Eastern Counties League

It is with deep regret that I will be withdrawing Bowls Cambridgeshire from this season's Eastern Counties League. All the clubs have been emailed regarding players to come forward for selection and I have had a disappointingly poor response.

Trevor - Can you please pass on my apologies to all those Clubs that were going to host these games. Hopefully this will give them enough time to find alternative fixtures.

Steve Jacobs - Eastern Counties League Manager

National Championship Qualifiers 2024

We have 2 Qualifying Enters in the following National Championships for 2024 sean - Women’s Singles, 2 Bowl Singles and Junior Singles. We missed the cut in the following Men’s Singles bye 27 entries, Pairs bye 29 entries, Triples bye 14 entries, Fours bye 10 entries, 2 Bowl Singles bye 27 entries, Junior Singles bye 2 entries, Women’s Pairs bye 10 entries, Triples bye 5 entries, Fours bye 1 entry.

2025 Competitions

Bowls Cambridgeshire sent out a questionnaire to the executive,  all the secretaries of our affiliated clubs asking them to forward it to their members and All the players that entered the 2024 competitions. Asking them to return their answers back to us, so our delegates knew how to vote at the BE AGM. Out of the 200 we sent out, we only received 28 replies.

The results can be found on our web page under documents and also you will find on a separate document what was the outcome of the vote at the BE AGM.

Steve Jacobs has been asked by Bowls Cambridgeshire to take over the running of the Men’s Eastern Counties League for this following season.

This League is the next level up from a Friendly game, so players of various levels can play and learn from Experienced players.

Details of the league as follows:

Cambs Uniform - Playing dress - Pale Blue shirt with White Shorts or Trousers If anyone does not have the uniform, please also let us know their size and we will see what we can do to arrange one. Travel Dress if worn & Association dress - White Tops, grey trousers, or shorts.

Games on Saturday Mornings 10.30am start time.

Sat 4th May SUFFOLK, Away at Hadleigh BC

Sat 11th May ESSEX, HOME at Newmarket BC

Sat 18th May HERTFORDSHIRE, Away at Royston BC

Sat 25th May BEDFORDSHIRE, Away at Linslade BC

Sat 29th June NORFOLK, Home at March Town BC

Cambs teams will be picked from all clubs in the county that put their names, contact number, email address forward to play.

I will pick a Team Captain for each game.

These games will not be used as a Trial for the Middleton Cup or Balcomb Trophy or White Rose Trophy.

Please send replies to Steve Jacobs, steven.jacobs2@ntlworld.com, 07311 010115 or to Pam Mead.  I would appreciate all these by Saturday, 6th April 2024.

Regards and best wishes for the coming season.

It is great sadness that we report the death of Celia Sheehan, Celia played for the county for several years. Her funeral will be at 11am Holy Trinity & St Augustine of Canterbury Church, London Road, Baldock SG7 6LQ on Friday 16th February 2024.

GILBERT WHIFFIN - (2nd February 2024)  It is with deep sadness that we have to report the passing of Gilbert Whiffin from Sawston BC, who has passed away, in the Arthur Rank Hospice.

At our AGM on Sunday 3rd December, it was agreed to do away with the Championship finals weekend in July and play all the competitions right through including the final. A rain day would also be included into the program before the final.

The executive talked over where we are planning to hold the finals, and we are contacting the clubs shortly. The dates for the finals are as follows

Friday 31st May Fours Championship Final

Friday 14th June Triples Championship Final

Monday 8th July Pairs Championship Final

Friday 19th July Senior Fours & Junior Pairs Championship Final

Wednesday 31st July Singles & Junior Singles (if no overlap) Championship Final

Sunday 14th July Men's Two Wood Singles Championship including Final

Sunday 28th July Women's Two Wood Singles Championship including Final

KEITH JACKSON - It’s with deep regret to announce the passing of Keith Jackson on 9th November 2023. Keith was a member and green keeper of Littleport Bowls club for many years. He qualified for the national finals at Worthing in the fours (1998) and pairs (2003). He also won the County Singles Champion of Champions in 2002.

AUBREY LEE Passed away on 19th June 2-23. His Funeral will be on Monday 3rd July 2023 the service is at St Mary’s Church Burwell at 12 noon. A family burial to follow, after which a gathering at Bedford Lodge Hotel at Newmarket.

VIC RULE from Sawston BC has passed away. His funeral is at Cambridge Crematorium on Monday 22nd May at 10:30am.

NOBBY NEWBOLD from March Town passed away on 1st February 2023. He was part of a 4s team that won & went to Worthing. His Funeral is at March Crematorium on 22nd March at 15:30pm.

DAVE SMYTHE from Chippenham has passed away. Funeral is on Thursday 23rd February 2023 11.30 Bury crematorium.

ARTHUR BOWERS aged 93 It is with deep regret we report the death of Arthur on the 4th February 2023 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Kings Lynn after a short illness. As a member of Littleport BC he watched both Ellen Falkner & Sue Alexander in many competitions over the years. Funeral at Fenland Crematorium March on Friday 17th March at 14:30pm, and afterwards at March Golf Club.

GEORGE BRACE It is with deep sadness that we have to report the passing of George Brace away last Saturday 21st January following a short Admittance in Hospital. He was a great asset to St Neots club and will be very missed and held various offices. He was a supporter of the county especially on numerous county tours. Funeral details please contact Philip Gatward at St Neots Club.

MEN’S SENIOR & JUNIOR TEAM MANAGERS and WOMEN’S JUNIOR TEAM MANAGERS - Positions - These positions were not filled at the AGM in December 2022.  Since then we have had Scott Walton, Emma Thomlison and Cheryl Salisbury come forward with interest in filling the posts. At the Executive meeting in January 2023, it was agreed that Scott would take on the Jobs as Men’s Senior and Junior team Managers position, Emma and Cheryl would take the Joint Women’s team managers post, for 1 year. - we wish them all the best and please support them.

GILL HALL It is with great sadness that we have to report the death on 28th December 2022, aged 90, Gill Hall played for the County and March Conservative BC for many Years. Her funeral is on 7th February 2023 at 13:45 followed by a private  cremation.

JUNE MOORE It is with great sadness that we report the death on 23rd December 2022 aged 91 at Peterborough Hospital. June Moore  played for the County and March Conservative BC for many Years the funeral was on 23rd January 2023.

Domestic Finals - Dates and times are now sent to Club Secretaries, posted on Facebook and updated on the County Web pages.

CG Gilbert Cup - Monday 18th July - With the Met Office issuing its first red warning for extreme heat, warning of a “potentially very serious situation - risk to life” in parts of England, over Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th July, I have taken the decision to cancel the 2nd round matches of the Gilbert cup which was due to be played on Monday 18th July.
Please can you contact your opponents and try rearrange your match before the end of July.
When you have agreed a new date can you let either myself or Dot know so we can update the County web page.
March Town v Ely Beet
Newmarket v Soham
West Row v St Neots
March GER v Stretham now playing Monday 25th July
Sorry for this but I hope you will understand.

MENS & WOMENS, PAIRS & SINGLES FINALS - Littleport BC
Friday 15th July 6.30pm - Women’s Pairs  Jean Stephens (Newmarket) v Haley Felce (St Neots)
Saturday 16th July 10am -
Men’s Pairs - Jamie Barker (St Neots) v Mark Emery (Newmarket)
Men's Singles - Mack May (St Neots) v Ross Tomlinson (St Neots)
Women’s Singles - Cheryl Salisbury (Littleport) v Linda Churchman (Littleport)

AMY ROSE (Women’s under 31’s) & WHITE ROSE (Men’s under 25’s) both teams lose in their respictive Regional Finals.

WOMENS 2 Wood Singles Result
Hayley Felce (St Neots) 13 v Ginnie Marsh (Littleport) 14 after extra end.

COLLEEN THORNHILL (June 2022) - It is with deep regret to have to announce the passing of Colleen Thornhill. Colleen was County Women’s President in 2004 and a member of Littleport Bowls Club. Funeral Tuesday 5th July 2.30pm March Crematorium Crematorium

WHITE ROSE Result
Cambridgeshire beat Leicester by 14 shots

MENS 2 Wood Singles Result
Alex Fussey (Newmarket Ave) 15 v Adam Barker (St Neots) 14

MIDDLETON CUP Result
Cambridgeshire 114 - Bedfordshire 121

JOHNS TROPHY Result
Cambridgeshire 113 - Northamptonshire 122

ADAM BARKER (St Neots BC), gets Bowls England Junior International Trial.

WOMEN’S 2 WOOD SINGLES

Due to Cambridgeshire being given their Amy Rose game against Essex, this now puts them in the Regional Final which will take place on Sunday 3rd July.

With this in mind we have had to change the date of the Women's 2 wood singles to Sunday 26th June still at Littleport, so it doesn't clash.

We still can take players on the day. Registration before 9.30am and draw to take place at 9.35am

There will be bacon rolls available on the day.

Sorry if this has caused any problems

MENS & LADIES, FOURS & TRIPLES FINALS
Ladies Fours 10am Littleport - Jackie Russell (Abbey) v Sue Alexander (Littleport)
Ladies Triples 1.30pm Littleport - Sue Alexander (Littleport) v Hayley Felce (St Neots)
Due to Scott Walton playing for England in the home Nations and him being in both the Fours and Triples Finals. These 2 finals have been changed.
Men's Fours 6.30pm Littleport Tuesday 21st June - Scott Walton (St Neots) v Richard Catton (Newmarket)
Men's Triples Date TBC - Jamie Stewart (Cambridge & County) v Scott Walton (St Neots)

COUNTY FRIENDLIES & MEL
The Men's County friendly against Suffolk on Tuesday 14th June at Rookery BC and Tuesday 21st June Essex at Silver End BC have been cancelled due to lack of support.

Our next Men’s friendlies game is on Tuesday 12th July against Bedfordshire at Barton Le Clay BC, we currently only have 9 names. If you are interested, please contact Richard P.

Ladies MEL game due to lack of players / support we must withdraw from the league for this season.

Ladies County friendly against Suffolk on Thursday 23rd June at Hadleigh BC, we currently only have 11 players. If you are interested, please contact Sylvia

DAVID FISHER (1st April 2022) - We are very sorry to report the passing of Dave Fisher, was a member of Whittlesey Manor BC and Cambridgeshire Middleton Cup Team Manager.

FREDA MATTHEWS (97) - (February 2022) - It is with deep regret to have to announce the passing of Freda Matthews (Webster), who passed away on 24th February. Freda was a past Women’s County Outdoor President in 1999 & 1981. Winning the County Indoor Fours in 1986-7 and Triples in 1987-8. Funeral Service at Cam Valley Crematorium, Great Chesterford (CB10 1RP) on Thursday 24th March at 3pm. Flowers may be sent c/o H. J. Paintin Ltd, 8 Morley's Place, Sawston, Cambridge, CB22 3TG.

END

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