Southport L.V. League 2026

Southport LV Bowls League

Secretaries Report 2024

 

This last season we had 329 registered players, with 252 actually playing in the 17 teams we had playing in our 2 divisions. There are 10 clubs affiliated to the league.

 

The first league competition of the season was the LV Handicap Singles. This competition was sponsored by Gary Burgess. We had 49 entries, 3 down on last season. We played qualifiers at 6 venues to produce the last 8 for the finals day. We held the finals day at Crossens BC, where we were treated to a pleasant venue, with great refreshments and an excellent green.

Last Eight results were -

Paul Crummey (Victoria Park) 10 v Andy Rimmer (Sandbrook Park) 21

Gary Johnson (London Sphynx) 6 v Steve McManus (Scarisbrick NSC) 21

Chris Willan (Scarisbrick NSC) 21 v Richard Pallant (Tarleton) 14

Neil Gregson (Scraisbrick BC) 16 v Colin Moore (London Sphynx) 21

The first semi-final saw Steve McManus defeat Andy Rimmer 21-11. Chris Willan had a harder time in the second semi-final with Colin Moore, Chris eventually winning 21-19. We were then entertained by one of the best finals you could wish to see. Chris & Steve produced some excellent bowls and gave us a thrilling end to a great competition. Unfortunately, somebody had to lose, and Steve just couldn't quite match the consistency of Chris, with Chris running out a 21-10 winner.

So our LV Handicap Singles Champion was Chris Willan.

 

The second league competition was the LV Pairs. This competition was sponsored by Mike Milne. We had 27 entries, the same as last season, playing in the 3 qualifiers. The last 8 finals day was held at Scarisbrick BC on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. The green was in excellent condition and the hospitality was superb.

Last Eight results were -

R.Pallant & A.Cooper (Tarleton) 13v21 S.McManus (SNSC) & D.Edgerley (H.Arms)

P.Wilson & KStafford (London) 21v8 D.Gordon & S.Halliwell (Zetland)

D.Harding (SBC) & C.Willan (SNSC) 21v15 A.Rimmer & G.Gow (Sandbrook)

J.Hobson(Crossen)&G.Burgess(VPBC)w/oH.Chambers(London)&B.Holland(VPBC)

The first semi-final saw Steve McManus & Darren Edgerley defeat Peter Wilson & Keith Stafford 21-7. Danny Harding & Chris Willan won the second semi-final against Janice Hobson & Gary Burgess 21-8. We were then entertained by a superb final. All four players producing some excellent bowls and it gave us a thrilling end to a great competition. Danny & Chris had to give a 3 chalk start, due to Danny been a homester, but this didn't put them off and the flew out of the blocks to lead 10-3. Then Darren & Steve started the fightback to even the score at 10-10. Danny & Chris took control again to lead out 17-11. Steve & Darren were not done though and got back within 2 chalks at 15-17. Danny & Chris held their nerve and finished the game as 21-15 winners.

So our LV Pairs Champions are Danny Harding & Chris Willan.

 

We held our President's Day at Hesketh Arms Bowling Club, on Saturday 1^st June. This was in honour of our President, Michael Milne. This turned out to be a fantastic day, with 32 competitiors battling it out for the Presidents Shield. The green proved to be somewhat tricky on the day and there was some fantastic bowling. We were treated to a beautiful buffet lunch at Churchtown Conservative Club, thanks to the Hesketh Arms committee for organising that. The semi-finals saw Steve McManus(SNSC) narrowly beating Andy Prescott (Zetland) 21-15 and Mike Whiteley(Tarleton) defeating Peter Lee (London) 21-13, this was one of the best games of the day to watch, fantastic bowling. Steve took control of the final from the very first end and it appeared that Mike had used up all his reserves in the semi-final against Peter. Steve running out the eventual winner 21-6. Mike Milne presented the trophies and prizes and said what a great day it had been for himself and Hesketh Arms BC. The league's chairman, Chris Harding, then presented Mike with a commerative glass tankard, to remember his time as the Southport LV Bowls League President.

So our President's Day Champions was Steve McManus.

 

In July, we held the LV Individuals. This competition was sponsored anonomously. We had 36 entries, 6 up on last season, playing in the 4 qualifiers. The last 8 Finasl Day was held at the Tarleton BC, where the green was in superb condition and the sausage rolls were delicious.

The Last 8 results were -

Derek Burns (Tarleton BC) 9 v Mark Wilde (Hesketh Arms) 21

John Bardsley (Sandbrook Park) 10 v Colin Moore (London Sphynx) 21

Andy Prescott (Zetland Hotel) 21 v James Treadwell (Zetland Hotel) 5

Gary Burgess (Victoria Park) 21 v Fergal Wright (Hesketh Arms) 12

The first semi-final saw Colin Moore defeat Mark Wilde 21-20.

The second semi-final saw Andy Prescott beat Gary Burgess 21-15.

We were then entertained by a truly superb final, Colin and Andy produced some of the best bowls you could wish to see. Unfortunately, somebody had to lose, and Colin just couldn't quite match the consistency of Andy. With Andy running out a 21-14 winner.

So our LV Individuals Champion is Andy Prescott.

 

The final league copmpetition was the LV Handicap Pairs. This competition was sponsored anonomously. We had a dissapointing number of entries at just 17, the same as last season. We held 2 qualifiers and the last 8 finals day was held at Fleetwood Hesketh on a lovely Sunday afternoon. The green was in marvellous condition and the hospitality was superb. The Last 8 results were -

A.Woods & D.Grundy (Tarleton) 18 v 21 C.Harding & M.Milne (Hesketh Arms)

G.Burgess & P.Crummey (VPBC) 21 v 00 R.Foulkes & T.Wakefield (Fl.Hesketh)

M.Whiteley & D.Burns (Tarleton) 21 v 09 D.Banks & M.Kidman (Tarleton)

H.Chambers & P.Rimmer (London) 21 v 08 E.Burgess & J.Eustace (VPBC)

 

The first semi-final saw Gary Burgess & Paul Crummey narrowly defeat Chris Harding & Mike Milne 21-16, in a very tightly contested match. In the second semi-final Mike Whiteley & Derek Burns used there +6 start to great effect and dominated the match from the first end, beating Hughie Chambers & Peter Rimmer 21-09.

We were then entertained by exceptional bowling from Mike & Derek, who again used there +6 start to great effect. Mike lead brilliantly with the block and Derek turned up the heat with some great bowls at the back. They never gave Gary & Paul a chance to get into the game and ran out 21-08 winners.

So our LV Handicap Pairs Champions areMike Whiteley and Derel Burns.

 

The first Division was won by Tarleton BC, winning 9 of there 14 matches. They were pushed all the way by Scarisbrick BC 'B', who finished just 10 points Behind Tarleton.

Mark Pennington was the best player in the division, winning 12 out of his 13 games and taking the Merit Award. The Merit award was sponsored by Fleetwood Hesketh BC.

The top two also battled ot out for the Divisional Cup, with Tarleton BC coming out as champions by just 20 chalks.

Congratulations to Tarleton BC on doing the double in the First Division.

 

In the Premier Division, it was Scarisbrick NSC 'A' that led the way again. Winning both the Division and the Divisional Cup. They won 13 out of their 16 matchs. Beating Hesketh Arms Eagles into second place by 35 points. The Premier Division was sponsored by Hesketh Arms BC.

Scarisbrick NSC's best player was Alistair Adams again, winning 13 out of his 15 games. This was enough to secure Alistair the Divisional Merit Award. The Merit award was sponsored by Fleetwood Hesketh BC.

Scarisbrick NSC 'A' faced a depleted Victoria Park Raiders side in the final of the Divisional Cup and easily won the match by 76 chalks, winning all bar two of the games on the night. The Divisional Cup was sponsored anonomously.

Congratulations to Scarisbrick NSC 'A' on doing the double in the Premier Division.

 

I would just like to say what another great season it has been for the Southport LV Bowls League this year. Yet again, we have succesfully run two divisions within the league, two singles competitions, two pairs competitions, a presidents day and two divisional team knockouts. I would like to thank all the members for their support and all the sponsors with their help in providing medals for the cup competitions, the divison winners and the divisional cup winners. I hope you have enjoyed the league as much as I have. Here's looking forward to another great season next year.

 

Gary Burgess

League Secretary