Veterans 2017 Season
Welsh Vets Club Champions 2017
Tuesday 3rd October 2017 at Flint BC
The annual Vet's Club Championship – the Mel Higham Trophy – was held at Flint Coleshill Bowling Club on Tuesday 3rd October. Teams taking part, one from each area included, Broughton ( Flintshire Area), Rhos Park ( Glyndwr Area), Gresford Colliery (Wrexham Area) and Llandudno Oval (Gwynedd). Referees on the day were Derek Evans, Jim Clarke, Peter Hughes and Tom Lockyer.
In this eight a side competition, Broughton drew Rhos Park in one of the pairings. After the first four blocks, Broughton were 81 and Rhos Park 84. A 21-10 and 21-11 win for Rhos Park in the second half of the match brought the final first round scores to Broughton 127 and Rhos Park 133.
In the second pairing, Gresford Colliery faced Llandudno Oval. After the first four games the sides were 10 points apart with Gresford on 61 and the Oval on 71. In the second four blocks, each side had a 21-6 winner but the final score saw the teams still with the 10 point gap. Gresford Colliery finished on 130 and Llandudno on 120.
Gresford now met Rhos Park, the winners of the trophy in 2014. Rhos were really up to regaining the trophy and produced three winners out of the first four games. A further three successes in the second four brought the final scores to Gresford Colliery on 123 and winners Rhos on 152.
Team Captain for Rhos Park, Colin Evans, received the trophy from Peter Higham representing the family looked on by Immediate Past Welsh President Martin Richardson and 2017 Welsh President Dusia Price.
Full Results
Welsh Champion of Champions 2017 Winners Rhos Park
Presentation by WCGBA President Dusia Price to wining captain Colin Evans
Runners Up Gresford Colliery
Broughton and Bretton
Llandudno Oval
 
Welsh Mens Veteran Team
Qualifying matches for this competition were held on Thursday 13th July with Wales playing at Davenham Recs. An interesting green, long and thin but with some interesting spots.
The following players have been selected to play for Wales at Davenham Rec. Bowling Club, Mid-Cheshire, CW9 8HR on Thursday, 13th July 2017 starting at 10am.
Graham James (Esclusham)
John Bonatti (Coed Talon)
Ritchie Jamieson (Coed Talon)
Colin Smith (Aston)
John Jones (Broughton)
Merfyn Jones (Rhos Park)
Graham Bennett (Cunliffe)
Des Hey (Broughton)
Gary Roberts (Craig-y-Don)
Kevin Nicholas (Gresford Colliery)
Glyn Jones (Rhos Park)
Phil Holmes (Caerwys)
BCGBA dress code applies. i.e. Black trousers with a Welsh shirt.
I will endeavour to get shirts for Gary and Phil (and John?)
If any of the above players are unavailable for this match, will they let Mike Barrodale know as soon as possible on 01745/591337. Please be at Davenham by 9.30 on the day, as the draw needs to be made at 9.45.
Jack and Jean Isherwood Veterans Championship 2017
The annual Vets individual Championship was held as usual at Prees Cricket and Recreation Club on Wednesday July 5th. Taking part from Wales were the Welsh Vets Champion 2017 – Graham James, Trevor Bate, Bobby Jones and Colin Jones. Trevor Bate was in action in the first four meeting old hand Tommy Hayes (Greater Manchester). Trevor played some excellent woods but eventually lost by 21-17. In the second four Colin Jones had the toughest game which could have gone either way. He lost 21-20 to Tony Cavanagh (Merseyside) who was last years' runner up in this competition. Bobby Jones and Graham James both lost in their first round games. Bobby lost to 21-12 and Graham last to 21-15. The competition was eventually won by Gerald Merry(Cheshire).
Vets Merit 2017
Welsh Vets Merit
Final 2017.
The Welsh Vets
Merit was held at Argoed Bowling Club on Wednesday 7th June. There
were sixteen players in total with some former and current Welsh County players
in the line up. Past Welsh President, Martin Richardson ( Northop Hall ) hosted
the event. Referees on the day were Peter Hughes, Alan Davies and Derek Evans.
In the first four,
Barry Phillips ( Eirias Park ) couldn't find his usual form and lost to John
Cope ( St Asaph ) 21-9. Bobby Jones ( Broughton ) played a steady game to win
21-17 against Elfyn Jones ( Denbigh ).
In the second
round, Bobby cruised to a 21-8 win against John Cope. John Bonatti and Colin
Jones were neck and neck for most of their second round game with Colin coming
out on top at a close 21-18. The second round also saw an excellent game
between Dave Philip( St Asaph ) and Graham James ( Esclusham ) with Graham
eventually securing his place in the semi final.
The four semi
finalists presented spectators with an open field, with no previous winners of
the cup in the line up.
Bobby Jones had a
tough game against Trevor Bate ( Llandudno Oval ) and lost narrowly to 21-19.
Colin Jones' game was even closer. At one point Colin and Graham were on 20
across before Graham finally triumphed 21-20.
In the final, both
Trevor Bate and Graham James bowled some excellent woods. In the end it was
Graham who lifted the Julie Dawson Trophy with a 21-11 win.
The four going
through to represent Wales at the British Vets Merit at Prees on Wednesday 5th
July are Graham James, Bobby Jones, Trevor Bate and Colin Jones.
*The name on the
trophy was 'The Julie Dawson Cup'. If anyone knows the history of this trophy,
drop us a line.
The Vets Competitors
The Semi-Finalists
The 2017 Champion Graham James (Esclusham)