2012 News - Baldock Town Bowls Club

August 26th
The Baldock mens Hertsfordshire County League Team won through to the the area final today by beating Royston Bowls Club 39 - 28 over two rinks in the semi-final.

The first rink of Dave Davies, Terry Saunders, Dave Turner skippied by Michael Wintrip lost by one shot 14 - 15 and the second of Joe Morley, Steve Bubge, Brian Todd skipped by Mike Parsons won 25 - 13.

They will now meet Roebuck Bowls Club in the final who today beat Holwell Bowls Club on both rinks. The Final is on Sunday morning 10:00am on the 2nd of September at Royston Bowls Club.
Well done the lads.

August 25th
Baldock girls in North Herts Women's Bowling Association finals at Stevenage Town Bowls Club
The Baldock girls came home with two wins and two runners-up spots in todays finals at Stevenage Town Bowls Club.
Shirley Page won the singles for the third consecutive year beating Rose Varney also a Baldock girl.
Muriel Saunders, Gwen Page and Mina Read won the Triples.
In the fours Jan Turner, Wendy Gooder, Sue Bard-Bodek, Shirley Page were runner-up in game which was affected by heavy rain.
Well done all the Girls.

August 23rd
MARVELOUS Monday for BALDOCK
For the second successive season both the Baldock teams in the East Beds League have achieved promotion. The ‘B’ team beat Biggleswade by 2 shots with a win on Phil Riley’s rink and a draw on Alan Cross’s rink. This win ensures that they top the table and move into Division 4.

The ‘A’ team knew that they needed a big win in their last match and duly did so beating Flitwick by 22 shots. This leaves them in second place. Sandy Conservatives have a game in hand but must win by 49 shots to deny Baldock their place in Division 3.

The midweek team also developed the winning habit. On Tuesday they beat Willian by the narrow margin of 5 shots the overall score being 87 to 82. The habit continued on Thursday when they beat Buntingford by the substantial margin of 98 shots to 45.

August 20th
Both teams in the East Beds League have a lot to play for in the last match of the season. The ‘B’ team are already promoted to Division 4 but will finish top in the win their last match against Biggleswade. Last week’s win by 42 shots to 26 against Henlow ensured promotion. The ‘A’ team also won against St Andrews by 39 shots to 30 to remain in 3rd place. They must win their last match and hope that other results go their way to achieve promotion.

In the County League Baldock ensured that they remained top of the table with a convincing win on both rinks against Riverain for a maximum 6 points. The semi-finals are due to be played this weekend where they will meet either Holwell or Royston.

The midweek team suffered a rare loss, losing to Biggleswade Town by 87 shots to 90, the last bowl of the match deciding the outcome.
On Saturday Baldock traveled to North Mymms with a win on all 4 rinks and a total score of 103 shots to 58. Baldock’s top rink was Dave Davies, Graham Woods, Anne Graves and Mike Parsons.

August 13th
A very good week for the ‘B’ team in the East Beds League.  On Monday they beat Biggleswade ‘C’ team in a top of the table clash by 36 shots to 31 to replace Biggleswade at the top of the table. Later in the week the ‘B’ team beat Flitwick ‘A’ team, who are 3 divisions higher, by 37 shots to 27 to move into the semi-final of the Knockout Cup for the second successive year. The ‘A’ team did not fare so well losing to Sandy Conservatives by 15 shots and they are now placed mid-table.

The midweek teams again managed two wins firstly beating Willian by the narrow margin of four shots, 78 to 74 but the extended their advantage with a comprehensive win against Norton by 94 shots to 72.

On Saturday Baldock played a local derby at home against Whitethorn. The visitors obviously did not like traveling the short distance from Letchworth as they lost on all 5 rinks with a total score of 117 shots to 74. This match saw the first game for 8 year old Max Cooper who was on the top rink for Baldock along with Doug Nicholls, Phil Page and Dave Turner.

On Sunday Baldock visited Great Barford and had a totally different result losing on 3 of the 4 rinks with a total score of 64 to 55 in favour of the hosts. Baldock’s top rink was John Tait, Mary Gibbons and John Carter.

Whilst the club was at Great Barford, Avenue Park hosted an inter-divisional match of the North against the East. Baldock had 7 players representing the North and local knowledge was obviously important as the North inflicted the first defeat for the east in nearly three seasons.

August 5th
A poor week for the East Beds Leagues teams. The ‘A’ team lost by 2 shots to Potton but remain second in the table. The ‘B’ team lost by 7 shots to Flitwick and remain mid-table.
The midweek team suffered a rare defeat losing by 30 shots away at Royston.
Better news for the weekend matches. On Saturday the club entertained Havers Park and won on 3 rinks, drew on one and lost on the other for a total score of 103 shots to 77. Baldock’s top rink was Anne Haywood, Graham Wells, Brian Griffiths and Dave Turner.
Sunday saw the annual match for the Maurice Dear Trophy against Stotfold. This year the match was away but this made no difference to Baldock who stormed to a 98 to 83 shot victory winning on 4 of the 5 rinks to retain the Trophy for the fifth consecutive year. Baldock’s top rink was Doug Nicholls, Mary Gibbons, Anne Graves and Terry Saunders.

30th July
The week began well with wins for both teams in the East Beds League. The ‘B’ team played at Potton and had a tremendous result with a 2 shot win overall. The ‘A’ team visited Flitwick and also won to maintain their position at the top of the league.

The midweek team also recorded 2 wins, firstly at home to Stopsley Vets by 66 shots to 58 and then went one better with an away win by 69 shots to 58 at Shephalbury.

The men’s team in the County League visited Roebuck but narrowly lost with Mike Parson’s rink winning by 2 shots but a greater loss on Mike Wintrip’s rink meant that the overall result was a win for Roebuck by 4 points to 2.

Friday saw a local derby with Royston in the Cairns Cup. The two away rinks played their part winning by 9 shots but the home side was overwhelmed on both rinks leaving Royston to proceed to the next round.

On Saturday Baldock visited Luton Beech Hill who were celebrating their centenary. The visitors showed no respect for this achievement winning on 3 of the 4 rinks for a total score of 85 shots to 72. Baldock’s top rink was Charlie Owen, Tony Snowball (playing his first match for the club), Alan Cross and Dave Turner.

Inclement weather saw Sunday’s match with Stevenage called off before a bowl had been bowled.

23rd July
A mixed start to the week with a win for the ‘B’ team in the East Beds League against Great Barford but a defeat for the ‘A’ team against Flitwick. Never the less the ‘A’ team remain at the top of their division.

Tuesday saw a North Division league match where Baldock prevailed against Howard Garden winning on both rinks to gain maximum points.

On Thursday Baldock Ladies (Sue Bard-Bodek, Rosie Castle, Shirley Page), were at the Hertfordshire Bowls Ladies finals day at Bishops Stortford Bowls Club. Sue Bard-Bodek Won the Singles , Shirley Page was Runner-up in the Two Wood Singles, both were in the Triples with Rosie Castle but after having to play an extra end losing by one shot.
All three will be representing the county at the National Finals at Leamington in August. Good Luck Girls

Saturday saw a local friendly match away at Henlow Park. 3 of the 4 rinks won to give Baldock an overall score of 86 shots to 82, the top rink being Brian Griffiths, Doug Nicholls, Roy Bacon and Mike Parsons.

Sunday was another away match, this time at Great Barford where Baldock had a comfortable win, winning on 3 rinks out of 4. The top rink was John Tait, John Russell and John Carter.

16th July
A very good week for the ladies of Baldock in the semi-finals of the County championships. Sue Bard-Bodek won in the 4 wood singles, Shirley Page in the 2 wood singles and they were joined by Rose Castle in the Triples. All three will now represent Hertfordshire in the National Finals at Leamington.

The East Beds League teams had a mixed week. The ‘A’ team lost to Langford whist the ‘B’ team beat Fairfield. The men then played Stevenage in the North Division League and won on both rinks for a total score of 41 shots to 31.

The midweek team had two good results beating Riverain at home by 68 shots to 53 and Buntingford away by 68 shots to 58.

On Friday the men’s team played in the first round of the Cairns Cup against Three Horseshoes and won by 19 shots at home and 23 shots away to move into round 2 where the opponents will be Royston.

The weekend matches saw another two wins. Saturday’s match was at home against Welwyn & District where Baldock won on all four rinks for a total score of 105 shots to 56. Baldock’s top rink was Brian Leadley, Charlie Owen, John Baker and Phil Riley. Sunday’s match was away at Biggleswade Town where another victory was recorded by 88 shots to 60. The top rink was John Tait, Graham Wells, Bill Baxter and John Carter

9th July
Great news to start this report! Jess Ely with partner Becky Maynard have qualified for the National Finals of the Under 25 Pairs to be held at Leamington.

Elsewhere things have been much quieter. The EBL ‘A’ team won their league match on Monday but the ‘B’ team lost. Both teams remain in the top half of their respective leagues.

The midweek team had two successes beating Steeple Morden on Tuesday by the narrowest of margins, 60 shots to 59, and a more convincing win on Thursday against Howard Garden by 50 shots to 38.

The weekend brought mixed fortunes. The Saturday match at Biggleswade St Andrews resulted in a convincing win for Baldock by 96 shots to 55. Baldock won on four of the 5 rinks with the top  team being Graham Wells, Jan Turner and Captain John Carter The worm completely turned on Sunday away at Bishops Stortford where Baldock only had one winning rink which was Anne Haywood, Derek Slaney, Rose Castle and Mike Wintrip. The overall score was 80 to 72 in favour of the home team.

2nd July
The week started off well with both EBL teams winning their league matches on Monday. The ‘A’ team had a comfortable win by 66 shots to 22 against Biggleswade St Andrews whilst the ‘B’ team had a much closer encounter with Henlow winning by just 2 shots, 35 to 33.

The winning habit didn’t last as the ‘A’ team lost their EBL Cup match against Langford again by just 2 shots.

The midweek team exacted revenge for an earlier defeat to Whitethorn by winning their match by 70 shots to 56.

The weekend proved to bit a bit of a bonanza for the club. On Saturday they travelled to Sandy Town and won on 5 of the 6 rinks with a total score of 120 shots to 79, the top rink being Phil Page, Rob Dempster and Tony Castle.

On Sunday in a home game against Buntingford they went one better winning on all five rinks for a total score of 156 shots to 60. The top rink was Phil Page (again), Steve Garrett, Phil Riley and Terry Saunders.

25th June
The week started well for Baldock and then got increasingly worse.
The midweek team visited Norton on Tuesday and came away with a 86 shot to 53 win. Then, on Thursday they entertained Sandy Town and had another win, slightly less impressive, by 83 shots to 74.
The ladies played in the County Top Ten on Saturday evening  - a competition which they won last year. There was to be no repeat this year as they lost to Sele Farm by 3 disciplines to one with only the Fours recording a win.
Sunday afternoon saw the club travel to Luton West End . On a heavy and slightly sporty green Baldock managed to win by 8 shots with each side winning on two rinks. Baldock’s top team was Doug Nicholls, John Russell and Rob Dempster.
Sunday evening saw the match that the club wanted to win as they travelled to Welwyn Garden City in the National 2-Fours. Despite a good start the home team pushed their advantage and had a handsome win against Mike Parsons rink whilst Brian Todd’s rink managed a draw.

17th June
The Baldock ‘B’ team in the East Beds League had an excellent win in the first round of the Knockout Cup. A very tight match on rink 4 saw Alan Cross’s triple draw 15 shots each but Phil Riley’s triple stormed to a 39 to 8 shot win.

On Saturday Baldock visited Garston and came away with a comprehensive result, winning on all four rinks with a total score of 117 shots to 49. Baldock’s top rink was Devon Cooper, Doug Nicholls, Phil Riley and Mike Wintrip.

Sunday’s match against Potton was much closer with Baldock winning on three rinks and Potton on two. Overall score was 100 shots against 92 with Baldock’s topo rink being Muriel Saunders, Anne Haywood, Doreen Blowey and Mike Parsons. This match produced a welcome return for ex-Baldock player Bob Ashby who skipped Potton’s top rink.

11th June
A mixed week for the Baldock club highlighted by the news that the Cock Public House in Baldock has agreed to support the junior section of the club.

It seemed that the club have taken a dislike to playing on heavy greens in inclement weather as they lost a North Division league match at Willian winning on one rink but losing by more on the other. The midweek team fared no better as the match was called off after 5 ends in torrential rain!

By Wednesday things had improved and a 4 rink evening match against Holwell was completed without rain or wind and resulted in a win for Baldock by 82 shots to 52, Baldock’s top rink being Phil Page, Mary Gibbons, Dave Davies and Anne Graves.

Friday’s weather was worse again and the club travelled to Riverain on a cold and windy night and lost in the Eversley Trophy by 2 shots having been ahead for the majority of tha match.

The weekend weather was muck kinder and a 4 rink match at St Neots ended with both sides winning on two rinks. However the home side had one heavy winning rink which swayed the match in St Neots favour. Sunday afternoon saw an away match at Whitethorn in Letchworth which the home side won by 5 shots, Baldock’s top rink being Steve Garrett, Alan Russell, John Russell and Rose Castle.

Sunday evening saw the club play away at Harpenden in the National 2 Fours and win handsomely to move into the fourth round. Further success has come with the Ladies Triple of Rose castle, Sue bard-Bodek and Shirley Page reaching the semi-final of the County.

4th June
Last season both the tams in the East Beds League were promoted. Both won their opening matches of this season but both found out this week that life is tougher in the higher leagues. The ‘A’ team played Flitwick ‘D’ and lost on both rinks by small margins. The ’B’ team played Potton ‘C’ and did manage a draw on one rink whilst losing on the other.

With no match on Saturday Baldock were well represented in both the men’s and ladies national county competitions and both managed to win well.
On a wet and miserable Jubilee Sunday Baldock entertained Royston and won on all rinks, the overall score being 116 shots to 76. Baldock’s top rink was Phil Page, Graham Wells, Mike Varney and John Murison.

The midweek teams had another successful week with wins against Welwyn garden City on Tuesday by 92 shots to 48 and on Thursday against Stopsley by 72 shots to 56.
Baldock got off to a good start in the men’s North Division league with a win on both rinks against Letchworth GC. Individual scores were Brian Todd won 19-17 and Mike Wintrip by 22 – 8.

Shirley Page showed that she has not lost her form by reaching the semi-finals of the Herts two wood singles competition which will be played on July 12th.

28th May
The weekend ended in fine style for Baldock as they beat Buntingford in the National 2 Fours. It didn’t look that way early on in the match as Mike Parsons rink were held at 7-7 and Brian Todd’s rink were trailing by 18 shots to 1. However, a spirited recovery on both rinks led to Mike Parsons winning by 25 shots to 9. Brian Todd’s rink also fought back to lose by only 6 shots giving Baldock a 10 shot victory.

Earlier in the day Baldock entertained Ware in a 5 rink match which resulted in a 28 shot win by 102 to 74. Baldock won on 4 of the 5 rinks and their top rink was Joan Carter, Graham Wells, Graham Cross and John Murison.

Saturday’s match against local rivals Hitchin was a much closer affair. Both sides won on 2 rinks but Baldock prevailed by the slim margin of 5 shots, the overall score being 87 shots to 82. Baldock’s top rink was Devon Cooper, Doug Nicholls, Terry Saunders and Mike Wintrip.

26th May
Club members Mike Parsons & Steve Budge have been selected as members of the 30 player squad for Hertfordshire Bowls in the Middleton Cup for 2012.
They will play in the first match against Cambridgeshire at Shire Park Bowls Club on Saturday 2nd June.

21st May
The week started well for Baldock with Anne Haywood, Rose Castle and Shirley Page winning the North Herts WBA 2 wood triples competition.

The midweek team had mixed fortune with the match against Whitethorn being called off midway through due to appalling weather conditions. At that time Baldock were losing on all rinks. Better fortune for the team on Thursday against St Ipplollytts with the match reduced to three triples and which Baldock won by 56 shots to 35.

Another reduced rink match on Saturday when Sandy Conservatives could only field 4 rinks instead of the scheduled 5. Baldock won on 3 of the 4 rinks for a total score of 90 shots to 62. Baldock's top rink was Mary Gibbons, Doug Nicholls, Rob Dempster and Dave Turner.

Sunday morning saw a match in the National Top Club against old rivals Potten End who Baldock beat in the semi-final of the County Top Team last year. This time Potten End got their revenge with a comprehensive win. Only Mike Parsons in the 2 wood singles won for the away team.

Sunday afternoon was a 4 triples match against Standon & Puckeridge where Baldock won on 3 of the 4 triples for a total score of 85 shots to 56 with the top triple being John Tait, Graham Wells and Gwen Page..

14th May
A week of mixed fortunes and coincidences for Baldock. There was no midweek match but on Thursday they Travelled to Rosedale in the County Top Club and came away with their tails between their legs. The only winner was Brian Todd who won by 4 shots in the singles with the Fours losing by 2 shots and the Pairs and Triples by considerably more. Not a good start!

Saturday morning saw the club play in the National Over 60 2 mixed rinks competition for the first time and the experience proved short lived as they lost to Kitcheners from Berkhamstead by 10 shots despite winning on Dave Turner’s rink. The afternoon match saw a return to Rosedale in a friendly match but the result was the same as previously with Baldock winning on only one rink of the five. The overall score was 93 shots to Baldock and 115 to Rosedale. Baldock’s top rink was Phil Page, Doug Nicholls, Dave Davies and Michael Wintrip.

Sunday was another busy day with both sides in the National 2 Fours in action in the morning and a friendly match in the afternoon. The ‘A’ side played Shire Park and eventually won a very close game by 7 shots. Brian Todd’s rink won 28 shots to 24 while Dave Turner’s rink won a very close contest by 14 shots to 11. The ‘B’ side did not fare as well against a strong team from Townsend St Albans and were well beaten on both rinks. A measure of revenge was achieved in the afternoon match against Townsend again when Baldock won by the narrowest of margins, 82 shots to 81.
7th May
After a washout weekend Baldock returned to action with a first round match in the National Top Club away at Harperbury on a cold and uninspiring evening. However Baldock did not let the cold get into their bones and soon were ahead in both the singles matches. As the evening wore on both Brian Todd and Mike Parsons won their singles 21 -15 and the triples and fours had commanding leads. When the triples won their match 23-10 Harperbury conceded with only their pairs in front. In the next round Baldock will travel to Potten End.

Saturday’s match at St Albans Clarence Park did not start well when St Albans thought it was triples and Baldock rinks. Never the less the match got under way and finished with both sides winning on two rinks. Baldock’s top rink was John Tait, Graham Cross Gill Calver and Dave Turner.

The Baldock midweek teams have got off to a flying start. With two home matches in the week they won both convincingly. Against Letchworth Garden City they won by 110 shots to 61 and then went even better by beating Stotfold by 105 shots to 54.