Southport LV Bowls League
Secretaries Report 2025
This last season we had 347 registered players, with 255 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 31 entries, 18 down on last season. We played qualifiers at 4 venues to produce the last 8 for the finals day. We held the finals day at Scarisbrick BC, where we were treated to a great venue, with great hospitality and an excellent tricky green.
Last Eight results were -
Steve McManus (Scarisbrick NSC) 21 v Alicia Woods (Tareleton BC) 15
Gary Burgess (Victoria Park) 21 v Danny Harding (Scarisrick BC) 18
Richard Pallant (Tarleton BC) 8 v Alistair Adams (Scarisbrick BC) 21
Mike Whiteley (Tarleton BC) 19 v Alan Woods (Tarleton BC) 21
The first semi-final saw Steve McManus defeat Gary Burgess 21-16. Alistair Adams won the second semi-final against Alan Woods 21-14. We were then entertained by a great final. Both players producing some excellent bowls and giving us an exciting end to a great competition. Unfortunately, somebody had to lose, and Steve just managed to master the tricky green little bit better than Ali. Steve running out a 21-16 winner.
So our 2025 LV Handicap Singles Champion was Steve McManus.
The second league competition was the LV Pairs. This competition was sponsored by Hesketh Arms BC. We had 26 entries, just 1 down on last season, playing in the 4 qualifiers. The last 8 finals day was held at Hesketh Arms BC on a lovely Sunday afternoon. The green was in good condition and the hospitality was great.
Last Eight results were -
D.Riley & Ali Adams (SBC) 21 v 19 R.Atkinson & W.Neale (SNSC)
M.Holmes & R.Noren (SBC) 17 v 21 C.Moore & J.Greenwood (London)
H.Chambers & P.Rimmer (London) 16 v 21 K.Adams & M.Milne (Hesketh Arms)
D.Harding & C.Willan (SBC) 21 v 6 J.Pilkington & Susan Fisher (Tarleton BC)
The first semi-final saw Colin Moore & John Greenwood defeat Darren Riley & Alistair Adams 21-10. Defending Champions, Danny Harding & Chris Willan won the second semi-final against Kerrin Adams & Mike Milne 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. Colin & John started the final in great style, picking up two maximum's in the first eight ends to lead 12-5. Then Dann & Chris started the fightback to even the score at 13-13. Colin & John picked up a 3 at the next end, but that was the shock that Danny & Chris needed to boost they're efforts. Danny & Chris held their nerve and finished the game as 21-18 winners.
So our LV Pairs Champions, for the 2nd year running, are Danny Harding & Chris Willan.
We held our President's Day at London Sphynx Bowling Club, on Sunday 6th July. This was in honour of our President, Gary Johnson. 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 lovely buffet lunch in the tennis pavillion, thanks to Gary's daughter for organising that. The first semi-final saw Peter Wilson (London) narrowly beating Colin Edge (Fl.Hesketh) 21-19, this was one of the best games of the day, absolutely fantastic bowling. Mike Milne (Hesketh Arms) won the second semi-final against Matt Kershaw (London) 21-13. Mike took control of the final from the very begining and it appeared that Peter had used up all his reserves in his semi-final against Colin. Mike running out the eventual winner 21-9. Gary Johnson presented the trophies and said what a great day it had been for and thanked everyone for coming along. The league's secretary, Gary Burgess, then presented Gary with a commerative glass tankard, to remember his time as the Southport LV Bowls League President.
So our 2025 President's Day Champions was Mike Milne.
In July, we held the LV Individuals. This competition was sponsored by Blue Maden from Scarisbrick BC. We had 28 entries, 8 down on last season, playing in the 4 qualifiers. The last 8 Finals Day was held at the Victoria Park BC, where the green was in superb condition.
The Last 8 results were -
John Greenwood (London Sphynx) 15 v Colin Edge (Fleetwood Hesketh) 21
Nick Aindow (Sandbrook Park) 21 v Andy Prescott (Zetland Hotel) 15
Andy Bradley (Fleetwood Hesketh) 21 v Peter Lee (London Sphynx) 12
Chris Willan (Scarisbrick BC) 21 v Alec Rimmer (Scarisbrick BC) 11
The first semi-final saw Colin Edge defeat Nick Aindow 21-19.
The second semi-final saw Andy Bradley lose 21-16 to Chris Willan.
We were then entertained by a truly superb final, Colin and Chris 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 Chris. With Chris running out a 21-16 winner.
So our 2025 LV Individuals Champion is Christopher Willan.
The final league competition was the LV Handicap Pairs. This competition was sponsored by Fleetwood Hesketh BC. We had 32 entries, 15 up on last season. We held 4 qualifiers and the last 8 finals day was held at Fleetwood Hesketh on a fantastic Sunday afternoon. The green was tricky and the hospitality was superb. The Last 8 results were -
A.Woods & D.Grundy (Tarleton) 14 v 21 C.Hankin & P.Wilson (London)
G.Burgess & P.Crummey (VPBC) 17 v 21 D.Mason & W.Peet (Zetland)
M.Whiteley & D.Burns (Tarleton) 04 v 21 C. & L.Edge (Fleetwood Hesketh)
C. & S.McManus (SNSC) 21 v 10 D.Herold & C.McGenity (VPBC)
The first semi-final saw Carl Hankin & Peter Wilson defeat Dave Mason & Will Peet 21-11, in a very good match. In the second semi-final Chrissy & Steve McManus dominated the match from the start, beating Colin & Lynda Edge 21-06.
We were then entertained by some exceptional bowling from both pairs in the final. Chrissy & Steve took the early lead at 8-1, before Carl & Peter started their fight back, getting to 10-11. a quick 2 & 3 followed for Chrissy & Steve, leading out at 16-11. Carl took the block then and Carl & Peter won the next 5 ends to lead 19-16. Chrissy & Steve took a 3 on the penultimate end, but it wasn't quite enough to stop Carl & Peter, who won the last end when it was 20-20, to take the title
So our LV Handicap Pairs Champions are Carl Hankin and Peter Wilson.
The first Division was won by Fleetwood Hesketh 'A', winning 9 of there 14 matches. The runners-up were Scarisbrick NSC 'B', who finished just 31 points behind Fleetwood Hesketh 'A'.
Congratulations to Fleetwood Hesketh 'A' on winning the First Division.
Dave Stringfellow was the best player in the division, winning 13 out of his 14 games and taking the First Division Merit Award.
Scarisbrick NSC 'B' also competed for the Divisional Cup, playing against Sandbrook Park. This was a tough match that went right down to the wire, with Scarisbrick NSC 'B' coming out as champions by just 9 chalks.
Congratulations to Scarisbrick NSC 'B' on winning the First Division Cup.
We also held a First Division Mini-League this season. The final of this was played between Scarisbrick NSC 'B' and Fleetwood Hesketh 'B'. Scarisbrick NSC 'B' dominated from the start and just kept the pressure on throughout the match, coming out eventual winners by 63 chalks.
Congratulations to Scarisbrick NSC 'B' on winning the First Division Mini-League
In the Premier Division, it was Scarisbrick NSC 'A' that led the way again. Winning both the Division and the Divisional Cup. They were unbeaten in the league, winning all of their 16 matchs. Beating Scarisbrick BC 'A' into second place by 27 points.
Scarisbrick NSC 'A' faced a depleted Tarleton BC side in the final of the Divisional Cup and easily won the match by 50 chalks, winning all bar two of the games on the night.
Congratulations to Scarisbrick NSC 'A' on doing the double in the Premier Division.
The Divisional Merit Award was won by Alistair Adams again, winning all 16 of his games fo Scarisbrick BC 'A'.
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, two divisional team knockouts and a First Division Mini-League. 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. 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