Secretary Report – Beaumaris Bowling Club – 2019
It has been a very difficult and challenging year for me personally after being elected as the Welsh Crown Green Bowling Association President for 2019 in February and also taking up a new position as the Secretary of the Gwynedd Crown Green Bowling Association in January.
Before going on to give a full report on the season, it would be remiss of me not to mention the news that broke on the 17th June 2019, in that the daughter of Derek Stanley, the sister of Andrew and the aunt of Jake, Susan Stanley, had passed away in very tragic circumstances. So again I feel that as Secretary of the club I should record our deepest sympathies to them and the rest of the Stanley family for their sad loss in my report.
The pre- season appearance of the Happy Valley bowling-green did not bode well for a good bowling season, as it had been badly affected by rabbit scratchings. But thankfully the Town Council, via the expert services of their employees, Gwyn and Wyn, erected a rabbit proof wire mesh fence around the green in March, to allow time for our green-keeper to get it into good condition for the start of the season.
Again I think that the club are very fortunate to have the services of Leighton Jones, as the green keeper of the Happy Valley bowling green. The hours he spent watering the green during the very hot spell of weather in the summer of 2018 paid dividends, as with so many other greens in our area being in very bad condition at the start of the season, our green was in great condition and played superbly all season long. So can I again record the clubs special thanks to Leighton on a job well done throughout the season in my report.
It was sad personally for myself, as this year has been the first year in over 30 years of playing for the Club, that my friend Ken Parry has not been seen regularly at Happy Valley. Ken as we all know is not too well these days, but for the contributions he put in for the Club as a player and as our green keeper, he hopefully will remain in our thoughts during this very difficult time for himself and his family.
The season itself, on the whole, has again been disappointing with the club only winning one trophy and finishing runners up in a number of other competitions.
North Wales Counties – Super League – Captain Adam Harris
The season started off with the disappointing news that Stuart Thomas had fallen and broken his knee cap and as such would be unable to play for the Super League for most of the coming season. But with Llanfair P G pulling out of the league just before the season started, the club welcomed the arrival of two of their players, Geraint Booth and John Evans to play in the team.
The team did extremely well and were in contention for the title up until their last match of the season away to Rhos Park, but in the end finished up in a very creditable 3RD position on 119 points, playing 20 matches, winning 12, losing 7 and drawing 1 of the matches played, behind Broughton on 129 points and Cuncliffe on 125 points.
The best player being Keith Bailey who played 17 – winning 14, losing 3 and plus 127 points on the combined aggregate. Keith also finishing 5th in the overall league aggregates table, with John Short 6th, Barry Harris 7th and Geraint Booth 11th.
The club would also like to thank Hefin Jones on taking over the captaincy in August, when captain Adam Harris suffered a life threatening reaction to an operation he had had a few weeks earlier.
N.W. Coast League – A team – Captain – Barry Harris
For what, early on, appeared to be a gloom and doom season for the A team, as after four matches they only had 8 points, it turned out to be successful, as they managed to retain their Division 1 status for 2020.
Again Captain Barry Harris had the usual problems of trying to field full teams as the season progressed, with a squad of 14 players, having lost the services of 2018 regular Andrew Stanley and which included Adam Harris and Stuart Thomas, who would only play 13 games between them through the season. He was thankful therefore for new recruits Finlay Prytherch and LLew Griffiths and also the fact that John Williams and Mike Ormond, as B team players, played three games between them to help out. In fact the A team played short only once through the season, away at Blaenau. But again with players like myself, Arfon Jones and Derek Stanley now probably preferring to play at a lower standard in 2020, it again bodes the question as whether or not Beaumaris are in a position to field two teams on a Saturday in 2020.
The team eventually finished in 9th position on 119 points, winning 11 matches and losing 11 matches. The best player being Barry Harris who played 22 games, winning 19 and losing 3 of the matches played, with a final aggregate of plus 171 points. Barry also finished in 3rd position in Division 1 aggregates table.
In the Gwynedd Cup the A team lost to Llanrwst in the semi-finals at the Penrhyn New Hall Bowling Club, 7/1 in games and by 32 points on the combined aggregate 154/122.
N.W. Coast League – B team – Captain – Trevor Ashenden
The B team had a very successful season in Division 3, but although not eventually crowned as champions, they were promoted to Division 2 for 2020 as runners up to the Vardre A team. They eventually finished on 146 points, having played 20 matches, winning 13 matches, behind Vardre A on 154 points.
The best player was Brian Begley who played 20 matches, winning 15 matches and a final combined aggregate of 104 points. Brian also finished in 7th position in the combined league aggregates table with Daniel Owen in 8th position.
The team were thankful to non-team regulars Anne Banks, John Banks, Peter Evison. Olga Evison, John Williams and Barry Ward for helping the team out when required.
In The Gwynedd Cup the B team lost to Conway in the First Round, 6/2 in games and by 46 points on the combined aggregate – 157/111.
In the Glynne Owen Trophy they lost to Craig y Don in the semi-finals at Bangor, 7/1 in games and by 56 points on the combined aggregate 167/111.
Monday Night League – Captain – David Mathias
A disappointing season which saw the team failing to match last season’s runners up spot. The team this season lost the services of 2018 regulars Robin Davies and Dave Edwards, but welcomed new player Barry Ward and Tim Williams and Ken Thomas to play for the team on a more regular basis.
The team ended the season in 5th spot having played 20 matches, winning 12, losing 7 and drawing 1 of the matches played. The best player being Kevin Fallows who played 17 matches, winning 14 and losing 3 of the matches played, with a final plus 75 points combined aggregate. Kevin also finished in 6th spot in the combined league aggregates table.
In the Pairs Aggregates Final Table, Dave Mathias and Arfon Jones finished in first position having played 19 matches, winning 18 and losing 1 of the matches played, with a final combined aggregate of plus 179 points.
In the Whitworth Cup competition the team lost in the Semi Finals at Benllech, against Llanfair P G, 3/5 in games and minus 30 points on the aggregate.
Sadly again it must be said that some teams playing in the league did not adhere to the true spirit of the competition by playing their better players both in the singles and doubles matches. The League Management Committee are now considering scrapping the doubling up rule for the 2020 season, whereupon if a team plays short next season, they lose the match/matches 21/0.
Wednesday Night League – A team – Captain – Kevin Fallows
Another tough season for the A team with them again losing out to Llanfair P G for the title. Kevin Fallows taking over the captaincy from Barry Harris after the first few weeks of the season. The A team finished the season as runners up to Llanfair P G on 77 points, five points off top position. The team played 12 games, winning 8 and losing 4 of the matches played. The best player was Tim Williams who played 11 matches winning 9 and losing 2 of the matches played, with a final combined aggregate of plus 82 points. Tim also finished 5th in the final league aggregates table, with Barry Harris in 6th place and Kevin Fallows in 7th place.
The team were thankful for the services of Mal Burns from Caernarfon who played in all 12 league matches
In the Festival Cup the A team lost in the Quarter Finals at Llanfair P G to Caernarfon – winning the games 5/3 but losing the aggregate by five points – 139/134.
They however did go on to win the John Griffiths Shield against Holyhead at Caernarfon – 6/2 in games and by 23 points on the aggregate 156/133.
Wednesday Night League – B team – Captain – Geraint Owen
The B team finished the season in 6th place on 46 points having won 4 and lost 8 of their matches played. Their best player was David Mathias who played 10 games winning 7 and losing 3 of the matches played with a final aggregate of plus 52 points. David also finished in 11th position in the combined league aggregates table.
The team were thankful for the services of David Mathias and new players Barry Ward, Finlay Prytherch, Peter Evison and John Williams
In the Festival Cup the B team lost in the Quarter Finals to Benllech at Bangor, 4/4 in games, but by 5 points on the combined aggregate – 142/137.
In the John Griffiths Shield the B team lost in the semi-finals to Holyhead in Bethesda, 5/3 in games and by 17 points on the aggregate – 152/135.
Gwynedd Veterans – A team – Captain Brian Begley
As in 2018, the A team finished as Runners up in Division 1 to Craig y Don A. They finished on 118 points, 15 points behind Craig y Don A on 133 points. The team playing 20 matches, winning 14 and losing 6 of the matches played. The best player again being D T Evans who played 20 matches, winning 17 and losing 3 and a combined aggregate of plus 176. David also finishing in 2nd position in the league aggregates table with Alan Caughter in 10th position.
In the Pairs Aggregates Table, Arfon Jones finished in 5th position having played 17 matches, winning 11 and losing 6 of the matches played. David Mathias finishing in 7th position.
The team generally suffered in trying to field a strong and regular settled teams and were thankful to Mike Ormond, Geraint Owen, Barry Harris, Kevin Fallows, Pat Smithson and David Graves for playing a total of 9 games between them to help the team out.
Gwynedd Veterans – B team – Captain – Trevor Ashenden.
Trevor Ashenden took over the captaincy of the B team from Dave Edwards half way through the season, but regrettably at the end of the season the team were relegated to Division 2 for 2020. They finished on 74 points having played 20 matches, winning 9 and losing 11 of the matches played. Their best player was Kevin Fallows who played 17 matches winning 10 and losing 7 of the matches played and a final aggregate of plus 81. Kevin also finished in 20th position in the combined league aggregates table.
The team was thankful for the contributions made by new players Peter Evison and John Williams.
In the Pairs aggregates, the best player was John Williams who played 12 matches, winning 6 and losing 6 of the matches played and a final aggregate of minus 1. John also finished in 13th position in the final pairs aggregates table, with Dave Edwards in 16th position.
Memorable achievements throughout the season.
Firstly as the President of the Welsh CGBA can I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Geraint Booth on winning the Gwyn Morris Welsh Senior Merit at the Benllech Bowling Club on the 23rd June 2019, when he beat Lewis Scott of the St Asaph Bowling club in the final 21/12, having beaten three former champions (John Bonatti, John Bailey and Garry Roberts) on the way to the final. Geraint obviously played under the colours of his home club, Llanfair P.G, but of course was also in 2019, a Beaumaris Bowling Club Country Member.
Congratulations also to Adam Harris, John Short and Ryan Short on also reaching the Welsh Merit Finals. But sadly Adam lost in his opening match 20/21, to Nick Jones of the Chirk Bowling Club, with Ryan losing his second match 15/21 to Daniel Jones of the Llanrwst Bowling Club and John losing his third match 4/21 to Garry Roberts of the Craig y Don Bowling club.
Congratulations to John Short, Geraint Booth, Keith Bailey and Adam Harris for being selected for the Welsh Senior Men’s squads for their three matches against Greater Manchester, Staffordshire and Merseyside.
Congratulations to Daniel Owen on being selected for the Welsh Junior Teams to play against Warwick and Worcester, Shropshire, Yorkshire and Staffordshire.
Congratulations to Barry Harris, Hefin Jones, Tim Williams, Adam Harris, Allan Parry, Ken Thomas, Derek Stanley, Keith Bailey, Stuart Thomas and Alan Caughter on being selected to play for the Mon Menai Division 5 matches through the season resulting in the team’s promotion to Division 4 in 2020.
Congratulations to Brian Begley, Ken Thomas, Barry Harris, Mike Ormond, Derek Stanley, Dave Mathias, Tim Williams and Alan Caughter on being selected to play for the Gwynedd Veterans teams against Wrexham, Flintshire and Clwyd.
Congratulations to Barry Harris on reaching the Welsh Veterans Finals at the Brymbo Bowling Club in Wrexham where he sadly lost in the quarter Finals to Dave Phillip of the St Asaph Bowling Club.
Congratulations to Tim Williams on reaching the final of the Gwynedd Veterans Champion of Champions Competition in Benllech on the 13th September but sadly then lost to Dennis Taylor of the Llangefni bowling club in the final.
Congratulations to Daniel Owen on winning the Anglesey and Bangor and District under 18 cup at Llanfair P G bowling club, beating another club member Finlay Prytherch in the final.
Congratulations to Barry Harris on being selected for the Welsh Veterans County team to play in the BCGBA Veterans County Championship qualifying competition at the Dilholme Bowling Club in Stoke on Trent and the fact that Barry was the only Welsh player to win his three matches on the day.
Congratulations to the “Dream Team” of Barry Harris, Keith Bailey, Geraint Booth, John Evans, Stuart Thomas and Captain Hefin Jones, on winning the 2019 Walled Towns Bowling Competition in Caernarfon on Sunday 15th September 2019.
Congratulations to Daniel Owen on qualifying for the last eight of the Coast League Presidents Day at the Sunny Rhyl Bowling Club 21st September, where he sadly lost in the first match to Mark Ball of the Llandudno Bowling Club
Congratulations to Keith Bailey and Dave Jones on winning the Bethesda Pairs competition on the 25th August 2019.
Congratulations to Dave Jones on winning the Tom Towart Cup on the 26th August 2019.
Congratulations to Keith Bailey, Adam Harris and D P Williams on reaching the Finals Night of the Llanfair P G Floodlit Open on Saturday the 21st September.
Special thanks.
Can I firstly on behalf of the Club members personally thank Tim Williams for the work he did throughout the season in his attempts to publicize the club via Facebook, via pictures and reports of the majority of games played by our eight teams.
Can I also thank all the Club Members who helped me celebrate my 70th Birthday at my party at the Bulkeley Arms Hotel on the 5th January 2019. It meant a great deal to me personally to have so many of you there to share the occasion with myself and my family.
Can I thank Kim, Dave and their staff for the support they have once again given the club by staying open on most evening match nights until 8.00pm to provide hot drinks for both the home and away teams.
Can I finally congratulate Keith Bailey (and partner Jo’s) children Jac and Ffion, re a non - bowling matter, on doing exceptionally well at the World Youth Yachting Championships in Sweden in August, Jac being crowned World Champion in his class and sister Ffion finishing in a very credible 11th position in her class. As parents it is also very creditable that Keith and Jo were prepared to make the 2500 mile round trip by car, not including the Channel of course, to take them to the event.
Finally I look forward to seeing as many people as possible at the clubs Annual General Meeting In late November and if I have failed to mention or name anyone in my report for any achievement they made throughout the season, I can only apologise.
David Mathias – Secretary to the Beaumaris Bowling Club - 25th September 2019.