From 11.30 the players and supporters started to arrive, by 12.30 the vast majority had arrived and the atmosphere and expectation had increased, it was a glorious day and the sun had got it’s hat on.
On Saturday 11 May DBE played Howard Park at Basingstoke. A big thank you to Peter Bench, captain of Howard Park, for making DBE so welcome and for providing Ian Gourlay and David Collins to play for us. The match was played in a fantastic spirit with conditions to match and was enjoyed by all. The facilities at Howard Park in their newly refurbished pavilion were second to none. The green was excellent. All the DBE team would like to give a big thank you to the catering staff for the post match buffet which was superb. All at DBE were made to feel extremely welcome and are looking forward to playing there in the future.
Initially, it was a disappointing turnout for the DBE Maiden Pairs event with 2 teams withdrawing just before the event and another pulling out on the day due to illness.
DBE held the Top Inter Region Tournament Maggy Smith playing for the ‘Margaret Smith Shield’ on 6th April at Gedling IBC, Nottingham. The teams comprised:-
North
Gary Swift (Captain), Steve Angus, Tim Swann, Alastair Domville, Helen Wood & Andrew Bayton.
South
Steve Ireland (Captain), Jonathan Stokes, Dave Fisher, Ray Cross, Mick Belcher & Craig Bowler.
East
Kieran Rollings (Captain), Colin Milner, Dylan Morton, Ryhs Taylor, Chris Gray & Mark Cooper.
West
Khalila Hussain (Captain), Joe Peplow, Keith Haggerwood, Val Groom, Harry Atkin & Colin Wagstaff
It was a good tournament with many very close results but Team East played brilliantly winning all of their matches and finishing with a total score of 15 points.
Team South came second with 7 points, North with 4 points and West with 2.
The format was 2 rinks of triples from each region, playing each of the other regions. 2 points for a win 1 for a draw , bonus points awarded to teams winning on both of their rinks in a session.
A buffet was provided for players, helpers and supporters, following the presentation of trophies.
Disability Bowls England’s first Inter Club Triples has been hailed “A great success”.
The event held at 5 different venues on the same day brought together a huge number of players with disability and has helped clubs appreciate that they have players who may need a little assistance but fully able to compete and be inclusive in a club environment.
Such was the enthusiasm that teams around the country have shown interest in forming leagues to regularly compete with and against players with a disability.
Results at each venue:
Mid Devon IBC:
Gold Medal Honiton IBC: Marian Baxter, Les Crook & Kevin Vernon
Silver Medal Plymouth Life Centre: Steve Hartley, Rowland Crowe & Winston Healey
Mid Devon winners & runners up
Mid Devon teams
Presented by Club Chairman: Brain Wood
Venue organiser: DBE Development Officer for the South, Mo Monkton
Loddon Vale IBC:
Gold Medal North Wilts IBC: Khalila Hussain, Gill Maw & Sue Simmons
Silver Medal Swindon Manor IBC: Jeanette Maisey, Pam Turner & Jean Hamer
Photos by Stephen Dean
Loddon Vale Winners
Loddon Vale Silver Medalists
Presented by Level 2 Coach: Ian Riach
Venue organisers: Nigel Morgan & Ian Riach
Ashford IBC:
Gold Medal Preston IBC: Bob Henstridge, Cliff Ainsworth & Steve Ireland
Silver Medal Ashford IBC: Georgia Tucker, Robin Collick & Paul Stoner-Lewis
Ashford winners Preston IBC
Ashford runners up Ashford IBC
Ashford competitors
Presented by Club President: Cheryll Palmer
Venue organisers: Jackie Vaughan & DBE Ambassador, Shirley Clark
Desborough IBC:
Gold Medal Kettering Lodge IBC: Chris Gray, Adam Lewis & Kieran Rollings
Silver Medal Wellingborough IBC: John Greaves, Pamela Chandler & Peter Chandler
Keiran Rollings, Chris Gray and Adam Lewis
Pamela Chandler, John Greaves and Peter Chandler
Presented by Umpire Jill Nutt
Venue organiser: DBE Ambassador, Sue White
York & Dist. IBC:
Gold Medal Hornsea IBC: Steve Payne, Doreen Padgett & Colin Garner
Silver Medal Leeds IBC: Kevin Page, Keith Collins & Gareth Harwood
Winners Hornsea IBC
Group finalists
Presented by Lee Smith
Venue organiser: DBE Development Officer for the North Region, Lee Smith (DBE)
DBE would like to thank all five clubs hosting this event for their help and support.
The first “Pro-Am” Gala took place at Desborough Indoor Bowling Club on Sunday 17th March amongst its disability members. Partners were drawn randomly on the day and each pair played two games of 1-hour duration with an hour rest between. The cup had been donated by the family of Dave Cotterill, and was presented to the eventual winners, who were Martin Cornwell and Andy Purcell, by Dave’s daughter, Louise. The day went well, with green fees being covered via a donation. Desborough’s President, Mr John Westwood opened proceedings Helpers were on the green to assist with directing play and measuring. Also, assistance with wheelchairs. At the end of the day proceedings were closed by Desborough’s lady President, Dawn Owen. Sue White thanked everyone who played, the helpers, the kitchen and bar staff who remained open all day, the score-keepers, Carol Coe and Graham Carley for making it such a successful event.
DBE held the Top Inter Region Tournament Maggy Smith playing for the ‘Margaret Smith Shield’ on 6th April at Gedling IBC, Nottingham. The teams comprised:-
