Southport L.V. League 2024

Southport LV Bowls League

 

Secretaries Report 2023

 

After making the league open to ladies at our AGM, we started the season with 1 new club and 2 new teams. Crossens BC joined the league and Victoria Park BC entered a 2nd team. This gave us 18 teams, playing in 2 divisions and 324 registered players.

 

The first league competition of the season was the LV Handicap Singles. We had 52 entries, who played qualifiers at 8 venues to produce the last 8 for the finals day. We held the finals day at Sandbrook Park BC, where we were treated to a pleasant venue, with great refreshments and an excellent green. Darren Edgerley deservedly won this event, beating Alistair Adams in the final. Trophies and prizes were presented by our President, Jeff McMillan.

 

The second league competition was the LV Pairs. We had 27 entries playing in the 3 qualifiers. The last 8 finals day was held at Scarisbrick BC on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. The green was in excellent condition and the hospitality was superb. The final, between Danny Harding & Chris Willan and Kerrin & Alistair Adams, was played to a marvellous standard and it was a shame that one of the pairs had to lose. But it was Kerrin & Alistair that were worthy winners. Our President, Jeff McMillan, presentated the trophies infront of an enthusiastic crowd.

 

We held our President's Day at Fleetwood Hesketh, on Saturday 24^th June. This was in honour of our President, Jeff McMillan. This turned out to be a fantastic day, with 30 competitiors battling it out for the Presidents Shield. The green proved to be somewhat tricky on the day and there was some great bowling. We were treated to a fantastic buffet lunch, thank you Fleetwood Hesketh fo organising that. The semi-finals saw Steve McManus(SNSC A) narrowly beating Nick Aindow(Sandbrook) 21-20 and Billy Roddan(Zetland) defeating Kerrin Adams(Hesketh Arms) 21-18. Billy strode out confidently for the final and, although Steve played some verygood bowls and never gave up, Billy never looked worried, winning 21-10. Jeff McMillan presented the trophies and prizes and said what a great day it had been for himself and his family. The league then presented Jeff with a commerative glass tankard, to remember his ime as the Southport LV Bowls League President.

 

In July, we held the LV Individuals. We had a dissapointing 30 entries, playing in the 2 qualifiers. The last 8 Finasl Day was held at the London Sphynx, where the green was in superb condition. The final was played to an excellent standard. to such a degree that the last end changed with every single bowl. Both finalists, Paul Crummey and Danny Harding, played magnificently. Unfortunately, someone had to win. So, this years LV Individuals Champion is Paul Crummey, winning the final 21-18. Trophies and prizes were presented by League President, Jeff McMillan.

 

The final league copmpetition was the LV Handicap Pairs. We had another dissapointting number of entries at just 17. We held 2 qualifiers and the last 8 finals day was held at Zetland Hotel BC on a lovely Sunday afternoon. The green was in marvellous condition and the hospitality was superb. The final, between John Cragg & Derek Rotherham and Sue Davies & Jim Abram, was played to a excellent standard, with Sue & Jim taking an early lead before John & Derek came back to lead 19-15. Sue & Jim fought to the bitter end, to take victory 21-19, and the title. Our President, Jeff McMillan, presentated the trophies infront of an great crowd.

 

The first Division was won by Crossens BC, who dominated this season, winning 14 of there 16 matches and drawing the other 2. They finished 49 points infront of Zetland Hotel 'D'. John Ashcroft was their best player winning 15 out of his 16 games, but this was only good enough for second place in the divisional averages, as Ian Valentine(Zetland 'D') won 16 out of 16 to take the Merit Award. Crossens also dominated the Divisional Cup Competition, winning the final against Victoria Park Mohawks with just nine players.

 

In the Premier Division, it was Scarisbrick NSC 'A' that dominated both the Division and the Divisional Cup. Thery won the league with an impressive 15 out of 16 match wins and drawing the other match. Beating Hesketh Arms Eagles into second place by 44 points. Scarisbricks best player was Alistair Adams, winning 13 out of his 15 games. Yet again this was not enough to secure the Divisional Merit Award, Paul Crummey(Victoria Park) won this, winning 14 out of his 15 games. Althiough Scarisbrick NSC 'A' had to give Fleetwood Hesketh 'A' 30 start in the Divisional Cup Final, they defeated them by 65 chalks, winning all but one of the games on the night.

 

I would just like to say what a great season it has been for the Southport LV Bowls League this year. We have welcomed new teams and players. We have succesfully run two divisions within the league, two singles competitions, two pairs competitions, a presidents day and two divisional team knockouts. Thank you to all the members for your support and I hope you have enjoyed the league as much as I have. Here's looking forward to another great season next year.

 

Gary Burgess

League Secretary