2013 News - Baldock Town Bowls Club

16th September 2013
The highlight of the week was the triumph by the Baldock Four of Joe Moorley, Dave Davies, Brian Todd & Mike Parsons in the Letchworth & District finals where they beat a team from Roebuck by the narrowest margin of 1 shot.

The midweek team had mixed fortunes losing away at Henlow by 93 shots to 67 and the beating Shephalbury away by 69 shots to 59.

The last friendly match of the season resulted in o home defeat to Welwyn Garden City by 90 shots to 115. Baldock only had one winning rink and that was Gwen Page, Fergus Gildea, Rose Castle and captain Mike Wintrip.

Sunday was club finals day and, despite the weather, good bowling and good entertainment was the order of the day. Ian Greig retained the singles championship and also won the 2 wood singles. Not to be outdone Jayne Saunders won the championship singles for the first time and also won the 2 wood singles. Rose Varney won the ladies handicap singles. Brian Todd overcame his loss in the men’s singles by winning both the men’s pairs with Michael Walker and the Open Pairs with Jan Turner who had previously lost in the championship final. The triples final was won by Colin Smith, Jayne Saunders and Peter Roseblade.

Compation Results                                                 
Open Triples        Doug Nicholls, R Dempster, A Graves. 1-12 C Smith, J Saunders, P Roseblade. Men's Pairs          John Tait, Jimmy McIntyre. 16-27  Michael Walker, Brian Todd.    
Men's Champ       Ian Greig  21-12 Brian Todd
Ladies Champ      Jan Turner  19-21  Jane Saunders      
Ladies H'Cap        Rose Varney 25-21  Val Bingley    
Butler Cup            Rob Dempster 21-8  M Bartlett
Ladies 2 Woods    Ann Graves  Conceeded Jane Saunders
Men's 2 Woods     I Greig  16-11  Joe Moorley
Open Pairs            Doug Nicholls, Dave Davies  4-27 Jan Turner, Brian Todd        
Finals to be arranged  
Men's H'Cap           Brian Todd  27-13 Martin Roberts  
Men's Sets               Dave Turner  Conceeded to Brian Todd

14th September
Baldock four: Joe Morley, Dave Davies, Brian Todd & Mike Parsons, played at the Letchworth & District 2013 finals day at Royston Bowls Club against a Robuck Bowls Club four and won the title 20-19 on the last end in a very tight game.

9th September
With the season drawing to a close the focus this week was on the midweek teams.
On Tuesday they played St Ippolytts at home and drew the match 64 shots each. On Thursday they travelled to Letchworth Garden City and came away with a victory by 86 shots to 59.

On Sunday Baldock entertained Flitwick and won on all 4 rinks for a total score of 96 shots to 62 with the top Baldock rink being Graham Wells, Colin Smith, Mina Reid and captain Mike Wintrip.

This Saturday sees the last friendly match and then on Sunday the whole day is taken up with the finals of the club competitions. All are welcome.

2nd September
Baldock lost the Divisional Final of the County League by a four shots to Whitethorn who will now play in the County Finals.

The midweek team had a mixed week, beating Riverain at home by the comfortable margin of 90 shots to 55 and lost by a similar score, 55 shots to 82, to Three Horseshoes.

Only one weekend match this week which was against Dunstable Kingsbury.
Baldock won on three of the four rinks for a total score of 92 shots to 62. The top rink was Mary Gibbons, Rob Dempster and Steve Budge.

County Presidents Day
Sunday was taken up with a day celebrating Mina Reid’s County Presidency. Over 40 ladies from all across the county enjoyed good weather, a good green and, judging by the laughter during the day, good company. Prizes were awarded for a number of events and, at the end of the day, nobody went home empty handed.  

26th August
Baldock's Ladies pick up 3 North Herts titiles in three days !
On Saturday morning in the North Herts Finals, Wendy Goodyear beat Chris Hensler to win the Hedgehog trophy and on Bank Holiday Monday morning Sue Bard-Bodek & Shirley Page won the North Herts Pairs. In the afternoon Valerie Bingley, Wendy Goodyear, Sue Bard-Bodek & Shirley Page won the fours.

Baldock's Worthing National Championship round-up

On Monday, Brian Todd and Mike Parsons won their first match in the National Pairs Championships with an end to spare, but then on to lose in last 32.
Ian Greig played in the National Singles Championship on 21st but lost after a very close game 19-21.
Baldock’s first venture to Worthing in the Over 60s Mixed Double Rink did not go to plan as they lost by 4 shots on each rink to a side from Cornwell at the quarter-final stage.

The last week of the East Beds League brought better news. The A side won to finish a creditable fourth after promotion. The B side beat the league leaders to avoid relegation and the C side had another good win to secure their place at the top of the league and promotion at the first attempt.

In the North Division League semi-finals Baldock beat St Ippolytts despite having quite a few senior players at Worthing. They will now meet Whitethorn next Sunday for the North Division title.

The ladies beat Knebworth in the North Herts League to maintain their challenge with two matches to play.

With only one weekend match this week and Baldock beat Luton Co-op by 51 shots to 42, the top rink being John Tait, Graham Cross and John Russell.

17th August
Brian Todd and Mike Parsons are to travel to Worthing to take their place in the National Pairs Championship starting in the 1st round on Monday 19th at 9.30am.
Ian Greig is playing in the National Singles Championship on 21st at 2.30pm.
Also at the Nationals on Saturday 24th & 25th are Baldocks Over 60s Mixed Double Rink Team, who are in the last eight of the Tony Allcock Trophy.

Baldock Team:

Rink  1: Jan Turner, Michael Wintrip, Shirley Page, Brian Todd
Rink: 2: Anne Haywood, Valerie Bingley, David Turner, Mike Parsons
Reserves: Rose Castle, David Davies

We wish them all the very best in their quest to win their National Finals this week at Worthing.

12th August
Baldock Ladies fell at the last hurdle in attempting to qualify for the national finals of the Top Club competition when they were beaten by the Parkway club from Peterborough. Baldock competitors in the national finals at Leamington had mixed results. Shirley Page reached the quarter final of the Champion of Champions but Devon Cooper went out in the first round of the under 25 pairs, but she is only 11!

Elsewhere the East Beds teams had a good week. The A team consolidated their position in the middle of the league, the B team managed a win which could help avoid relegation and the C team beat the top team to move to the top of the table.

The midweek team had two away matches and won them both. On Tuesday they beat Willian by 66 shots to 62 and on Thursday beat Norton by 63 shots to 56.

The weekend team also had two wins. On Saturday they played away at Whitethorn and won on 3 of the 5 rinks for a total score of 115 shots to 94, the top rink being Brian Leadley, Fergie Gildea, Graham Woods and Noreen Gazely. Sunday saw a home match against Great Barford with a win on 4 of the 5 triples and a total score of 90 shots to 81, the top triple being Graham Wells, Jayne Saunders and John Murison.

5th August
The Baldock four (Wendy Goodyear, Rose Castle, Sue Bard-Bodek & Shirley Page) in the National Finals at Leamington lost in the second round. Better fortune favoured the Baldock pair of Sue Bard-Bodek and Shirley Page who won through to the quarter finals before losing narrowly.

It was a good week for the East Beds League teams as all three won, the A team beat Potton A, the B team beat Langford B and the C team beat Great Barford. The luck did not hold for the B team as they lost to Potton in the Champions Cup.

The midweek team had two good wins beating Royston in the rain by 87 shots to 69 and Sandy Town in a heatwave by 77 shots to 64.

The weekend matches also produced two wins. On Saturday the club visited Havers Park and won on 3 of the 4 rinks for a total score of 95 shots to 67, the top rink being Jayne Saunders, Phil Page, Brian Griffiths and Mike Wintrip. Sunday’s visitors were Stotfold for the annual Maurice Dear Trophy. Baldock retained the trophy winning on 4 of the 5 rinks. The overall score was 118 shots to 72 with the top rink being Rose Varney, Colin Smith, Steve Garrett and Mike Parsons.

29th July
Brian Todd & Mike Parsons win the COUNTY MEN’S PAIRS
Baldock had the privilege of staging the men’s county finals for the second time in 5 years.
The weather was good, the green was in top condition and a large crowd turned up to watch some excellent bowling. The icing on the cake for home supporters was the win for Brian Todd and Mike Parsons in the pairs by a comfortable margin 21-11 with an end to spare. Unfortunately Ian Greig could not make it a double for the home club as he lost by some margin. All these players will appear in the national finals at Worthing in August.

The Ladies National Finals have already started at Leamington with success in the first round of the fours for Wendy Goodyear, Rose Castle, Sue Bard-Bodek & Shirley Page. Shirley had further success when she qualified for Leamington in the Champion of Champions singles.

Baldock has also won through to the last eight in the National Over 60s Mixed Double Rink at Worthing on the 24th & 25th August.

Elsewhere the men had a mixed week beating Roebuck in the North Division League with wins on both rinks and consolidate their position at the top of the table and then losing to the same club in the Cairns Cup the next day despite having two winning triples.

The midweek team had two wins, 80 shots to 42 at Ashcroft and 69 shots to 63 at home to Shephalbury.

The A and C teams in the East Beds League continue to progress well and the B team had a rare win away at Biggleswade St Andrews.

28th July
Brian Todd & Mike Parsons won the Hertfordshire County Pairs 21-11 beating Andrew Briden & Danny Macro from St.Albans Townsend BC
Ian Grieg was not on the day able to win the County Singles, which was won by Bradley Coles from Garston BC.

22nd July
This week it was the men’s turn to try to qualify for the national finals and they did so in style. Brian Todd and Mike Parsons reached the final of the men’s pairs with a one shot victory over a pair from Whitethorn and Ian Greig had a more comfortable victory in the singles.

The men also had success in the County League beating Howard garden by 6 shots with wins on both rinks for a 6 points to nil score.

The midweek team had a mixed week beating Stotfold by 104 shots to 75 but losing to Barton by 60 shots to 99.

The weekend matches saw two good wins for the club. On Saturday they beat Henlow Park by 75 shots to 55, with the rinks being shared 2 each. Baldock’s top rink was Doug Nicholls, Phil Page and Rob Dempster. Sunday’s match against Great Barford was more one-sided with Baldock winning on all 4 rinks for a total score of 97 shots to 29. Baldock’s top rink was Graham Wells, Alan Cross and Mike Wintrip.

The week came to a superb climax when the Over 60 mixed two rink team beat Halex from Essex to qualify for the national finals at Worthing. Mike Parsons rink drew but Brian Todd’s rink secured the victory with a 13 shot win. This means that Todd and Parsons will now be in two national competition finals.

15th July
The week started badly with a loss by 3 matches to 1 to Hertford castle Garden in the men’s county top ten competition, only the pairs managing a win. After that loss things improved dramatically with almost a clean sweep in other competitions.


County competitions for both the men and ladies showed success. In the ladies pairs Sue Bard-Bodek and Shirley Page qualified for the national finals at Leamington and they will be joined by Wendy Goodyear and Rose Castle in the fours.

The men also had success with Brian Todd and Mike Parsons reaching the semi-final of the pairs and Ian Greig reached the same stage in the singles. Unfortunately Brian Todd narrowly missed out on a place in the semi-finals.

The mixed over 60’s team took a step further towards Worthing with a convincing win over Rosedale and will now meet a side from Essex for a place in the national finals.

There was also league action for the club with the ladies beating Stevenage in the county league and Aston in the North Herts league and the men beating Stevenage in the men’s county league. The men also had a win over Riverain in the L&D Cairns Cup.


On the downside both the A and B teams lost in the East Beds League and the midweek team lost to Riverain but recovered to beat Buntingford.


Weekend results also went Baldock’s way with a win over Welwyn & District on Saturday by 82 shots to 60, the top rink being Brian Leadley, Ricky Norman, Jan Turner and Mike Parsons. Sunday saw a visit from Biggleswade Town and the result also went Baldock’s way, winning on 3 of the 4 rinks for a total score of 111 shots to 66. The top rink was Doug Nicholls, Pip Page, Steve Garrett and Brian Todd.


The weekend finished on a high as the ladies became champions of Hertfordshire in the Top Ten competition beating Hatfield by 77 shots to 55. They now play the Huntingdonshire winners for a place in the national finals at Leamington.

8th July
Brian Todd this week joined Ian Greig in the quarter finals of the County singles and reached the same stage in the pairs with partner Mike Parsons.

The midweek team had two good results beating Steeple Morden on Tuesday and Howard Garden on Thursday, the latter score being 78 shots to 59.

On Saturday Baldock played Biggleswade St Andrews and won on all 4 rinks by 112 shots to 59. Baldock’s top rink was Devon Cooper, Fergie Gildea, Brian Griffiths and Dave Turner whose 30 shots to 13 win included a maximum 8 shots on the 5 th end.

The Sunday match against Bishop’s Stortford was more even with each side winning on 2 rinks. The overall result was a win for Baldock by 80 shots to 68 with Baldock’s top rink being Doug Nicholls, Alan Cross, Rose Castle and Rob Dempster.

Shirley Page continues her good form with another win in the National Champion of Champions.

This week sees the club competing in the County Men’s Top Ten competition and in the National Over 60 Mixed Double rink.

1st July
DOUBLE TEN FOR BALDOCK
Both the men’s and the ladies teams were in action this weekend in the county and national Top Ten competitions. Both teams played Harpenden and both had the same result winning by 3 matches to one to move to the latter stages of the competitions. The man’s team lost only the pairs whilst the ladies lost only the fours.

Earlier in the week the men’s team had a comprehensive win over Willian in the County league winning on both rinks by a total of 20 shots.

The midweek team endured a rare loss to Whitethorn by 73 shots to 60 but recovered somewhat to draw 62 shots each with Harpenden.

The club had two good wins over the weekend. On Saturday 6 triples visited Sandy Town and all 6 won for a total score of 132 shots to 71, the top triple being Brian Jones, Mike Varney and Graham Cross. Sunday’s match at Buntingford proved a little closer with 4 of the 5 triples winning for a total score of 88 to 74, the top triple being Derek Slaney, Doug Nicholls and John Murison.

In the County singles Ian Greig moved into the last 8 with a good win over Danny Macro (21-18).

17th June
Baldock Ladies moved a stage further in the National Top Club competition with a convincing win away at Whithern. Singles, Triples and Fours all won whilst the Pairs drew when the overall result was beyond doubt.

The teams in the East Beds League had mixed fortunes with the A and C teams both winning whilst the B team lost away at Langford.

The midweek team played Fairfield away and lost by one shot in a 5 triples match.

The weekend brought better fortune for the club. On Saturday they travelled to Dunstable Kingsbury and won on 3 of the 4 triples with a total score of 85 shots to 48, the top triple being Doug Nicholls, Brian Griffiths and Alan Cross.

Sunday saw another away match this time at Potton. The result was the same with a convincing win by 141 shots to 97 winning on 4 of the 6 triples. The top triple was Doug Nicholls, Steve Garrett and Michael Wintrip.

In County Competitions both Ian Greig and Brian Todd have reached the neutral green stages of the singles.

10th June
An extremely busy weekend for the Baldock club with three national and county competitions in two days. On Friday they entertained Roebuck in the county championship and narrowly lost by 2 shots after a very thrilling and competitive match. On Saturday morning the club entertained Whithern in the county Top Ten competition and, after a slow start, won all four disciplines to move to the third round. That evening they travelled to Harpenden in the National Over 60 2 rink mixed competition and won on both rinks by a total of 8 shots.

In friendly matches the club hosted St Neots on Saturday and won on 3 of the 4 rinks with a total of 91 shots to 70, the top rink being Jayne Saunders, Gwen Page, John Russell and Tony Castle. On Sunday Whitethorn were the visitors in a 4 triples match but this time the result was different with Baldock only managing one winning rink of Doug Nicholls, Alan Russell and Mike Varney and an overall score of 65 shots to 55 in Whitethorn’s favour.

Elsewhere, all 3 teams in the East Beds League won on Monday and the midweek triples won their match at Royston by 94 shots to 86.

3rd June
The week started with a Men’s County League match at Letchworth GC with mixed fortunes as Mike Wintrip’s rink lost by 12 shots but Dave Turner’s rink won by 20 shots to give Baldock a win by 4 points to 2.

The midweek team fared less well weather wise as Tuesday’s match at Welwyn GC was abandoned after 5 ends when the green flooded. Better luck on Thursday when they beat Ashcroft by 74 shots to 61.

With the weather improved the club had two away matches at the weekend. On Saturday they travelled to Harpenden and came away with a win by 104 shots to 89 winning on 3 of the 5 rinks, the top rink being Wendy Goodyear, Doug Nicholls, Rob Dempster and Gill Calver. On Sunday the club made the short journey to Royston and won on 5 of the 6 rinks with a total score of 135 shots to 82, the top rink being John Tait, Ricky Norman, Alan Cross and Phil Riley.

There was also action in the East Beds League with the first round of the knockout cup. Unfortunately only the B team won beating Shefford by 2 shots.

In Ladies County competitions the rink of Wendy Goodyear, Val Bingley, Sue Bard-Bodek and Shirley Page have reached the semi-finals of the Fours.
27th May
Having beaten the Baldock A side in the first round of the National 2 Fours championship, the 2012 winners, Garston, travelled to Baldock to play the B side. The weather was appalling but the green played well. The B side acquitted themselves well but could not control the strength of the Garston team. Dave Turner’s rink won by 3 shots but Mike Wintrip’s rink lost by 15 to put the champions through to the next round.

The midweek team had two good wins, against Howard Garden on Tuesday by 99 shots to 44 and against Biggleswade by 55 shots to 33 in a match abandoned due to the rain.
In the East Beds League the A and the C teams recorded victories but the B team lost at Langford.

On Saturday Baldock visited Hitchin and won on 3 of the 4 rinks. Caroline Cooper played her first game for the club but, unfortunately, was on the only losing rink. Top rink was Max Cooper, Brian Griffiths, Anne Graves and John Carter.

The weather stayed fair for Sunday when Baldock visited Ware and had a comfortable victory by 140 shots to 97. Again there was a debutant for Baldock with David Owen playing his first match. All six rinks won with the highest being  Steve Garrett, Doug Nicholls, Joe Moorley and Rose Castle.

20th May
An extremely busy week for the Baldock club started with a National Top Team match against Harpenden where the host side won in 4 disciplines losing only the 4 bowl singles.

On Friday Baldock entertained local rivals Whitethorn in the Eversleigh Inter Club Team Championship. Two rinks made good starts with one lagging but, by the end of the match Baldock had won on all 3 rinks with a positive shot difference of 40 shots.

On Sunday morning it was the Ladies turn as they entertained Riverain in the County Top Ten event. Again, a sluggish start in 2 disciplines and a loss in the singles did not bode well but the ladies recovered and won the other 3 disciplines to proceed to the next round.

In the afternoon it was the turn of the Men who played Stevenage in the equivalent event. The men went one better winning all four disciplines

All this competitive activity did not detract from the usual friendly matches. On Saturday Baldock entertained Sandy Conservatives and convincingly lost by 78 shots to 112 with only one winning rink.

Sunday saw a reversal of fortunes away at Standon & Puckeridge where all four triples won.

The midweek team joined in the fun as well winning both their away matches, 56 shots to 43 at Whitethorn and by 89 shots to 58 at St Ippolytts.

5th May 2013
Baldock played their first home match of the season on Saturday against St Albans Clarence Park and, after a shaky start, recorded a victory by 88 shots to 68. Two rinks won, one drew and one lost with the top rink being Mike Varney, Mary Gibbons, Phil Riley and captain Mike Wintrip.

Our second home match of the season on Sunday was against Melbourn Bowls Club playing triples. It was a very close game with Baldock just winning 62 shots to Melbourn's 60 shots. Each team winning two triples each. Our top triple was Brian Jones, John Russall & Mike Parsons winning 19 shots to 11 shots.

Earlier in the week the midweek team had mixed results with a convincing win against Letchworth GC on Tuesday by 108 shots to 43 but a reversal on Thursday against Stotfold  losing by 9 shots, 77 to 86.

Club Notice:

On 6th May Bank Holiday Monday, is the traditional Open Day as part of the Baldock Festival with the green open for all comers from 12pm, to try their hand at the sport and enjoy the friendship of the club.