British Wheelchair Bowls Association
The BWBA hold several training weekends each year at its Headquarters at Stoke Mandevile IBC, Bucks. They offer opportunities for competition, coaching and the sharing of experiences between wheelchair bowlers.
The most recent weekend say the annual running of the Kay Pipe Pairs held in the name of the late Kay Pipe. This matches up experienced wheelchair bowlers with those less so and is always a popular event.
Last year’s winners Kevin Woolmore & Brenda Penny were unable to attend this year. Woolmore had just won his Club Triples so was committed to the County Triples Competition whilst Penny was under the weather and was resting at home.
The pairings this year brought together Bristol club-mates Alan Brown and Tony Down. Alan was last minute substitute. They used their local knowledge of each other’s game to good effect winning two early matches, though one was a very close affair against Mark Morris and George Ridgeon, where the margin of victory was only two shots, which were secured on the last end.
Brown and Down went through to the Final against Percy Powell and Norman Gault whoc were both under par for the game, losing by seven shots and handing the Kay Pipe Plate to the Bristol duo.
As well as the weekend’s competition, four new wheelchair bowlers came along to the weekend for specialist coaching and advice which they will be able to put into good effect when back at their home bowls clubs. “All in all it was a successful weekend,” said BWBA Chairman, Ian Blackmore.
MATCH REPORT
The keenly fought annual fixture between the two sets of bowlers sharing Stoke Mandeville IBC took place as part of the BWBA’s Christmas celebrations. The BWBA had won the last two meetings, last year’s margin of victory was 144 – 89; a ‘not bad’ 55 shots, so the wheelies were looking for three in a row.
About half the BWBA team had international experience which meant that Stoke Mandeville would have to be at their best and they did have Bucks County President Alan Weston in their ranks. The early initiative was taken by the wheelies with one rink scoring a seven first off. This stirred them on and the momentum continued throughout the game with handsome wins on all rinks apart from one. The only BWBA losing rink was skipped by the experienced Percy Powell who went down 16 – 22 to opponent Mervyn Vicary’s rink.
In congratulating Stoke Mandeville’s bowlers on taking defeat in a very sportsmanlike way, BWBA Chairman Ian Blackmore reminded everyone that wheelchair bowlers won on all rinks. Why? Well, Vicary who skipped the only Stoke Mandeville win uses a wheelchair and is a double champion at the Aylesbury club.
The overall win of 186 - 73 was more than double last year’s winning margin and meant that the BWBA kept hold of the ‘Tony Allen Trophy’ for another year and DID make it three wins in a row. After, quickly moving on from the result everyone enjoyed a slap-up fish and chip supper, a raffle in aid of the BWBA which raised over £70 followed by one of the now legendary, and extremely popular BWBA quizzes run by the BWBA’s Web Master, Lea Davis.
Match Results (BWBA rinks first): -
B.Penny, M.Bull, M.Penny, P.Powell 16 - 22 J.Dickson, H.Geary, M.Warwick, M.Vicary
M.Morris, K.Willetts, I.Blackmore 29 - 8 K.Taylor, G.Hopcroft, A.Fielding
B.Woolmore, J.Pearsoin, T.Pearson, L.Davis 32 - 8 P.Dickson, D.Whiting, M.Fielding, D.Powell
Y.Body, T.Down, G.Body, K.Woolmore 37 - 12 B.Taylor, B.Kennerley, A.Reid, D.Warwick
M.Serban, G.Ridgeon, C.Gibson 40 - 7 D.Hoved, D.Mill, G.Barnett
V.Bradley, G.F-Blyth, H.Dare, T.Fitzgerald 32 - 16 P.Archer, B.Gaudnero, J.Freeman, A.Weston
Wheelchair bowlers from across the mainland UK congregated in Stoke Mandeville recently to compete for the 2009 BWBA UK MatchPlay Singles title along with a significant cash prize, valuable ranking points and the prestigious Tony Allcock Trophy.
There are two major wheelchair singles titles to be won each year – one based upon 21-up and the other based upon a sets format. The MatchPlay Singles is the latter: two sets of nine ends with a tie break to follow if necessary. Players were divided into four groups which would determine the semi-finalists and there was a Plate competition too.
The two favourites in Group A were Mike Diston (Truro BC) and Percy Powell (White Oak IBC) and they did indeed qualify with Powell topping the group unbeaten. Group B saw defending MatchPlay Singles Champion Kevin Woolmore (Ffrith IBC) joined by Welsh team-mate Dave Powell as well as previous winner Lea Davis (Jacks Centre IBC). Despite playing well, Dave Powell had to give best to Davis and Woolmore who had a head-to-head to determine the group winner. Woolmore won a close match on a tie-break to top the group. Group C had the experienced Scot Arthur Black (Cumbernauld IBC) along with David Smith (Spalding IBC) who was returning to top-flight bowls after an extended bout of ill health. Neither of these would win the group; that honour went to Paul Brown (Bristol City & County IBC) with Smith as runner-up. Group D was a very close and open one. If any one of the games in this group had been different then positions one to four in the group would have completely changed. As it was, Dave Walker (Leeds IBC) topped the group with veteran George Ridgeon (Mid Glos IBC) finishing runner-up. The unlucky bowlers in this group were Val Bradley and Steve Clark.
The first semi-final matched up Percy Powell against Kevin Woolmore. As expected, it proved to be a very closely fought match. The first set was shared and the second set went to the final end. Powell was one shot down with one end to go so had to win the end to at least force a tie break. He was unable to do so as Woolmore won the last the end by one shot to win the final set by two shots and take his place in the Final for the third year running. In the other semi, Paul Brown and Dave Walker shared a set each but it was Brown who held his nerve in the tie-break to win it 2-0.
The Final was a contrast of styles - Woolmore employing the draw shot whenever possible and only occasionally firing; whilst Brown had a more attacking style looking for conversions and turn-overs wherever he could. Brown took the first set by five shots 10-5 but Woolmore kept his cool and took the second set 11-6. So, as with previous Finals both players steadied themselves for the tie-break and it was Brown, the younger of the two, who took it 2-0 to add his name to the list of those who have taken the BWBA MatchPlay Singles title. (Almost a double success for Paul who just a few days later had the chance of winning his club singles but just pulled up short and had to settle for runner’s up spot in that one.) Third place was taken by Percy Powell and the Plate was won by Lea Davis.
Results: - Final
P.Brown 10 6 2
K.Woolmore 5 11 0
Third Place
D.Walker 5 2
P.Powell 8 8
Plate
L.Davis 4 12 2
D.Smith 10 5 1
BWBA June Training Weekend – Competition, Coaching and Advice
A BWBA training weekend offers a variety of bowling experiences. For example, the recent Summer weekend saw the introduction of a handicap singles competition a few years ago which has proved very popular, and so it was again this year.
The handicapping saw some very close matches but the winner was the BWBA’s UK No1 Ranked wheelchair bowler, Kevin Woolmore who can be seen receiving congratulations from BWBA Assistant Coach Peter Eykyn.
However, there are other elements to a successful weekend. This time we were able to arrange to hire out a ‘clippie’ bowls wheelchair to allow someone to keep bowling rather than give up the game she loves. This lady was Eileen Moodey and she came along with her daughter who had been referred to the BWBA by Bowls England.
On the Sunday morning of the weekend we had a visit from four able-bodied coaches from Hampshire: Brian & Sheila Crow and Don & Sheila Goodwin. They wanted to learn more about how to coach wheelchair bowlers. One of the four, Sheila Crow has supported the BWBA for several years by becoming an Associate Member. They were able to discuss tips and techniques with BWBA coaches Penny Tyler and Peter Eykyn and spent a productive morning at the home of wheelchair bowls in the UK. “We have learnt so much from Penny and Peter and we can now really appreciate what a great job the BWBA does,” said Sheila Crow to me as she left for home.
Tamworth & District IBC was the venue for the year’s BWBW UK MatchPlay Pairs with defending Champions Ken Harrington & Norman Ardin having the shortest distance to travel of all the competitors. Others had come much further to contest one of the BWBA’s national titles.
In the MatchPlay Pairs wheelchair bowlers can play with a partner of their choice; it maybe a good friend, a spouse, or a club playing partner. It was the latter combination that worked so well for Harrington & Ardin last year and illustrated that wheelchair bowlers are fully integrated into clubs and being treated as bowlers first, playing alongside and against their able-bodied counterparts.
With two woods each over the best of two 9-end sets (with a three end tie-break if required) it would be all about success with the draw-shot. The group stages of the competition would determine the finalists for the Championship and for the consolation Plate. Unusually, in this group stage there was only one tie-break but this would change when the knock-out stages started.
Harrington & Ardin made it through to the semi-finals along with the scratch pair of John Appleton & Bob Love, Bristol’s Paul Brown & Tony Down and last year’s Plate winners from Plymouth, Keith Hammacott & Dave Willis. The draw for the first semi-final saw a repeat of last year’s final - Harrington & Ardin versus Brown & Down. The Bristol pair appeared to have the first set in the bag when leading 7-2 after six ends but they lost 6 shots in four ends to go down 7-8! They did however take the match to a tie-break with a comfortable 12-6 win in the second set. The tie-break was very close and was won with two audacious shots by Ardin who took out woods with his own ‘yard-on’ deliveries. Phew - a win for the defending Champions and disappointment for Brown & Down.
The other semi was similarly close. The scratch pair of Appleton & Love were benefiting from Love’s excellent drawing shots and they had a straightforward 10-5 win in the first set against Hammacott & Willis. However, they were pegged back 5-7 in the second to take the match into the shoot-out. Love’s drawing was the difference in that shoot-out and Appleton & Love went into the Final.
The first set in the Final was hard fought with Harrrington & Ardin just sneaking it 7-6 on the last end. The second was less competitive as Appleton & Love had a 9-3 win, so cue the tie-break to decide the 2009 title and cue a 2-0 tie break win for the defending Champions to retain their title and congratulations all round.
Third place went to Brown & Down to add to their runners-up spot last year and the Plate was won by Alan Cunningham & Owen Smithson.
Lady President, Phyllis Jones presented the prizes to the Plate winners and Club President, Alan Palmer handed over the prizes and cash to the Champions. Club Secretary, Ted Buckley told Nationwide Bowler, “We have been extremely pleased and honoured that a major wheelchair bowls championship should be based at Tamworth for the second year running and hope the BWBA will want to come back for a third year in 2010.”
BWBA - John Morse
Solicitors Pairs 2009
St.Andrews Bowls Club in Weston-super-Mare is the location for the BWBA’s outdoor pairs competition generously sponsored by John Morse Solicitors of Swansea. This year was the sixth year of John Morse’s financial support.
In each pairing a wheelchair bowler can play with a partner of their own choosing: friend, spouse, club playing partner, disabled or not. All matches are the best of two sets with a three end tie-break if necessary; two woods each and each set is played over nine ends
Highlights of the early matches saw the Welsh duo of Adrian Foley & Chris Gibson struggle to get points on the board though it soon became clear why. Foley had thought he was over a shoulder injury but he was mistaken and later had to retire from the event. So this fancied pairing would not be in contention for any of the cash prizes on offer. Fellow Welshman Dave Powell and wife Margaret also had a hard time of it and surprisingly only managed one shared set which they achieved in their final match.
Enjoying more success was defending Champion Tony Lloyd who this year partnered club team-mate Ken King but defeat by two sets to nil against father and son Alan & Paul Brown put paid to chances of retaining the title. The Browns, who live within a short distance of the St.Andrews club, had their own perfect record in these early rounds spoilt by defeat to previous winners Mike Diston & Richard Brown. They lost two sets to nil, though what turned out to be the final set in their match was decided by one shot on the last end.
The two undefeated pairings from the round-robin stages met in the Final – the Anglo-Welsh combination of Percy Powell & Kevin Woolmore took on ex-navy buddies and serial-bad-shirt-wearers Mike Diston & Richard Brown. Powell & Woolmore powered to a first set win by 11 shots to 4 shots, scoring shots on all but two ends in the set. But what a contrast in the second set where they only scored a single shot on one end, the first one, and went down 9 shots to 1.
So it was a tie-break to decide the 2009 title. The first and second ends were shared - two days play to decide the winners came down to who could hold their nerve on one single end of bowls. It sounds easy and looks easy from the bank as a spectator but it is so much more difficult in practice with the wood in your hand and about to deliver. Of all the woods delivered on that final of final ends only one would count and that was a toucher by Diston with his second and last wood. It could not be removed or beaten and the closest of finishes was won by Mike Diston & Richard Brown to take the title for a second time. (Incidentally, they were both wearing matching shirts with hot-air balloons printed on them to tie in with the Bristol Hot Air Balloon Event happening over the same weekend.)
Third place went to Paul & Alan Brown. The Plymouth Mayflower Club had pairings in fourth and fifth places, namely Roger Wilton & Eddy Barrett and Howard Dare & Colin Biscombe and defending Champion Tony Lloyd along with new playing partner Ken King had to settle for sixth.
BWBA President, Terry Fitzgerald thanked all those for making event the happen and for working so hard and picked out Ken Uglow for his efforts. Sponsor, John Morse who had visited the Club on the first of the two days added, “I have been so impressed with what I saw over the weekend I am more than happy to announce that I want to sponsor the event again next year.”
PRESIDENT TERRY IS
VERY MERRY IN WEST WICKHAM
BWBA President, Terry Fitzgerald held his first President’s Day at West Wickham BC, Kent. He chose West Wickham as the venue for the day as he had enjoyed considerable success at the Club when he was a member there before moving South some years ago to retire in Sussex. With family in the area he is still a regular in the Club’s bar!
Twelve rinks of bowlers congregated on the day with two aims in mind. Firstly, to enjoy a convivial and competitive afternoon of bowls; and secondly, to learn about the BWBA and having learnt that bit more about the Association to be asked to support the BWBA financially by making a donation.
The three BWBA rinks and the three Wickham rinks were the ‘home’ team. The ‘away’ teams came from London Welsh BA, London Scottish BA, London Irish BA, Croydon & District BA, Royal British Legion BA and the Banks BA. Victory went to the away team and top rink was awarded to the London Irish quartet.
After the match and dinner the assembled bowlers heard all about the BWBA from Terry and BWBA Chairman, Ian Blackmore. Ian explained how the BWBA helps newly disabled bowlers back into the sport by coaching, encouragement and sometimes the use of bowls wheelchairs for hire. He went on to tell them more about the programme of events run by the Association – training weekends, national competitions, matches, coaching – and reminded them that the BWBA which has no central funding. Having listened attentively to their speeches the assembled bowlers gave generously in a plate collection. Along with that collection, a raffle and a separate donation the total raised was over £1,026.
“Everyone was so generous, it is really appreciated. In my experience bowlers are always ready and willing to support a good cause,” said Terry. Half of the funds raised will go into the BWBA Endowment which is its long term savings fund and the other half will be made available to fund the next BWBA Training Weekend.
ONE MORE FOR WOOLMORE IN THE NATIONALS
The
number one ranked wheelchair bowler in the BWBA’s UK rankings, Kevin
Woolmore, has retained his top-spot after successfully defending his singles
crown at the WheelPower National Wheelchair Championships at Stoke
Mandeville IBC.
His passage through the group stages of the event was relatively straightforward with three wins, one of which happened to be against his wife Barbara. Another group winner was Bristol’s Tony Down; a late-comer to bowls at this level but a bowler who is improving all the time. He came through a group which included a previous Champion in John Appleton and the ever reliable Val Bradley from Hull. Appleton was out of form but Bradley’s two good wins would secure her the best runner-up spot and, as a result, a semi-final berth.
The final group was by common consent ‘the group of death’ as it included the current BWBA UK MatchPlay Singles Champion, Paul Brown and two former WheelPower Singles Champions in Percy Powell and George Ridgeon. Ridgeon was celebrating the 25th anniversary of first entering these Championships. The other player in this group was Steve Clarke who would be tested against the other three. Clarke’s first test was against Powell and he almost beat him, but went down to a narrow 19-21 defeat. In the meantime, the heavy-weights in this group all took points of each other to leave them level with all matches played. Paul Brown however went through to the semi-finals by virtue of the best shot average, though there was less than two tenths of a shot in it, phew!
The semi-final line-up saw Tony Down pitched against Kevin Woolmore and Paul Brown playing Val Bradley. There were wins for Brown by 21-8 and Woolmore 21-13 to set up a repeat of the BWBA UK MatchPlay Final held earlier in the year. In that one Brown got the better of Woolmore but it was not to be the same this time and Woolmore retained his title with a 21-14 success. Val Bradley took third place.
In the Pairs Championships Brown had to settle for another runners-up spot with partner John Appleton. After a narrow two shot win on the last end in their semi- final against Dave Walker & Steve Clarke they were set to meet the scratch pair of Val Bradley & Percy Powell who had seen off the Welsh duo of Dave Powell & Kevin Woolmore in their semi by 18-9. The Pairs Final was a rather one-sided affair with Bradley & Powell taking the title with a convincing 26-8 win. Third place went to Dave Walker & Steve Clarke.
NATIONALS 2009
Pairs Results
Semi-Finals
J.Appleton & P.Brown 12
D.Walker & S.Clarke 10
V.Bradley & P.Powell 18
D.Powell & K.Woolmore 9
Final
J.Appleton & P.Brown 8
V.Bradley & P.Powell 26
3rd Place Play-off
D.Walker & S.Clarke 13
D.Powell & K.Woolmore 10
Singles Results
Semi-Finals
T.Down 13
K.Woolmore 21
P.Brown 21
V.Bradley 8
Final
K.Woolmore 21
P.Brown 14
3rd Place
V.Bradley 21
T.Down 9
Great Scot - James Smith, my reflections…
As BWBA Chairman I have lots of what I call ‘good news’ phone calls as part of the role. Hearing from James’ step-dad Peter that he had died suddenly was a ‘bad news’ call, an extremely ‘bad news’ call.
James died in June from a suspected asthma attack after becoming ill during the RockNess music festival in Inverness; he was just 22 years old. James was born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, known more commonly as brittle bone disease, but the condition did not stop him from becoming one of Scotland’s and the UK’s most talented and successful bowlers.
He first came onto the BWBA radar at a National Junior Wheelchair Games in Stoke Mandeville when to the best of my knowledge he was 13 years old. The BWBA coaches were raving about how talented he was. I had not seen him at these first games so had to wait a while before I saw him on the green and in play. The coaches were not wrong. His frail frame and, at the time, small stature belied the bowling talent held within. Even at that age he was good.
Before I go any further, a few words of explanation for readers unfamiliar with wheelchair bowlers and the BWBA. Part of what the Association does is to encourage wheelchair bowlers to aim as high as they want to within the sport. There is no metaphorical patting on the head to say ‘well done’ when a wheelchair bowler has not done well and so it was with James. He was a real bowling talent who happened to be in a wheelchair. I am not wearing my rose tinted specs as I write this – he was very good, very good indeed, forget the wheelchair.
James was invited by Brian Davies, as secretary of the World Indoor Bowls Council, to play in the WIBC under-25 Singles Championship in Belfast in 2002, at the age of 16. Indeed, he beat Safuan Said, who had won medals at that year’s Commonwealth Games – and who went on to win the world outdoor singles title in Christchurch in January, 2008.
Also in 2002, James competed in the South Pacific Invitational event in Sydney, and, a year later, he partnered Scottish fellow wheelchair bowler Ivan Prior to the UK National Wheelchair Pairs Title. He was a longstanding member of the Scottish wheelchair bowls team and helped Scotland win the Home Countries’ International Series in 2004, 2006 and 2007 and had been ear-marked as an important part of the Scottish team for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014
Since he discovered bowls at Stoke Mandeville, James had been all over the world, and was always delighted to meet interesting people along the way. Earlier this year, after gaining a degree in computing at Moray College, he was profiled by BWBA Patron, David Rhys-Jones and James told him, “I loved Australia, which I visited three times. I’ll never forget the people I met, and the experiences I had - but if it wasn’t for bowls I might never have been there.”
James’ funeral was held at St Columba’s Church in Elgin his home town. The Rev George Rollo told mourners it was only the second time in 23 years that he had seen the church so full.
James was universally liked for his open, friendly and laid-back demeanor - along with a very dry sense of humour. Everyone has good memories of James and some great stories too, some of which cannot be printed but have been shared in bars in the past and will be shared in bars in the future. These stories will remember James. He died a young man who was on his way to maturing into a fine man, what a shame we will not see that. I miss him and I know many others do too. My heartfelt condolences to mum Susan, step dad Peter, sister Lauren and to dad Andrew
Remembering…
Since the last edition of Nationwide Bowler four BWBA wheelchair bowlers have passed away. Here are some words to remember those bowlers no longer with us.
Ernie Flanders
Ernie passed away a little while ago. He had not been in good health for sometime and as a result had been unable to come to BWBA events but he had kept up-to-date with BWBA news. Condolences go to his widow Shirley and his family.
Chris Burton
Chris started coming to BWBA events within the past two
years and had quickly made friends. He had had to adjust from being an
able-bodied bowler to bowling from a wheelchair having had a leg amputated.
He had adjusted well and was beginning to show everyone what a good bowler
he was. Sadly, cancer got the better of him on the 2nd April
last. Just before he died his wife Debbie said, “Chris
remains as ever a soldier and has fought it with great dignity but sadly the
cancer is getting the better of him. The Hospice is a marvelous place and
they are looking after all of us at this difficult time.” Condolences go to
Debbie and all the family.
Clive Gulley
Leading Welsh wheelchair bowler, Clive Gulley passed away recently as a result of kidney failure at the age of only 58. A resident of Cardiff, Clive was a member of the BWBA and the Welsh Paraplegic & Tetraplegic Sports Association for over twenty years and for most of that time was a permanent fixture in the Welsh wheelchair bowls team. Bowling internationally at World Wheelchair Championships held in Spain, South Africa and Malaysia, he also represented his country in the Annual Home Countries Bowls Championships over many years. His club bowls was done at Sully IBC, St.Mellons IBC and Newport IBC and was a member of each of those clubs for many years, winning many trophies during his career.
Clive never really recovered from the loss of his beloved wife Carol two years ago. He graced many a Home Countries gathering and not only with his bowling, but as a great source of social entertainment. One very camp song that he sang assumed almost legendary status amongst BWBA members and he performed it repeatedly over the years. He was always amongst the first to volunteer to help when funds were needed to be raised for the Welsh team, or if a fellow team member's wheelchair needed attention. Additionally, many a new recruit to the Welsh team benefited from his coaching experience over the years. In short, Clive was always ready to do a good turn for anybody and was a self effacing, modest, but engaging man. Indeed, it was a measure as to how well he was regarded by the attendance at his burial service, held at the St Peter's Roman Catholic Church, Roath, Cardiff. Many of his extended family were present, (most notably his daughter Claire), together with a great many friends, either connected with the bowls fraternity or otherwise. Clive will be sorely missed by everyone who had the pleasure to know him - not just for his bowling, but more importantly, as one of the nicest people you could care to meet.
Charles (Charlie) Russell
Charlie Russell died just as we went to print with the last edition of Nationwide Bowler having had a short illness. Charlie had many honours in wheelchair bowls some of them are – playing for Scotland in World Wheelchair Championships on more than one occasion; played for Scotland in the Annual Home Countries Bowls Championships over 10 years and on the winning side three times; twice winner of the Aberdeen outdoor singles; and winner of the Redear Outdoor Masters 2006. The most notable of these is arguably winning the Pairs Championship in the World Wheelchair Championships held in Mojacar, Spain 2001. He was part of the unique winning Indo-Scotia pairing along with Chunilal (or ‘Jo Jo’) Jobanputra.
Off the green he was part of the administration of the Scottish Wheelchair Bowls Association and was instrumental in organising the Home Countries Bowls in Scotland at Cumbernauld IBC in 2003 and East Kilbride IBC in 2007.
He had a deep Scottish voice, a keen and dry sense-of-humour and had the ability to make you feel at ease no matter who you were and no matter where you came from. Condolences go to all of Charlie’s family and to Cathy his widow, he will be missed.
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