Veterans try to play the Rose Bowl again

Veterans League

The Veterans League Rose Bowl was postponed three weeks ago because of a waterlogged green at Netherton Con following a late downpour. Rearranged for a 1.30pm start tomorrow (Thursday 2 October) at the same venue. The winner will complete the line-up in Saturday's Champion-of-Champions competition. However if Graham Hirst should complete a hat-trick of Rose Bowl victories he has already qualified for that end of season showpiece by winning the League's Over-70's competition. In that instance I understand that the organisers would select their top reserve bowler to step into filling that gap.

Gaham Hirst will be aiming for a hat-trick of Rose Bowl titles this Thursday when he sets out in the last eight of the 2025 competition at Netherton Con. With two title wins already behind him, having beaten Ray Whitwam in the 2023 Final and Garry Senior last year he knows exactly what is required to add this milestone achievement to the record books.

No bowler has ever won this competition three times and to complete it in a 4 year spell would be some achievement but there are seven opponents equally determined to lift this trophy for the very first time. None of them will be more determined than Netherton Con bowler and sponsor of the Rose Bowl for the last 5 years, Paul Rangeley. It is exactly 40 years since Paul's father, Bernard, won the title in 1985 and Paul would love to emulate his father on his home green as well.

Longwood bowler Andy Wike is the only scratch bowler in the top half of the draw, and he will be aiming to go one step further than last year when he lost 20-21 to Graham Hirst in the semi-final. The Rose Bowl has been renamed after Peter & Judith Muff after a bequest from Peter Muff's will two years ago and is the Veterans League's top individual competition with a history stretching back 54 years to 1971. It all happens at Netherton Con from 1.30pm this Thursday with the full draw for the quarter-finals below.

Finals Day at Netherton Con

Thursday 2 October

Quarter-Finals

P Hartley (+1) v A Wike (Scratch) R Mudd (+1) v G Walker (+1)

T Poulter (Sc) v P Rangeley (+2)

J Hodgson (+4) v G Hirst (Scratch)

Semi-Finals and Final