JFT & Over-80's Finals Day

Veterans League

I have always thought that the mixed Finals Day which includes the 6-Man League team competition, the Julie Fuller Trophy, and the individual Over-80's KO Semi-Finals and Final is one of the best days of the summer bowling season. Such a contrast with a team Final and a Final for Individuals which breaks down into three logical periods on the same green on the same day. The spirit and camaraderie of the Over-80s makes it an enjoyable day out. These days usually involve teams and individuals no longer involved in the League's big occasions.

There is added interest for the Thongsbridge club this year as well as contesting the JFT Final they have a representative in the semi-finals of the Over-80's as Ken Whitaker lines up against the shock story from the opening rounds, Peter Clay, who has knocked out two big hitters in Frank Greenwood and Trevor Sykes. Ken Whitaker has played for the A and B Thongsbridge teams in the 6-Man League but having played for the B team in the JFT early rounds is not eligible to play for the A team in the Final. However he has enough on his plate this week when trying to stop the in-form Peter Clay.

The Julie Fuller Trophy Final involves two clubs that have never won this competition. This is a great achievement by the Broad Oak team who are playing in the 6-Man League for the first time this season. The two Over-80's semi-finals offer very different backgrounds with the Peter Clay v Ken Whitaker tie involving two bowlers seeking their first individual title in the Veterans League. Different story in the other semi-final as both bowlers have won individual Veterans League titles. Graham Illingworth was the 2014 winner of the top individual competition, the Rose Bowl and he went on to add the Over-70's title in 2018. His semi-final opponent, Dennis Garner, followed in Graham's tracks by winning the 2019 Over-70's title. In addition Dennis was also a winner of the new Over-70's Pairs title in 2023 with Netherton Con teammate Paul Winterburn. So both bowlers have had their share of success in the Veterans League individual competitions.

OVER -80's KO

Semi-Finals

Graham Illingworth (+6)(David Brown Sports) v Dennis Garner (+2)(Netherton Con)

Peter Clay (+7)(Almondbury BC) v Ken Whitaker (+6)(Thongsbridge)

JULIE FULLER TROPHY Final Broad Oak (+7) v Thongsbridge A (+3)

OVER-80's KO Final Winners of the two semi-finals meet for the coveted trophy.