Veterans League
I went to watch the opening round of matches in the Veterans League KO competition yesterday at Thorpe Green and what an enjoyable and different experience it was. I primarily went to support my pairs partner in his attempt to reach the final for a second time and although that is still a possibility it wasn't my abiding memory of the day.
Over recent years the weather has been very unkind to the Over-80s KO and I can recall the Final being played at Kirkheaton C&BC when only the introduction of the Squeegie Roller saved the day and then another time at Hemplow where the referee told players that a significant corner of the green was out of bounds because of flooding as the rain continued relentlessly. So it was no surprise yesterday to drive to the green in the pouring rain. However it stopped before the bowlers were called to order by David Blackburn and the games started.
Four matches, eight bowlers, with at least two of them in their 90's - one 97 and one 91 and Geoff Rollinson also confirmed to me that he was 'well over-qualified' to compete in the Over-80s. Seems like they were all best friends as the banter around the green was warm and welcoming. Sid Goodwin from Meltham is the 97-years young bowler with his club carer/minder Malcolm Waddington who couldn't express his admiration of Sid enough with the only concession to his age was the pace that he ambled across the green from end to end. Arms behind his back deep in thought about the last wood he played it may have been but he was never in a hurry to catch up with his woods and why would he be?
You might think that going corner to corner would be a step too far on a wet green for some of these bowlers. Think again, as some took on the challenge of working the extremes in the hope of gaining an advantage and some surprisingly good long woods were chucked. So whilst winning wasn't the prime objective of the day to any of them it was still something that they all really wanted and competition was rife.
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More photographs at the foot of this posting
A compliment to Thorpe Green for an excellent green, a new perimeter fence erected last week to preserve the state of the green from the local youth will improve that even further and for providing sufficient markers and measurers to keep the matches flowing and orderly. The matches progressed and the conversations between bowlers continued. I went on the green to help to measure a particular end involving the two Gordons (I was going to say Gay Gordons but thought better of it) who had obviously met before as they were in deep conversation. The measuring completed the two helpers retired back to the greenside unobserved by the two Gordons who were in deep conversation and totally oblivious to the outcome of the measuring. They had to call us back for the results sometime later before resuming their match.
That banter spilled over at the end of proceedings as well as the same two got into deep conversation about the merit of different weight woods under the prevailing conditions examining each other's bowls and comparing weights. Gordon Stockton then said that he had a set of woods over 100 years old in the boot of his car that his playing partner wanted to view. So off they trot to bring these out and a small crowd gathered around for the viewing and a guessing game on the weight of these woods commenced.
And there was some bowling as well with the four winners declared and off they all went after enjoying a good afternoon out in the company of like-minded individuals. I am really pleased that the Veterans League decided to run with this, their only individual, competition this year and I look forward to the next round and then on to the Final when no doubt it will throw it down with rain once again although that is unlikely to deter any of these keen bowlers.
Round 1
at Thorpe Green
S Goodwin (Meltham) +7 12-21 G Firth (Elland C&BC) +3
D Berry (Meltham) +5 16-21 M Wood (Brockholes) +4
G Rollinson (Holmfirth) +5 21-13 D Holmes (Marsh United) +5
G Walker (Kirkheaton Con) +4 21-10 G Stockton (Almondbury Lib) +7
The results from the ties played at Huddersfield RUBC have still to be received but will be added when they are.
Preliminary Round
at Huddersfield RUBC
F Greenwood (Golcar Lib) Scratch v T Sykes (Marsh United) +3
Round 1
at Huddersfield RUBC
E Hine (Kirkheaton C&BC) +4 v B Faichney (Hudd Rec Club) +6
R Sutton (Meltham) +3 BYE D Armitage (Hemplow) +4 withdrew
J Cocking (Hemplow) +7 v G Cushing (Meltham) +5
J Townend (Paddock I&C) +4 v F Greenwood (Golcar Lib) Scratch
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