The WBW Trophy concludes our bowling season in style…
This report (italics) has been kindly provided by our two captains – Gary Preston and Ann O’Halloran.
Gary begins…
The final full day competition of the season took place on Saturday 12th September. The WBW Trophy was created in honour of Brian Weatheritt who was the father of Ann O’Halloran, our Ladies’ Captain.
Ann has provided a few words about her father:
I'm not sure exactly when my father started bowling but during his time he was Secretary in 1992/93, Men’s Captain in 1995, President in 1998, 2003 and 2004 and Chairman 2005-2007.
He also helped raise funds for rebuilding of the clubhouse, did quite a bit of green keeping and he even managed to produce a club Christmas card each year from 1991 until at least 2003!
And somehow managed to get some bowling done.
The WBW Trophy was conceived as a one-day competition for the men in 2005, recently the club decided we could modernise it to be a mixed competition.
Dad would have approved!
The report on the day’s events now returns to Gary.
Our Captains welcome everyone and explain the competition format.
This is now an mixed 2-bowl pairs competition and we have expanded the number of players who can take part from the previous 24 players to 32 players, split into 4 groups. This also meant that we could arrange games played over 10 ends.
The WBW Trophy
And the (infamous) "end of round" bell.
THE QUALIFYING ROUNDS:
The four groups each had three games of ten ends and each group was very close with some great games and excellent bowling on view.
Following rain, conditions were damp and the groundsheets were down.
But delivery was unaffected.
A passerby wonders if bowling could be for him...
Whilst Cynthia knows it's definitely for her!
A very long measure is needed to decide this end.
And the "infamous" bell is rung.
Ends can be finished but no new jack can be sent.
Byes are applied and some teams come on whilst others go off.
The next round begins.
Despite the lack of rain this season the green has recovered well and looks great with it's stripes. Our thanks go to everyone involved in its upkeep.
Two ladies demonstrate the art of signalling.
The result of the latest end is recorded.
A match is completed.
All rinks have finished and Gary works out which
teams have qualified for the semi-finals.
Ground sheets are taken up and the rinks are reduced to two in readiness...
THE SEMI-FINALS:
The semi-finals were played in a light drizzle that did not put off the teams.
RINK 1
Simon Hamer & Alastair Williams v Douglas McWee & Barbara Drake
The weather was overcast. Play is underway.
Ends are won and lost.
Barbara has played a great wood but Simon and Alastair
have manage to squeeze two woods closer to the jack.
Simon and Alastair have secured their place in the final.
MEANWHILE ON RINK 2
Marilyn Broad & John Jones v Ann O'Halloran & Graham Broad.
Husband and wife compete in different teams for a semi-final place.
Could this be a winning wood coming into the head?
Someone thinks so.
It's the last end.
And the pressure is on.
Ann stays focussed.
Mrs Broad congratulates Mr Broad for getting through to the final with Ann O'H.
THE FINALS:
RINK 3
Simon Hamer & Alastair Williams v Ann O'Halloran & Graham Broad.
The Supporters Club
They're off!
It's one up to Simon and Alastair.
Now it's one up to Ann and Graham.
It's been very close throughout the final and as the two teams enter
the last end of the competition there's only one wood between them.
Ann and Graham were holding two strong woods for a win. Simon assessed the situation, bowled the very last wood and managed to draw it onto the jack to take the match. A great wood under pressure.
Our congratulations go to the winners of the 2026 WBW Trophy.
Alastair Williams and Simon Hamer
Our congratulations also go to our runners up.
A really close match. Very well played.
Graham Broad and Ann O'Halloran
Editor/Photographer: Jeff Jaycock