Message from the new County Communications Officer

A message from the County Communications Officer (and Junior Section Chairman) Ryan Full:

As you may or may not be aware, Oxfordshire as a County has undergone some changes over the offseason, and that includes the structure and running of the Junior Section.

Firstly, as the County has now unified into one, rather than separate Men’s & Women’s organisations, under the separate umbrella of Bowls Oxfordshire, everything is united as part of a new “Bowls Oxfordshire”.

Seems minimal, yes, but matters a lot in how we as a County are run from a logistical, as well as a political standpoint, which is to progress equally and positively for the betterment of bowlers in Oxfordshire.

That being the case, the new County governing structure is as follows;

Bowls Oxfordshire Executive Committee

Which will be the main governing body for all collective matters, and will be made up of several standard roles, as well as representatives from each of the newly formed specific committees within the County, which are:

Men’s Section

Ladies Section

Mixed Section

Junior Section

Each of these sections will have their own committee made up of several members, depending on size and requirement.

Which brings us, secondly, to our section, which despite Bowls England bringing the age for participation in national competitions to 24, will remain Under 25 for County level, because Junior Homes Counties League is still Under 25, and we hope in time, Bowls England reconsider their decision and revert the national age back to 25.

Our new section, consists of several roles, rather than just one individual running the whole system, which myself and my predecessor, Dave Leighfield, were very much in agreement that it was too much of a task now for just one person. So essentially the duties & responsibility have been shared to ease the burden; a problem is a problem halved, or in this case, split into fifths.

I, myself, have stepped back from the role of Manager, due to family responsibilities, and have in a sense, moved upstairs as the Chairman of the section, essentially making sure everything is running smoothly, and representing and pushing for the best interests of the young bowlers of Oxfordshire at the executive level.

I would like to put on record, what a great pleasure and joy it has been to be Team Manager for the last 2 years, and would like to thank players and their families alike, for all their support and goodwill in an ever growing County to get the balance right.

As well as seeing the team reach the White Rose Regional Finals in 2023, my proudest achievement as manager, I hope, is making our new influx of young bowlers feel a part of the County. 

A special thank you goes to my predecessor Dave Leighfield, and Ladies Manager Zoe Pratley, for their immense support as I navigated an ever growing position.

You will be pleased to know though, that we have a fantastic new manager in, Craig Morphet of Carterton BC, who was my first and only choice to take the position and I’m thrilled he has.

He’s dynamic, ambitious and forward thinking, and like me, being an ex Under 25 player himself (for Wiltshire) has a personal interest in the development of young bowlers within our sport.

Craig will be sharing this email with me, and will of course introduce himself to you in due course.

As well as Craig, Zoe Pratley has stayed in her role as Ladies Manager, and will also be a representative at the executive level.

Dave Leighfield will now officially be Fixtures & Competition Secretary.

And, Jazz Alder is another excellent new addition to the team, being our Welfare Officer.

We feel this is a young, exciting and progressive team, which is exactly what the future of Oxfordshire bowls needs & deserves.

There are a few big changes to competition formats, both internally and at national level, but for now I will let you digest the above changes, and be back to you with the format changes once we are certain on all the details (this off season is filled with a lot of waiting for answers)

I hope you are all wintering well, and I hope to see you all in the spring.

Best regards

Ryan Full

Men's Section Fixtures for 2025

   The fixtures for the Bowls Oxfordshire Men's section have been posted on this website to provide an early opportunity to keep dates free in your diary for matches you wish to express availability for and also to plan holidays around certan fixtures.

  A number of details, particularly away venues have still to be agreed, but full details will be available on the new website in readiness for the 2025 season, when the changeover of sites occurs.

 

   A number of additional updates and confirmation of venues has been loaded onto the new Bowls Oxfordshire website, which is due to go live towards the end of March 2025.  This means that the fixtures displayed on this website are no longer up to date, although the vast majority are correct (even though the full information may not be shown)

Vacancy within the Bowls England Structure

Dear County

 

I am delighted to share with you the link to the Job Description and Application form for the role of Board Member (Member Elected). There are three vacancies in total, 2 resulting from the retirement of Margaret Docherty and Stephen Hemsley, and another which is from a Board Member reaching the end of a three-year term.

Our Vacancies - Bowls England

Further details can be obtained via Alan Scholan

Please can you share this amongst your membership to ensure we can get the best applicants for these crucial roles.

You will note that following consultation we are not requiring a traditional CV and covering letter but have created an application form and offered the opportunity for applicants to send an accompanying video to bring their skills and experience to life.

If you require any further information or support, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards

Vikki

Men's Champion of Champions 2024

  Congratulations to Jim Feeley of Kidlington Bowls Club, who won the County Champion of Champions 2024 at City & County BC on Saturday, 21 September.

Blay Cup 2024

BLAY CUP DAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2024

May I firstly thank everyone who put their name down turning out for the day.  With the number of bowlers entered from  so many clubs in the county, a total of 30, I was thrilled to be able to make it a pairs game for the first time in many years with the help, and I give them special thanks in making the numbers up, our President Ann and Sue Mayo.

The weather was kind for us and turned out sunny and warm. Walking around and watching the games everyone seemed to be having a good time.

It was very interesting to see how the pairs came out and pretty even in matching up.

By lunch time everyone had played two games, one for the Blay Cup and one for the Blay Plate. After lunch it worked out well timewise with the two semi finals and finals left to be played.

My heartfelt congratulations go to:

Blay Cup Winners were Jenny Lynch and Elaine Robinson

Blay Cup Runners-Up were Beryl Fisher and Maureen Osborne

         

......................................................................

 

 

Blay Plate Winners were Wendy Sandy and Denise Cattrell

Blay Plate Runners-Up were Mandy Rodway and Valerie Bindon

        ........................................................................

 

We raised, after deducting food expenses, £262 and a big thank you to Banbury Borough who donated £10 making a total of £272. I also have to thank Watlington Bowls Club for donating a voucher to the value of £10 for the raffle because it was their finals weekend and no one could come along and support us.  A big thank you must go as well as to all those who donated raffle prizes, We raised £123 on the raffle which is included in the total of £272.

I hope as many, or more, will put their names down next year, after all it is for your charity.

National Finals 2024 - How did we do?

Oxfordshire Achievements at the 2024 National Championships
 
HIGHLIGHTS
         
Ladies National Pairs B City & County Lead Kathy Hawes-Watts WINNERS
Ladies National Pairs B City & County Skip Lorraine Kuhler  
         
Ladies National 2 Bowl Singles City & County   Lorraine Kuhler RUNNER UP
         
Ladies National Senior Singles Banbury Central   Caroline Campion RUNNER UP
         
Ladies National Senior Pairs  Banbury Central Lead Carole Gellatly RUNNERS UP
Ladies National Senior Pairs  Banbury Central Skip Caroline Campion  
         
Ladies National Singles B Banbury Central   Caroline Campion SEMI-FINALIST
         
Ladies Champion of Champions Banbury Central   Carole Gellatly SEMI-FINALIST
         
Ladies National Triples A City & County Lead Donna Grant SEMI-FINALISTS
Ladies National Triples A City & County Two Kathy Hawes-Watts  
Ladies National Triples A City & County Skip Lorraine Kuhler  
         
Mens National Senior Fours  Headington Lead Ian Henwood SEMI-FINALISTS
Mens National Senior Fours  Headington Two Paul Comley  
Mens National Senior Fours  Headington Three Ray Gaskins  
Mens National Senior Fours  Headington Skip Howard Watts   
         

 

Domestic Cup Winners 2024

Men's Domestic Cup winners 2024

 

Winner of the Longford Cup 2024 - Phil Gladden (Adderbury BC)

 

 

Winner of the Allison Cup - Matt Osling (Carterton BC)

 

Winner of the Officers Cup 2024 - Mike Jelfs (Adderbury BC)

This is the first year when The Officers Cup began as an "Open" competition.

 

A win - win for the Osling family. Father and son play in the final of the Allison Cup.

On this occasion Matt (the father) beat Gethin (the son)

Finals 2024 -continued

More winners in 2024 Finals:

Jonathan Dadson (Kidlington BC) receiving the trophy from Tony Wright, the OBA Vice President

 

Ladies Triples runners-up: Penny Ford McNicol, Karen Ross & Tracey Smart  (Charlbury BC)

 

Under 25 Finalists : Ronnie Marson (Carterton BC) and Jonathan Dadson (Kidlington BC)

 

 

Ladies Fours runners-up - Laura Pollard, Jodie Flitter, Zoe Pratley& Liz Kemish (Oxford City & County BC)

 

 

Ladies Fours winners: Dawn Hewitt, Helen Young, Carole Galletly & Caroline Campion (Banbury Central BC)

 

Ladies triples winners: Donna Grant, Lorraine Kuhler & Katherine Hawes-Watts (Oxford C & C BC)

 

Under 25 Pairs winners: Joe Justin & Gethin Osling (Carterton BC)

 

Ladies singles winner:  Jazzmin Alder (West Witney BC)

 

Ladies Pairs runners up: Tracey Smart & Cynthia Briant (Charlbury BC)

                  Ladies Pairs winners 2024: Katherine Hawes-Watts & Lorraine Kuhler (Oxford C & C BC),                                          with President Ann Lattimore. 

Ladies singles and Under 25 singles winners from West Witney: Georgina Fuszard & Jazzmin Alder

County Champions 2024

This pictorial guide shows some of the delighted winners of the Oxfordshire finals, prior to representing the county at the National Finals later this month:  In no particular order:

Howard Watts ( Headington BC) - Winner of the Men's 2 Wood singles competition

 

Winners of the men's "Fours" championship - Adderbury BC.

left to right: C Skidmore Jnr, J. Wilkinson, T. Eley & N. Eley

 

County Champions for the men's pairs - P. Sharman & C. Morphett (Carterton BC)

 

County Men's Triples Champions 2024

P.Sharman, J. Justin & C. Morphet ( Carterton BC)

 

 

 

Men's County Finals - 29 July 2024

 

BOL FINALS programme

 

OBA Finals Day 2024

Programme for the County Finals (National Championship qualifiers) 2024

Senior Fours Finals Day 2024

  The first finals took place on Sunday 7 July on behalf of the OBA  

The semi-finals and finals for the Senior Fours competition was held today at Chipping Norton.  The Witney Town team were beaten in the semi-final by a Headington team and the Thame team were beaten by Kidlington in the other semi-final.

The Runners- up in the final were:

 

The Kidlington team (from L to R) : Jim Feeley, Chris Cox, Ray Davis & Paul McGrath

.......................................

                               Congratulations to the Headington team, who will represent the county at the 2024 National Finals at Leamington Spa

Champions -Headington (L to R): Ray Gaskins, Ian Henwood (with the trophy), Howard Watts & Paul Comley

.......................................

This is how it went:

 

More photographs can be found on the Bowls Oxfordshire facebook page

British Isles Silver medals won by Oxfordshire ladies

Donna Grant and Carol Gaskins, representing England in the Ladies Pairs,  were playing in the British Isles Championships on Thursday, 27 June 2024 at leamington Spa. They won the first game against Ireland and lost to Wales in the final of the ladies pairs. A silver medal was a fantastic achievement.

Well done girls.

 

 

National recognition for Joe Justin of Carterton BC

 
Ryan Full, our Under 25's Manager writes:
 
As you all know, our very own Joe Justin had his Under 25s National Trial on Saturday up at Victoria Park BC in Leamington Spa, and after a brilliant display of his talent across both trial games, I am thrilled to say he has been awarded with Reserve place in the England Junior National Squad for the Junior International series in Belfast in September.
Whilst I am sure you will share with me, and all who know of Joe's ability, a sense of disappointment that he's not in the starting line up, it is still a remarkable achievement and may I say long overdue, especially after his first trial, and considering the amount of strength and pedigree at that level, to break into the top 15 Junior bowlers in England on his bowling ability alone, is a massive achievement and I have no doubt, knowing Joe, he will go one better next year! 
Congratulations Joe, you've made all of us, and more importantly yourself, very proud.
,
As well as Joe making a name for himself this weekend in Leamington, we also had Ronnie Marson, Gethin Osling and Kaylem Curley, all representing themselves, their club and the county at the Junior International Development Day on the Sunday (19May), joining Under 18s from all across England in a series of coaching drills and games. All three gave a strong account of their skills and maturity, well done lads!
 
As I keep saying, the future is bright for Oxfordshire Bowls, lets keep supporting our young & new talent, and give them all our support to achieve great things in bowls.
 

OBL League Cup Final 2023

This year’s League Cup final saw defending champions Headington A make it a League and Cup double for the third year in a row, securing a nail-biting victory against close rivals Banbury Central A in a repeat of last year’s final.

Once again hosted under the floodlights at Kidlington, Headington were quickest out of the blocks, opening up a 19 shot lead on the game after just 7 ends. At the halfway stage,Headington remained ahead on 3 of the 4 rinks, with captain Mark Charlett’s four leading the charge.

However, in a game of 2 halves, Central adjusted far better to the floodlights and the changing green conditions, mounting a terrific comeback to push the match to an exciting climax.

With the Central skips of AJ Doherty, Nigel Galletly and Will Campion winning most of the remaining ends, Headington’s comfortable lead started to reduce rapidly.

Thankfully for Headington, Jason King’s four had finished their game early, coming off with a resounding 25-6 victory. However, with Central’s captain Will Campion last to finish and well up on their rink, he was able to kill the final end twice to try and pick up the shots needed.  Like last year’s final though, Will’s strong finish was once again to no avail, as Headington secured victory by 5 shots overall.

Winning captain Mark Charlett commented afterwards, ‘The final was played in great spirit, and was a fitting climax to the League season. I would like to congratulate Banbury Central on a really good comeback and for pushing us so close once again. I would also like to thank my own team for securing the League and Cup double, along with the Hawker Cup. A huge thanks to the League and Cup sponsor Chris Quainton, and to Kidlington Bowls Club for being great hosts and supporters of the competition’.

The League Cupsponsor Chris Quainton presented the trophy to Headington’s Mark Charlett, congratulating both teams for an excellent and exciting final.

Headington A,  70–Banbury Central A,  65: 

Ian Snowdon 14, Nigel Galletly 17; Nathan Lewis 12, Will Campion 29; Mark Charlett 19, AJ Doherty 13; Jason King 25, Keith McNeil 6.

BOL Champion of Champions 2023

2023 Champion of Champions (Ladies)

This was held at Kidlington on Saturday September 9 in very warm conditions!

Fifteen ladies, from the following clubs, took part:

Adderbury – Claudia Stokes

Banbury Borough – Margaret Morris

Banbury Central – Carole Galletly

Blackbird Leys – Emily Baldwin

Carterton – Claire Walker

Charlbury – Cynthia Briant

Chipping Norton – Linda Boyd

Kidlington – Joy Williams

OUP – Beryl Fisher

South Oxford – Jennie Lynch

Watlington – Caroline Auger

West Oxford – Maggie Painton

Witney Mills – Lyn Dunsby

West Witney – Jazzmin Alder

Woodstock – Barbara Burton

Through to the semi-finals were Linda Boyd and Carole Galletly, with Carole running out winner by 15 - 3, and Jennie Lynch and Margaret Morris who had a very tight match, Jennie eventually winning 12 – 9.

The eventual champion was Carole Galletly (15 – 6), the fourth occasion she has held this title.  Congratulations to her!    (see photos below)

Many thanks to Kidlington for hosting the competition (and for providing a delicious lunch), to all those who turned up to mark, and to umpire Paul Comley.

President Pat Ray presenting the Champion of Champions trophy to Carol Galletly ( Banbury Central)

Carol Galletly (winner) with finalist Jenny Lynch (South Oxford)

Hawker Cup 2023

 

Hawker Cup Winners 2023 - Headington A team.

BOL Success at National Finals

Congratulations to our Lady bowlers from Oxfordshire who have achieved magnificent results in the 2023 National Finals at Leamington Spa:

Junior Pairs Semi finalists and losing by just one shot for an extra end to win a place in the final (Georgina Fuszard and Zoe Pratley)

Semi finalists in the Fours (Donna Grant, Carol Gaskins, Katherine Hawes-Watts and Lorraine Kuhler).

Semi finalists in the Triples (Donna Grant, Katherine Hawes-Watts and Lorraine Kuhler).
And after superb bowling National Pairs Winners (Carol Gaskins and Donna Knight) Photo attached
 

OBA Domestic Finals - Sunday 6 August

  Chipping Norton Bowls Club hosted the OBA Domestic Cup semi-finals and finals this weekend, on Sunday 6 August.  

Results were as follows:

    ALLISON CUP - semi-finals 

                                    Matt Osling (Cart)   21        bt       Russell Vircavs (Ban Chest)  17

                                    Dave Pearce-Jones (Cart)  19  lost to  Ian Gilbert (Ban Cent)   21

    LONGFORD CUP - Semi-finals 

                                    Tim Jupp (Cart)    21          bt        Paul Costin (Head)  15

                                    Mick Jelfs (Add)    15     lost to      Othman Shariff (Oxf C&C)  21

    OFFICERS CUP - Semi-final at 10 am:

                                    Richard Morris (Ban Chest)  9  lost to  Brian Bloomfield (Wit T)  21

                                     David Lattimore (C.N)  16   lost to  Roy Radband (Wit T)  21 

 

       FINALS .      Allison Cup

                                     Matt Osling (Cart)   18   lost to  Ian Gilbert (Ban Cent)   21

                           Longford Cup   

                                      Tim Jupp (Cart)   11   lost to   Othman Shariff (Oxf C&C)  21

                           Officers Cup

                                     Brian Bloomfield (Wit T)  21  beat  Roy Radband (Wit T)  13

 

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL the WINNERS