BCGBA Senior County Final Report

Bowling News

Staffordshire won the 2023 BCGBA Senior County Championship earlier this month by beating Derbyshire in the Final. That was after the Derbyshire team beat the Yorkshire side in the semi-finals. After the other semi-final Michael Ledwidge, one of the Staffordshire away team bowlers, wrote a long and emotional account of how his team managed to win the match. Following Staffordshire's success in the Final, Michael has returned to the keyboard to construct an even more detailed account of a winning bowler's perspective of how the title-winning team achieved such an outcome. We reproduce the full article here for your interest.

CROSFIELD CUP FINAL 2023

AWAY TEAM REPORT AT STRETTON BC

STAFFORDSHIRE VERSUS DERBYSHIRE

SUNDAY 3rd SEPTEMBER 2023

GLORY DAYS

The most unique of Crosfield Cup finals 2023, would be remembered as a momentous occasion, two counties mostly unsuccessful in recent years, had somehow rode their luck, broke down barriers and pushed the limits, by sheer dogged pride, immense dedication, and a voracious work ethic, coupled as well with a hint of fortune to reach this stage.

The pinnacle of the bowls season, especially in county terms is that first week in September. Almost celebratory, if you have managed to negotiate your group, grind through a semi final you were not supposed to win, and still be named as a finalist, which in football terms would be described as the equivalent of a World Cup Final. These glorious days are asterisked in any player's career as, and that singular day when you can step up to embrace and create history.

The game when that nonsensical roll up in late April, going out just after work, 6:30pm say, whereby rainfall is threatening overhead and a good tailwind affects your last ten minutes practice. Remember those last few ends, when the heavens eventually open, sheltered under a makeshift canopy, maybe erected by some of the pensioner members during the winter months, steady incessant rain now falling on your last roll up in preparing for the new season, think of where you are today, playing to a gallery in a Crosfield Cup final.

Those ends were marked for this day, this is the theatre that all the dim-witted practice procedures were amplified for. The final and pinnacle of any career surely!

A backstory once again within this report, casts this writer as a fledgling county player back in 1996, when Staffordshire last won the Crosfield Cup. Almost 28 years of age by the start of the 1996 campaign, considered still a bit novicey in Chadsmoor terms, certainly in the early stages of being trusted to win a game at home in the Super Cup at this stage.

A ten year apprenticeship, being the minimum stipulation according to my old mate Mel Evans, towards playing in these games. And Ledwidge, starting to play the competition scene of that time with regularity, and his father's handwritten maps compiled during the restime he had, propelling him towards some of the iconic venues, as advertised in the Arthur Land subscription.

Venues long gone I'm guessing, but never forgotten by this writer. such as Fegg Heyes and Burslem Suburban in the Potteries, remember those? Intricate, demanding and demanding the highest level of concentration, Ledwidge, travelled crown green pastures at this time, looking out for a venue and competition to play his trade, a Britpop 1996 soundtrack, was the musical encapsulate that adorned trips as far north as the City Of Leeds Classic, played on Burley Park. Always a tape cassette stored in the glove compartment of the Rover 216, containing the swing of Sinatra to regenerate my father Paul's mood on the return journey. Ditto the trips to Gladstone Liberal in Birkenhead, the Klondyke competition in Levenshulme, where this writer always seemed to get a killer first round draw, Bunbury, in the rural Cheshire countryside (one of Paul's favourites).

Add Leek BC, Beggers Lane into the equation supplemented by Holdswourth WMC, the home of the legendary Dennis Mercer, and you have a good cross section of greens that this writer and his father would religiously travel to annually back then, to continually improve by facing the best.

Not that Ledwidge ever was or even close to the elite, just a jobbing player, who I would like to think made the best of rather limited ability. But always a persistent trier, who would give everything, maybe sporadically capable of a golden day, where a trophy could be picked up with a bit of fortune.

Back to the present day, and always very difficult to compare teams in any sport from previous generations. How can you compare Cruyff of 1974, to the Messi and Ronaldo of the last decade in footballing terms. Same as comparing Duncan and Burrows in their heyday, to Greg Smith and Callum Wraight today. Not to mention Ellis, Coupe and Wilson's achievements over the last quarter of a century (and still winning some of the landmark prizes). So no point in analysing that winning team of 1996, with the team declared to play on Sunday 3rd September 2023.

Three players surviviving from that cauldron of 1996, and offering their souls once again to fight for the cause. Two or three of the class of 1996, named amongst the reserves, fighting a very different endgame nowadays, as social media communication makes every contributor an instant expert, whether a seasoned professional, or an armchair bowling enthusiast, your subscription deems every comment to be of equal value. Likes and comments court favourability, and lets face it everyone loves that bit of approval, but a county final attracts attention and opinion doubly, some banter and hardened viewpoint is accepted surely, within reasonable guidelines anyway.

And onto today's game at Stretton BC, a venue in 2018, where this writer had a surprising run to the semi-finals of the Midland Masters, a progression that held out it’s hand, towards making him believe in himself again. A career evaporating before this point, disintegrating at every stage towards retirement, and walking away from the sport, that had held him enthralled since his teenage years.

My father Paul, passing in January 2017, had left little to fight for on the bowling front, we came and fought as a pair, the gradual erosion of Chadsmoor, in the aftermath of Mel Evans death in July 2017, eroded motivation totally for this individual. Midland Masters, Stretton 2018, gave this competitor the desire to carry on in the sport, he had loved and cherished for so long. That new start being enhanced at Willenhall Nordley, at the start of the 2019 season, the one free year before the pandemic of 2020, and the stupor of lockdown.

So many future plans reassessed at this stage, and so many past results analysed in the context they deserved. The best times of this individuals life, spent in the company of the gentlest father and best mate that anyone could have wished for. However a life stuck in the past tends to lie buried itself, within the rustiness of memories interned. The remembrance has to become positive once again, and not just strung out reminiscing of those glory days long gone, already hastily forgotten by the pack of hungry wolves that follow, who are trying to shape their own story.

In fact 2023, climatically so similar to 1996, the chilly northern winds during practice at the home green first week, becoming more temperate and merciful, during the second week of practice, a southerly airstream would be reaching these shores by the weekend, September 3rd 2023, would be remembered as a gleefully hot summers day, with regards to future postings.

It seemed that most of the neutrals, were either in the middle of the Irish Sea, as this match drew close, on route to the September Isle Of Man festival, or just sat at home cursing the group results. What we had however, was two very spurred on county teams, hidden from the spotlight of greatness for so long.

And the match played out, almost within the same boundaries, Staffordshire, choosing the restful Stafford BC, a team almost in synchronisation with this writer's Willenhall Trinity, a sheath within themselves, but blessed with a lovely green and sloping contours to die for, the practice requested by the team management, had been answered in full, with gluttonous appetite shown by the home team so game on.

A Stretton BC away venue, not in such great nick apparently, but viewed by Derbyshire selectors as not being so bad as the headline. Something to work with, and a home venue cut at 5.5mm initially, shaved second week to increase pace. Both teams setting their stall out early, the groundsman at both venues would be the team's thirteenth player on the day. Compare, the steady 90 degree perfectly mowed edges on Stafford BC, to the lowering of the blade on Stretton, to drive home that advantage.

Both counties thinking big that Saturday evening prior to the game, almost the poor relations in county terms for so long, but renewed enthusiasm had seeped through the ranks of both sides, since those surprising semi final results in early August, an early night would be enjoyed by this writer, another Haalend hat trick before bedtime, and a new day signifying the business end of the 2023 season, lay ahead.

Sunday 3rd September, was the day that British summertime flicked the switch once more, temperatures struggling to get above high sixties since early June, suddenly hit the afterburners. Like Rodney Trotter, in that episode of Only Fools And Horses, whereby Delboy turned up the dial on the sunbed, everyone's faces seemed to be glowing once more.

A sedate drive up to Stretton with club mates Dave Semper, Ian Davis and Martin Biddulph, the usual warm greeting from teammates on arrival, Great Wyrley Travels second minibus departing from Woodfield, arriving five minutes later.

Practice commencing at 1pm for the home team, and a green maybe cut down as low as 3mm, to eliminate the predicted gremlins, but certainly not a green in such terrible condition as some doom-mongers had harboured. Quick off that devilish crown, into an apparent receiving hollow, except the bowl not exactly sucked sidewards towards its centre point, perfect weight and pinpoint land would be the ingredients required today.

The biggest team game for Staffordshire in 27 years, commenced at 2pm sharp.

Nathan Dawes, the Dudley maestro, with a 100% record this season, all played in the number one position away from home led out for Staffordshire. Conor Chamberlain awaited, Derbyshire's own talisman with his own mercurial persona and style of play. Dawes, having already taken down Gary Owen, Ian Nicholson and our own Paul Evans (albeit in Shropshire colours) on their own greens this season, exuded confidence from the off.

That pinpoint leading yet again (always on line) that Dawes possesses, always such an asset, Chamberlain’s shotplay, becoming more and more anguished as Dawes kept up the relentless pressure, crumbling in fact as Dudley's champion eased to another fine victory. What a superb season, for the lad whose roots remain White Hoss, but whose potential can be anything he wants it to be.

Game two was always going to be intriguing, Darren Carter, a lad from Stretton village, my own type of player, quiet and determined, who had been described to myself by a few wise Derbyshire spectators, as their finest exponent of this particular green.

Playing one of Staffordshire's weapons of mass destruction in Reece Farr, in fact I commented to Semper in practice, how Reece could utilise this tricky crown, with that exaggerated lefty delivery he possesses. The homebred nous of Carter started splendidly, Reece not playing bad at all, but clever utilisation of the jack all over the green, saw the Stretton specialist home, Carter playing beautifully on the day, and taking the spoils 21-8 for Derbyshire in game two.

For Daniel Davies grandmothers perspective only, (I know she follows these reports) he resembled a smiling assassin, at the commencement of his game against David May at three.

Rascality, in those twinkling mischievous eyes as usual, but also fashioned with a steely desire to do his utmost for his county, he knew his role was a first four trendsetter on this day, to lay down a marker to the opposition early doors. He started with a natural weight on the uphill downhill marks. Maybe similar to some of the land found on Woodman Mount Pleasant, and watched most avidly by his greatest inspiration and grandfather Nocker, willing on every bowl.

A classy game at number three, as David May, had to dig deep and find crucial bowls at key moments, to gain a foothill in this game. David, more expansive in the closing stages, and using his green knowledge and practice to pull away 21-16, in one of the games of the day.

Mark Jones, at four on this day representing Staffordshire. Going under the radar somewhat, but one of the most improved players in any county, since crown green bowls started up proper again in 2021. And what's more he knows it as well, totally within in his own cocoon and matchplay mode he is a man on a mission, to become the best player he can possibly be.

Three wins out of three this campaign the most pressing evidence imaginable. Facing Brian Barrass, a name that seems to have some sort of South Yorkshire association, a very vocal supporter of Barrass, standing next to this writer as the first four reached its conclusion, maybe a brother or teammate but definitely on team Barrass.

Jonah 18-12 up, in what had been a high quality encounter, pegged back in an inspired few ends by Barrass, lying two and game on towards the club to win the game 21-18. The response epitomised where Mark's head lies at the moment, a player at his peak and completely in control of his own game. That dead weight draw by Jonah to save game, maybe his finest bowl ever, and the switch towards his Willenhall Nordley teammates, towards the road edge to claim game, showed such bottle and kept the momentum in favour of Staffordshire, 21-18 to Jonah.

A further shot of euphoria, as the initial home scores were revealed from Stafford BC. 44 shots up at home after the first four ends played, shades of the 1996 success creeping into this day more and more, as the day progressed.

Jamie Wyatt, playing in that often crucial position of five at Stretton, true to form in all his appearances so far he settled straight away, some pinpoint leading of Dawes magnitude opened up an early lead for the Staffordshire player. Kelly Walley however, has been an obdurate scrapper of an opponent for a couple of decades, representing Derbyshire. Using his local knowledge, Kelly Walley opened up an 18-12 lead on his opponent. Wyatt hanging in again, and coming on strongly himself in the latter stages to close the gap at 18-19. Kelly Walley, just managing to get over the line 21-18 in a very watchable heat, but Wyatt doing himself proud once again on the big stage.

Approaching five decades in the game, David East, has been one of Staffordshire's best players for what seems like forever. That sweet naturally timed delivery, sometime fragile facade, and weather beaten angst demeanour, almost as close to this writer's own perception of David, as he would recognise himself. But always full of experience and class and the perfect foil at number six for Staffordshire. Playing the jack where he could get one close, was David's brief words to this writer, following a 21-10 victory on the day.

A three quarter version of his natural full length jack, David, found crucial saving bowls under duress, but always looked the winner of his game against the durable Andy Fearn. A sun beating its external southerly rays upon Stretton, like at no time since early June, a green getting closer and closer in pace, to that the Derbyshire selectors dreamt of a fortnight ago, except this plume of air originating from North Africa, had seemingly arrived too late to make a difference on this occasion.

Rikki Higgs, at seven for Derbyshire, against the prodigious talent of Owen Evans, not seen too much of Rikki, but he seems a player that is especially spurred on to do well. A wide arm delivery, not too dissimilar to Mike Gilpin of Shropshire, in the previous game on Meole Brace, this writer recognised. Owen, after that dream debut on Meole Brace, kept with Higgs during the early stages, Rikki then starting to win two ends to one, as with jack in hand, he quickly picked up the sharp increase in pace by 3;30pm. Owen, playing all the right notes and always in the right order, but to no avail on this occasion, 21-11 to Higgs, very impressive at the business end of this game.

Craig Cartwright, taking to the green at eight for Staffordshire. The most genuine and real character within the Staffordshire ranks, no sideshow or other face, Craig, is just himself and everybody loves him for it. The perfect bloke to work a demanding shift with, or eighty years ago, the bloke you wanted beside you on the frontline. Craig, who has had some horrible draws over the past couple of seasons, started positively once more, then one particular mark across the middle of the green using the weight difference, that Tom Brown played from the halfway stage, seemed to knock Butch out of his stride. Tom Brown, another Derbyshire player, finishing his match quickly and effectively, as the pace increased markedly mid afternoon.

Careless whispers, relayed the middle four scores at Stafford to the gallery at Stretton, maybe walking around the green, you could spot that avid statistician with a two thirds filled in programme, the upshot four more winners at home, an unheard of 82 shot advantage, Staffordshire in dreamland!

Peter Cookson, at nine for Staffordshire, been there seen it and done it, not far off a dead rubber at this stage, the back four just had to keep heads on and effectively manage the conclusion. Dave Allsopp, Pete's opponent not a familiar name or face to this writer, but very highly regarded by some of the wisest experts in the gallery.

Allsopp, looking a very solid player indeed, and Cookson, as against Mike Beer last game at Meole Brace, earning every shot on offer. 21-13, to Allsopp the result, on a green that was hardening each passing end, and developing a kind of polished sheen late afternoon.

Dave Semper, at ten for Staffordshire, honest, experienced and sometimes erratic in club form this season, but a player that nearly always saves his best form for the county occasion. And so it proved, in a very tight, well matched heat against the very deliberate Adam Stubbs, a pairing that appeared to be going down to the wire, before Semper got the positive outcome from a couple of well played forcing shots, 21-16 to David stemming the flow a little bit, as Derbyshire were starting to finish strongly at both venues.

A brief cameo appearance, for this writer in the number eleven away position, in fact bowls science Pro Zone statistical analysis, showing that Ledwidge spent longer queuing for a drink, in the very lively bar area, than time actually spent on the green.

It was a match drifting towards that inevitable Staffordshire victory, but just wish I could have at least been in the game during any period, or at best given my opponent a decent workout. John Dewey, one of Derbyshire’s best players, and I knew that from the off and was fully alert so I thought, but was took apart this day, on a green now proper quick by a classy opponent.

John Newey, then Dewey, maybe the rhyming surname of this writer’s nemesis back in May on Woodfield, had come back to haunt him again. Lights shone intermittently, and brightly at times mid afternoon, from that bedroom attic in Newcastle, owned by a certain Ben Daly, who led the campaign initially for John Newey,’s inclusion in the 2023 squad.

Following the scores at both venues online, his whole computer network crashing most spectacularly, as his great friend Dave Semper's victory was posted, further information regarding the Dewey, Newey result rendering his server as obsolete.

He really must get down to Staffordshire soon, to see his father Eamonn, and plan his 2024 campaign for John’s inclusion at grass root level. One of the heroes of 1996, played at twelve for Staffordshire. Dave Wright, from Windmill, probably the finest temperament this writer has witnessed, in handling the county moment.

Anyone involved in bowls, in any Midlands county has heard of “Lefty" as nicknamed by his friends and teammates, bought back into the side on The Rag in the semi final, to add experience and stability at the death, he justified the captain’s pick with a fine victory. His opponent today Ian Brown, another Stretton Anglesey bowler, looking very comfortable and confident, as the green too late in the day started to resemble the Stretton BC dreamt of by the Derbyshire selection panel, any bowl now slightly moving in certain areas as it picked up speed off the crown, trough bound. Ian Brown, a handsome 21-12 winner against Lefty, the final result.

The late Derbyshire rally at Stretton BC, had been replicated at Stafford as they recorded three winners in the back four at both venues, heavy early damage especially at Stafford, had left them requiring a miraculous turnaround from the halfway stage. However, It was Staffordshire’s day, the home advantage had been kept at a plus of 82 shots, the deficit on Stretton BC minus 45 shots in the end, so an overall victory of 37 shots in favour of Staffordshire for the archive.

The after match speeches, beginning quite promptly at Stretton, Derbyshire’s team manager Paul Chamberlain up first, a very honest and gracious assessment by Paul, summing the days events perfectly even though he remained disappointed at the end result, a speech tinged with sadness also, as he revealed the full extent of the legendary Derbyshire official and Midland Masters supremo, Glyn Holmes deteriorating health, sadly Glyn passed away a few days later, a sobering perspective for all those involved on the day.

Newbo, replying for Staffordshire in a response that crackled with emotion, the vision had become reality and the arduous planning had become fact, nobody deserved this moment as much as Nick, whose loyalty to Staffordshire over many years, some of them very testing, has remained unequalled.

A day, where many of those Staffordshire stalwarts no longer with us may be remembered as well, names such as George MacGill, who honed a youthful Aaron Tapper's potential at M&B, along with Dave Murray (Murph), ditto to Ray Leath at Nordley, himself a hero of 1996, always positive, always lovely company. Ditto to AJ, Alan Matthews of Victoria Park, another player from the 1996 team, who passed away last year, an early inspiration in the careers of Chris Ward and Gordon Hawkins. Ditto to Mel Evans, whose legacy will always be kept alive by Lynn Pritchatt, Chadsmoor and Staffordshire’s iconic landlord.

The celebrations ran on deep and late, back at Stafford and into the early hours of the next day. Lightning does indeed strike twice and 27 years apart, however the next landmark is for Staffordshire to build on this success, by evolving and having no sentiment in moving forwards.

The younger players are the future, and for the first time in many years the bench looks strong, and are just waiting their chance to make a case, don’t think it will be another 27 years before the Staffordshire name is scribed on this wonderful trophy again.

Finally this writer, always tries to find a title for each piece written, usually a song choice, whereby the lyrics of the song chosen, are somehow connected to the events described in my writings. Bruce Springsteen, wrote Glory Days about past glories, lost glory and future hope and glory. However, Bruce may have to take a back seat on this occasion, to a song composed by the Staffordshire county squad, that has become the anthem of their Crosfield Cup success, the lyrics going something like:-

“Newbo, Newbo, he takes us to the final, the final, and that’s the way we like it, we like it ...in fact we f*@kin love it, we love it...Weeyheeywooahhwooowooo.