Francis Burton Trophy v Lincolnshire 4/5/2024
The first Midland Counties game took place in better conditions than expected with sunny intervals brightening up an excellent start to the season for the MCBA fixture versus Lincolnshire. The result was encouraging with a 152 shots to 91 shots victory, gaining 18 points to 4 against. As a result Derbyshire were top of the table (no other teams played!). From midway through the game the home side were in control with three rinks doing very well winning by 24 shots 12 shots and 28 shots respectively. In addition Rink 1 came from 10 shots down to win by 3 overall. Both rinks that were on the receiving end of some bad luck nevertheless kept their losing margins to low single figures. Well done to all who took part - a well deserved victory.
2024 Outdoor Season Junior News
Bowls England have announced players for International trials and the Junior Performance Day and I am delighted to advise that Ben Bywater (current under 25 international) will again trial for the Junior Team. After a good performance last year James Bowley will be looked at again in the performance skills day. The trials and performance day will take place in May at Royal Leamington Spa. Derbyshire have got 7 entries in the under 25 singles this season and so we so have guaranteed two qualifiers to Leamington. Commiserations to our senior trial nominations, just prove them wrong again this year.
Bowls Drive and first MCBA game
Anyone interested in playing from the county squad should arrive by 6:15pm on Friday 3rd
of May at Long Eaton Town. Players will be drawn out randomly into rinks to play.
The county team for the first MCBA game has been selected and is now published online.
Match fee = £5. Players to arrive by 1:30pm for a 2pm start.
Good luck all – let’s start the season strong on Saturday 4th May.
(Selection Committee)
2024 Competition Draw
Please note that due to a typing error that the Quarter Final of the U25 Singles should be played on or before the 19th. June - the website competition draw has been amended.
The draw is now on the website with dates for rounds to be played on (or by). Contact Competition Secretary Dan Smith with any questions. Note that all semi-finals will take place at the green of choice of the 'top' named player in the draw. All cards from each round to be retained for the Competition Secretary or teams to be named in the first round played if results are reported by text/email to Dan.
PLAYER AVAILABILITY
Please fill in the following form if you are interested in playing county bowls.
Scan the QR code, click on the image or copy the url below.
https://forms.office.com/r/T1cvyTPPTp
Many thanks,
Selection Committee
Fixtures 2024
The fixtures for 2024 have been updated as best we can at this time. It has been the most difficult year yet to arrange games to avoid clashes with the Federation so that Derbyshire players can, if they wish, play either code. We have had to move the Lincolnshire FBT game to the 4th. May as the expected date in late July clashes with Lincolnshire's Finals Day. We have withdrawn the White Rose U25 Double rink as if we were successful there are clashes with EBF fixtures including Skegness week - we did not want to win a game and then withdraw - it would not have been fair on Durham. In addition please note that the semi-finals of competitions will not automatically be at Long Eaton Town. As with other rounds in the competitions the venue will depend on which team/individual is at the top of the draw. HB - 12/12/23
2023 Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting was held on Tuesday 28th. November at Erewash Bowls Club. The meeting commenced at 7.00 p.m.
There were a number of officer positions to be filled. In particular the roles of COUNTY SECRETARY, Junior and Senior Vice President and potentially other posts to spread the work load that at present sits with too few individuals. Anyone interested in putting themselves forward to any position is welcome to contact Harry Bowles (County Administrator) or any other Executive member. Any help offered will be greatly appreciated.
Junior International (Sept 16/17th 2023)
Derbyshire would like wish Ben Bywater all best making is junior international debut this weekend at Llandrindod Wells. Ben is part of a 24 (12 men and 12 women) Bowls England squad led by Stuart Thomas.
Players Appearances at the close of the 2023 Season have been updated.
Competition Winners & Runners Up in the County History Tab also updated. Winners represent Derbyshire at the National Finals @ Leamington
2023 Winners representing Derbyshire at Leamington
Fours : Phil Broughton, Dan Thornhill, Josh Grant, Gary Shepperson
Trips : Phil Broughton, Dan Thornhill, Josh Grant (sub A. Clipston)
Pairs : Kevin Elliott, Ray Taylor
4 Wood Singles : Ben Bywater
2 Wood Singles : Conor Borrett
Junior Singles : Ben Bywater
Junior Pairs : Ben Bywater, Josh Smith (sub Josh Starbuck)
Senior Fours : Colin Abbott, Gary Watts, Nigel Chaplin, Bernie Greenough
Finals Schedule July 19th. - 22nd. 2024
To be determined
Middleton and Balcomb news 2023/2024
Our Middleton side, with several players playing their first Middleton game, competed well at the weekend. We managed to win on two rinks and only just lose on another two losing the game by 14 shots. Ourselves and Northumberland have a dead rubber last game so we have mutually agreed to cancel the game on the 8th July.
We've more positive news to report in the Balcomb trophy where Derbyshire secured their place at the Regional finals over the weekend. Both rinks were behind at some point in the game but both kept going and secured rink wins. Broughton won 19-15, Thornhill won 21-17.
The details for the Regional finals are that players are requested to arrive by 09:30am with play commencing at 10:00. The second game starts at 2:00pm
The address of the club is Ashton Lane, York, YO24 4HX but use YO24 4DF in Sat Nav. (WhatThreeWords = solved.swim.author). The entrance to Ashton Lane is off Holgate Road, next to a bus stop on SOUTH side of road, opposite The Fox pub. The best place to park is in their car park but this is restricted to 30 vehicles.
York Railway Bowls and Social Club will be offering Bacon and Sausage Butties (Veggie sausage version available) from 08.30 until 10.15. Tea/Coffee/Cakes etc/Sandwiches will be available to purchase from 11.00 and will be available to 2.30. Their bar will be open from 12.00 and has the usual range of soft and alcoholic drinks and crisps/nuts.
Middleton games in 2024 are:-
June 1st. v Lincolnshire (Away); June 15th. v Lancashire (Home) and July 6th. v Northumberland (Away) - Regional Finals - July 20th.
Balcomb Trophy 2024 :-
May 19th. v Lincolnshire (Away) Regional Finals - June 23rd.
Middleton result and selection policies going forward with the current committee
A great effort was made to overcome a strong Lincolnshire side in 2023 and despite being game level after 17 ends with a chance of collecting 20 points we came away with only 2 points. We now had to win our last two games and hope other results go our way.
The selectors would like to make the following agreed policies known for future to give clarity to everyone.
MCBA
Any affiliated player can play to gain county experience.
Middleton
To remain competitive for a small county no MCBA playing requirements are needed. Players can be selected on recent competitive form alone.
Balcomb
Good commitment must be shown to the last two previous years Middleton games. Considerations will be given for dead rubbers or exceptional circumstances.
International Trials 2024
These will take place over the weekend of the 18th./19th. May 2024. The main events for Juniors and Seniors will be on the 18th, which with our Balcomb game v Lincolnshire being scheduled for the 19th. May is a relief to our 'interested' players.
Executive Meeting May 2023
An Executive Meeting was called to discuss the selection of teams and the following selection panel was appointed at the Executive Meeting. Mike Bowley (who was elected at the 2022 AGM to fulfil that role) Bernie Greenough and Dan Thornhill. Both these have been acting to help selection since a February Meeting. Teams will be picked by the committee for 2023 with no Team Manager.
JUNIORS
Sadly we've only managed to get 7 players available for the White rose game so we have had to cancelled this game. We hope our junior players will make themselves available for MCBA league or county executive friendlies games this season. We now have a squad of 9 players so we hope to enter again next year with the squads approval and a free date.
FACEBOOK GROUP
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