons got the team off to a good start with a 21 - 19 win in the 4 wood singles and John Carter's triples battled back to record a one shot win. The fours worked hard to record a victory but were left chasing shots and eventually lost. The Ladies did far better in their equivalent competition with a comprehensive 4 - 0 victory over Bishops Stortford.
The men returned to the green on Friday evening to play local rivals Whitethorn in the County Inter Club Team Championship. Dave Turner's rink looked as though they were going to win the match on their own as they romped to a 22-6 lead but a dropped 6 brought them down to earth. Jim McIntyre's rink was always close against Paul Andrews but they held on to win by 4. Mike Parson's rink had a couple of scary moments but prevailed by 5 shots leaving Baldock the winners by 62 shots to 47.
Earlier in the week both teams in the East Beds League recorded victories leaving the A team top of their league and the B team in the top half of theirs.
Saturday's friendly match against Sandy Town also went Baldock's way. Rob Dempster' triple had an easy 25 to 12 win and with Brian Griffiths and Gwen Page were top rink. Of the other 5 triples all but one were victorious leaving Baldock with a 121 to 92 win.
Sunday saw an away match at Buntingford. Again, Baldock were successful winning on all five rinks with an overall score of 121 shots against 57. The top rink for Baldock was Phil Page, Dinah Geere (guest player from Buntingford), John Russell and Colonel Mike Wintrip.
27th June 2011
All good things come to an end and they certainly did for Baldock as they went out of two major competitions in the space of 24 hours. On Friday they entertained Potten End in the 3 rd round of the County Team Top Ten competition and lost by 3 matches to 1 with a shot deficit of 9. The loss of the singles early on seemed to deflate the team but a late rally provided false hope as Potten End won the triples and the fours over the last few ends but lost the pairs.
Saturday evening's defeat was even harder to bear. In the National Club 2 Fours Baldock entertained a strong Barton-le-Clay side. After 10 ends Baldock were 2 shots behind and the same deficit applied after 15 ends. A strong finish by Dave Turner's rink produced a 5 shot win and then they had to wait for the result on Mike Wintrip's rink. With one end to play Baldock were 2 shots ahead but Barton secured the two they needed and the game moved to an extra end on Dave Turner's rink. Baldock held a very good shot from the opening bowl but, with his first bowl, the Barton skip removed it and lay game. Dave was unable to respond so Barton won by the tightest of margins.
The midweek triples team was also affected by the losing virus going down by 65 shots to 44 away to Sandy Town.
The weekend friendly matches were more successful for the club. On Saturday they traveled to Fairfield and won on 4 of the 5 rinks with an overall score of 109 to 92, the top rink being Rose Varney, Doug Nicholls, Anne Graves and Rob Dempster.
Sunday saw the first match against Luton West End which resulted in a win for Baldock by 101 shots to 54 and a remarkable top rink of John Tait, John Russell and Tony Castle who scored half the Baldock total in a win by 50 shots to 5.
20th June 2011
Another good week for the Baldock club with wins in two County and one National competition. On Thursday Baldock visited Norton in the County League and came away with a 5 shot win but maximum points by winning on both rinks, Mike Parsons by 2 shots and Dave Turner by 3.
On Friday Baldock entertained Holwell in the first round of the County Club championship on a miserable evening. Convincing wins by Mike Wintrip and Dave Turner offset the loss on Jim McIntyre's rink to win the match by 60 shots to 40.
The highlight of the week was undoubtedly the win over Townsend St Albans in the National top club competition. Phil Riley got the club off to a good start with a 17-11 win in the 2 wood singles. Mike Parsons looked as though he would double the lead when holding shot on the final end against international Andy Briden but Andy got the slightest touch to claim the game. The other three matches looked as though they were going the way of Townsend with their triples and fours well up and the pairs finely balanced. Strong recoveries by the pairs and fours produced a last wood win for the fours and a 5 shot win for the pairs and an overall 3-2 win for Baldock.
The ladies also made progress in the Top Club competition winning by 3 disciplines to 1. Another victory came in the North Herts Triples League.
Saturday's friendly match against Garston also went Baldock's way with two convincing wins and two close matches. The overall score was 107 to Baldock and 52 to Garston with Baldock's top rink being Rose Varney, Steve Taplin (a new bowler), Rob Dempster and Ivor Walker.
The bubble had to burst and it did against Potton in Sunday's friendly match. Baldock had a top triple in Joan Carter, Rose Castle and Ivor Walker but a heavy losing triple made the game safe for Potton by 86 shots to 74.
The midweek team lost their match against Fairfield but were unable to balance the books when Friday's game was called off due to bad weather.
13th June 2011
A very busy week for the Baldock club. Thursday saw the first match in this season's North Division League away at Willian. Despite several scares Baldock came away with a victory by 14 shots thanks to a 20 shot win by Brian Todd's rink. Mike Wintrip's rink lost by 6 shots to the points were split 4 to 2 in Baldock's favour.
The next evening saw Baldock entertain Bushey in the second round of the County Top Team. Early indications were not good for Baldock as Mike Parsons lost the singles by 6 shots. The other three matches were all close with Baldock slightly in front. There then came two major turning points. Firstly, both the pairs and the triples picked up 5 shots each to increase the margin. The, the rain turned to hail and the green became white! After a delay whilst the hail stopped and the green returned to the right colour Baldock picked up 11 shots over 2 ends in the triples and 5 in the pairs to win the match comfortably.
Saturday's weather was completely different and Baldock entertained St Neots and won on all three rinks, the top rink being skipped by Captain John Carter.
The weather turned nasty again on Sunday as Baldock travelled to Tring in the National 2 rink competition. Despite the continuous rain Baldock played well and opened up a 10 shot lead by the halfway point. The lead was maintained with variations of a shot here or there until Mike Parsons rink picked up 7 shots on the 19 th end which basically killed the match off. The final result was a 15 shot win for Baldock by 43 shots to 28.
The weather in Baldock was no better and the afternoon match against local rivals Whitethorn was abandoned at the tea break with the honours being called even.
Hailstones stopped play on 10th June while playing the County Top Club against Bushey BC
6th June 2011
The week started with a men's National Top Club 3rd round match at Berkhamsted where Baldock were successful in all disciplines. The match was effectively over quite early when Phil Riley won the 2 wood singles and Mike Parsons won the 4 wood singles, both very comfortably. The Berkhamsted pair conceded the match to Mike Wintrip and Brian Todd at 36 shots to 2 down allowing the triples and fours to finish early although both were in front.
The ladies also had success in their Top Club event after drawing the match 2-2 but winning on shot difference.
The midweek triple team had a mixed week. In the first time that the two clubs had played they beat Welwyn GC by 82 shots to 75 and later in the week lost to Stopsley Vets by 57 shots to 67.
Saturday saw a home game against Beech Hill from Luton and another clean sweep winning the match by 105 shots to 42. The top rink for Baldock was Joe Moorley, Doug Nicholls, Phil Riley and Brian Todd with a 35 to 7 victory.
On Sunday Baldock travelled to near neighbours Royston for a match slightly affected by rain. The result was almost a reverse of Saturday's with Baldock managing a win on one rink and a draw on one other. However the top rink of Rose Varney, Doreen Blowey, Dave Davies and John Murison had a convincing win by 36 shots to 7 which reduced the overall deficit to one shot with Royston winning by 120 shots to 119.
BOWLS REPORT - 1st June 2011
Club member Mike Parsons has been selected as one of the 30 player squad for Hertfordshire Bowls in the Middleton Cup for 2011.
He will play in the first match against Cambridgeshire at Newmarket Bowls Club on Saturday 4th June.
30th May 2011
An extremely busy week for the Baldock club and, for the main part, a successful one.
Monday saw both the East Beds League teams in action with the A team beating Potton C by 33 shots to 28. Meanwhile the B team struggled to overcome Fairfield by 36 shots to 29. The A team was in action again on Tuesday beating Maulden D by 33 shots to 28 in the first round of the knockout cup.
The midweek triples match against Biggleswade was called off due to rain but the match against Howard Garden went ahead with Baldock winning by 79 shots to 54.
Baldock Ladies played their first match in the North Herts League but came away with a loss by 37 shots to 28 against Whitethorn winning on one rink and losing on the other.
On Thursday evening the men's B team played Shire Park in the first round of the National Club 2 Fours. Unfortunately they lost but the A team made up for it with an extremely tight match against Ware on Saturday morning. With one end to be played Baldock were one shot behind but they picked up 3 shots on this end to win by 2 shots.
Saturday afternoon saw a 4 rink friendly match against local rivals Hitchin. Phil Riley's rink was always in control and ran out comfortable winners of the top rink with Marion Barker, Fergus Gildea and John Russell. Overall Baldock had 3 winning rinks and the fourth lost by only one shot to produce an overall result of a win for Baldock by 88 shots to 61.
Ware returned to Baldock on Sunday for a 6 rink friendly match and, again, the result went Baldock's way, winning on 5 of the 6 rinks with a total score of 149 shots to 87. The top rink was a close contest with Mike Parson's rink just edging out Shirley Page's. Mike had a family connection with Mike and Rose Varney at the front end and regular pairs partner Phil Riley at three.
23rd May 2011
Both the Men and the Ladies reached the second round of their respective Top Ten competitions. The Ladies had a narrow victory over Riverain by 2 shots whilst the Men were given a walk-over by Northaw & Cuffley.
The East Beds League teams had a mixed week. The A team triumphed with a 5 shot win over Potton A whilst the B team lost by 6 shots to the D team from the same club.
The midweek Triples team had another good week with wins over St Ippolytts by 100 shots to 49 and over Whitethorn by 85 shots to 77.
Saturday saw a home match against Sandy Conservatives with ex-Baldock member Yvonne Hull now President of the visitors. No mercy was shown by the home players winning on 4 of the 5 rinks giving a total score of 109 shots to Baldock and 72 to Sandy. The highest winning rink for Baldock was Marion Barker, John Russell, Eric Barker and Terry Saunders.
The Sunday match away to Standon & Puckeridge was reduced to 4 Triples. Again Baldock had only one losing rink and won the match by 69 shots to 48. Dave Davies skipped the top rink.
16th May 2011
Both teams in the east Beds League got the season off to flying starts. The newly promoted A team visited Henlow and beat their C team by 47 shots to 30. Meanwhile the new league entries in the B team beat Biggleswade D team by 42 shots to 19, winning on both rinks.
On Friday Baldock entertained local rivals Roebuck in the 2 nd rounds of the National Top Club and came away with a 3-2 win. Baldock got off to a flying start with Bill Baxter beating Steve Kilford in the 2 bowl singles by 14 shots to 7. The reverse happened in the 4 bowl singles where Brian Todd went down by 21 shots to 12 to Peter Roseblade. With honours even it was down to the team events to settle the day and, at half way through, all three Baldock teams were winning. Roebuck staged a comeback in the second half but the triples team of Dave Davies, John Carter and Jim McIntyre and the Fours of Brian Leadley, Alan Cross, Terry Saunders and Dave Turner prevailed to give Baldock a narrow win.
On Sunday Baldock visited Townsend St Albans and came away with an 82 shots to 68 win in windy conditions. The match was close up to the 15 th end until Baldock put on a spurt to secure victory. The top rink was Alan Russell, Doug Nicholls, Dave Davies and Ivor Walker who won by a convincing 27 shots to 13.
The midweek triples team suffered their first loss of the season going down by 6 shots at Three Horeseshoes in Stevenage. However they recovered later in the week with a convincing 93 to 43 shot win against Space Systems.
9th May 2011
The midweek triples team got their season off to a tremendous start with wins over Space Systems by 81 shots to 42, Letchworth Garden City by 76 shots to 60 and Stotfold by 92 shots to 84.
Despite it still being early season the first round of the National Top Team was played on May 6 th and resulted in a win for Baldock against Holwell. Things did not look too promising when both singles disciplines were losing by 11 shots to 3 but strong comebacks by Brian Todd and Dave Davies resulted in two good early points for Baldock. The Pairs combination of Phil Riley and Mike Parsons seemed well in control at 15-5 but they eventually lost by 2 shots. The triples was a close match throughout but Baldock pulled away over the last 4 ends to win by 5 shots. Dave Turner's four was also having a close match but a 7 on the 13 th end put them in control and they also won by 5 shots.
The Saturday match against St Albans Clarence Park was notable for two big scores and three close finishes. The top rink of Steve Garrett, Phil Page, Anne Graves and Brian Todd won by 30 shots to 7 while Tony Castle's rink lost by a similar score. The other three rinks were all fairly close and Baldock ran out winners by 95 shots to 91.
2nd May 2011
On Saturday Baldock made the long trip to Rushden in Northants and, hampered by a long delay on the A1,
arrived in no real move to play a game of bowls. However, things are not always what they seem and, after 5 ends,
Baldock were holding their own but then the weariness set in and by 10 ends Rushden were 20 shots ahead.
Stopping for tea did not make any difference as Rushden increased their lead to 34 shots by the 15 th end and to 50 shots by the end of the game.
Baldock did have one winning rink - Anne Haywood, Graham Woods, Rob Dempster and Mike Wintrip won by one shot.
Sunday brought a complete reversal of fortune as Baldock travelled to local neighbours Datchworth.
From the start Baldock were on top and ran out comfortable winners by 73 shots - 141 to 88.
The top Baldock rink was John Russell, Gwen Page, Dave Davies and John Murison who won by 13 shots.
On Bank Holiday Monday, May 2nd, Baldock have an Open Day as part of the Baldock Festival.
Anyone who was not able to get to the green but would like to try the sport should contact the club through their website www.baldockbowls.co.uk.