NEWS

AGM
FRIDAY 18TH FEBRUARY 2022 - 7.30PM AT CROWTON VILLAGE HALL

End of Season Review - 2021

Wow! What a year this has been. Where do we start?

For the first time (in a long time) we ran six teams this season. The ex-Hazel Pear team who play in the Frodsham League joined us this year and it has been great to have them in the Club. Whilst the results were not as hoped for, they have been a very welcome addition to Crowton and it has been lovely to see them at the Round Robins and the Wilbraham Cup.

In the Mid Cheshire League, Phil Sidebotham ably captained the team to third place behind very strong Castle and Rudheath teams. The Norley evening team, also came third, with the Norley Afternoon team going one better, in second place.

In the Runcorn League, there were two new adventures. Crowton A held their own in their first year in Division 2, finishing in a creditable fifth place. A new team, Crowton B, started in Division 3 and were sixth, which was a great result for the first season. Both teams also experienced good cup runs, each playing in three rounds of the Murphy Cup, Crowton A making the semi-final, with Crowton B beating two Division 1 teams, before losing to the ultimate Cup winners, Division 1 Overton, in the quarter finals.

All in all, it has been a very successful year in the various competitions - thank you to all the players, and the hardworking captains.

The green has been in great condition all year, thanks to the team of volunteers who have looked after it, particularly Phil and Peter W, who have spent hours keeping it in shape.

Social bowling has also been successful, with a twice weekly Round Robin proving increasingly popular. Thanks to Bill for ensuring that it runs smoothly, even if he has to hide the cards to keep control!!
The two Runcorn teams have also held a couple of Round Robin events throughout the season, when both teams have had byes, and it has been good for the teams to mix and friends to come along to take part. The Wilbraham Cup was a great success, thanks to Peter B's organisation and there was an excellent turn out of members. Hopefully next year, we will be able to hold the Fun Day as well.

We finished the season with 50 members - 21 more than last year!! It has definitely been a year of "the more the merrier" as it has been a very enjoyable season, with great company and good bowling. To round off the season, there is a presentation evening planned for Friday 12th November 2021 at the Oaklands. (Let John Coats know if you are planning to attend, so that we can have enough food available!!)

Thank you to everyone, for making this a successful and enjoyable season, and it's only part of the story, as for the first time, we have entered a team in the newly formed Helsby Winter League, which is played outdoors on the new all-weather greens at Helsby Sports Club. Crowton Chameleons (don't ask me, I don't know where the name came from) have been put in Division 2 and play on alternate Wednesdays and Tuesdays. The format consists of three singles matches and one pairs match per week. For further information, please see the teams section of this website, or contact the captains Phil Sidebotham or Alistair Dalzell.

Wilbraham Cup - 2021

This year's Wilbraham Cup saw 24 members take part despite somewhat mixed weather. The Cup was won by Alan Rigby, who beat Simon Downing in the final.

In the Plate competition, Maggie Coats beat Gill Dale.

Thanks to Peter Bellis for organising the event.

End of the journey in the Murphy Cup.

Crowton A bowed out of the Murphy Cup at the semi-final stage, losing 199-165 against Grapes A.

It has been a good year for both teams in the Runcorn League, with both teams successfully navigating two rounds of the Murphy Cup. Well done to both teams.

Murphy Cup - Part 2

Tonight (15th July) saw both our Runcorn League teams in action in the Murphy Cup. It was Crowton A's first foray in the 2021 competition, which saw them against fellow Section 2 team, Subscription, playing at Pavilions Number 1 green. The 'A' team were victors, 214 - 132, after the application of the handicap.

For Crowton B, it was a second match against Section 1 opposition, this time Norton Arms 'A'. For a second time, the 'B' team were victorious, this time 176 - 166. The whole team performed brilliantly, but special mention to Peter Bellis (21-5), Stuart Bennison (21-10) and Phil Burgess, who was a last minute replacement and whose 12 chalks made all the difference.

Well done to everyone.

The draw has been confirmed and the next round will take place on Thursday 27th July. Crowton A are playing Halton RBL B at Pavilions 2. Crowton B take on Overton B at Kingsley.

Murphy Cup

The first round of the Runcorn League cup competition takes place on Thursday 15th July, with both Crowton teams taking part. Crowton A (60) are playing Subscription (40) at Pavilions Number 1 green.

Crowton B's preliminary round win (180 - 168) against Section 1 team, Pavilions A has resulted in a fixture against another Section 1 team. Crowton B (80) are playing Norton Arms A (25) at Helsby Green 2.

In memory of Anne

We refurbished the floodlights last year, to replace the previously unreliable bulbs with energy efficient LED bulbs. This was done with a contribution collected by friends and family of Club stalwart, Anne Nield, who sadly died in 2019.

In recognition of this, we have spruced up the cupboards in the club house to provide a suitable place to display a plaque in memory of Anne. We hope she would have approved.

Early Cup Exit

Bank Holiday Monday 31st May saw the Midcheshire team take on Barnton Cricket Club A in the Littler Cup at Lostock Club. Despite a number of good performances, the team lost 284 - 300 after the application of the handicap.

2021 Season

On 18th May, we are due to host our first competitive match of the 2021 season. For many of us, this will be the first competitive bowls for over 18 months.

Phil Sidebotham and Pete Winnington have been doing an excellent job maintaining the green and the surrounding infrastructure over the Winter and Spring so that everything is ready for this season. All Leagues are starting later than normal, in accordance with the BCGB Association guidelines, which means that some Leagues will be condensed into fewer months, with two matches per week. A full list of the fixtures are available on the relevant team pages.

We also welcome a new team, who previously played at Hazel Pear in the Frodsham League. With the disbanding of the Hazel Pear Club, the team have joined Crowton and will be representing us in Division 2 of the Frodsham League.

Round Robin events have started up for 2021 after a year off. These are limited to 16 people at the moment, but unlike previous years, there are two events per week at Crowton, both starting at 2.00pm - Monday and Thursday. Whilst restrictions are still in place, there is no drink or biscuits provided, and players are asked to bring their own. Hopefully this will change as we progress through the Covid Road Map.

The 2021 AGM fell foul to lock down. As a result, and in the absence of significant bowling last year, it has been agreed that the membership fee should stay at £20 for the year, and match fees will stay at £1.50 per person per game. The current team captains and officials are listed in the officials page of this website.

So, here's to another great year of bowling - it's good to be back!

2020 Update

After a strange start to the year, we have finally started playing competitive matches. All bowling was suspended in March with the arrival of Covid-19 and lockdown, but in July 2020, a submission was made by the British Crown Green Association to the Department of Sport to allow competitive bowling as long as risks were assessed and mitigated, including following social distancing rules. Our Secretary, John Coats has completed a risk assessment and we have put in place measures to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission at Crowton. A copy of the risk assessment document can be seen here.

The Norley Bowling league has put in place a league for clubs wishing to take part, there are two divisions in each of the two leagues - Tuesday Afternoon and Wednesday Evening. Crowton has a team in the second division of each league. Midcheshire Bowling League decided to suspend all competitive bowling for this season, but a friendly league has been set up for Friday evenings instead. The Newton and District Friendly league has 6 teams, of which Crowton is one. For fixtures and results, please see the 2020 "Teams" page on this website.

There may be a chance of individual cup competitions, if so we will publish details as we become aware of them.

Unfortunately, Covid - 19 has meant that we have suspended the round robins for 2020.

Welcome to the 2020 season

It doesn't seem like five minutes since we finished the 2019 season, but here we are again on the eve of 2020.

Sadly, there was bad news during the close season. In November, Anne Nield suddenly passed away. Anne and husband Tony, were founder members of Crowton Bowling Club and a core part of the club. It won't be the same without her but we are determined to carry on her excellent work. Her family kindly identified the bowling club as the recipient of various donations in Anne's name. She was very keen that we upgraded the floodlights, which we have now done and this is a fitting memorial to her friendship and support.

In November, we held our second annual presentation dinner, this time the venue was the Oaklands. As well as enjoying a buffet meal, the winners of the Wilbraham Cup and Tony Nield Trophy formally received their prizes.

The 14th Annual General Meeting was held on Thursday 16th January 2020 in the Main Hall of Crowton Village Hall. The draft notes of the meeting are available for review in the clubhouse. If any members would like a copy, please contact John or Maggie Coats. It was agreed that the yearly membership subscription will remain at £20.00 and green fees for each match will remain at £1.50 per game. For details of the current Committee Members and Captains and Vice Captains, please see our Officials page.

One of the key items reported was that following our promotion last season, the Runcorn League has accepted a second Crowton team to play in Section 3. This team will continue to be the development team, which provides a pressure-free environment to play competitive bowls. There is no pressure to win the league, our aim is to enjoy our matches and hopefully improve over time. We currently have seven players, but could do with a few more to cover for holidays and absences. If you know anyone who fancies taking up bowling, or perhaps wants to get back into bowling, then please let Maggie Coats know on 07808765110.

In readiness for the new season, there have been a couple of social events, including a brilliant morning and lunch at the North Wales Bowls Centre at Prestatyn and ten pin bowling at Widnes. Thanks to John and Ian for organising the trips.

We will be arranging to do some housekeeping and maintenance prior to the green opening, we will confirm the dates when known.

Here's to another good season.