A lovely lady that made many friends whilst participating in her favorite pastime of Crown Green Bowls across the north Manchester area.

This is even more remarkable when you consider that there are not many that have not been beaten by her over the years; she just happened to be exceptional at the sport but always retaining a very friendly manner. She smiled when she thrashed you!

I regularly saw that smile and I will miss it. Whenever I watched her bowl at PBC I always felt sorry for the victim as the game started. She was awesome!

God Bless Jean.

All at PCTBC

Brian Lorenzini
CHAIRMAN

So it proved as John Dawes hit the ground running against Graham Harrison, plonking two near the jack first end. Graham got straight in but three more from John took him further clear. A single from Graham was met with an eight break from John to take a commanding 13-2 lead. Graham then got in and won five of the next six chalks. Unfortunately, John won all six of the next six chalks to lie game. Graham could only muster a single point before John killed it off. GH 8 JD 21

What can I say about Friday skipper’s performance? Probably the best I’ve seen Dave Bellis bowl. John Thomas won the first end then was treated to an exhibition as Dave wrapped them round the block for a fourteen break with five twos. John replied with a crafted six break of his own but would only score four more before Dave closed the game out with another 3 twos. DB 21 JT 11

Steve Blaymire was up against it from the off as Peter Lee put in a solid start to lead 8-0. A couple of four breaks from Steve saw him pull back to 8-11 down, but a greater level of accuracy and scaring Steve with his legs saw Peter home comfortably. SB 13 PL 21

Dave Palmer set off as he usually has this season with a two. Then another. Andy Smithies didn’t stand for it though and rallied well to take the lead 11-9. Big mistake. Next time he led the block he was 12-18 behind as Dave had stood them all over the block again. Andy had slightly the better (5-3) of the closing exchanges as Dave came off a worthy winner DP 21 AS 16

Captain Stuart Cameron closed out the first half in a game that would see Chad invoicing him for ink. A titanic tussle with Stewart Taylor saw the lead change a few times before Stewart edged clear. A fightback from Stuart was rebuffed by a five break to see him 17-11 down. He immediately replied with five of his own. “Uncle” Ted Birtwistle said at allbut 18 down Stu would win and he duly did, bowling an iron bowl to win the block back before two solid woods to close the game out. SC 21 ST 20

First up in the second half and half way through before the Camarathon finish, Dean Richardson found himself in a proper tussle with Black Lane stalwart Tony Guite. The game was level four times before Tony edged clear. Try as he might, Dean couldn’t completely reel in the seasoned campaigner as he was eventually overcome by a barrage of singles. DR 16 TG 21

On at seven was Colin Palmer against Mark Dawes. Mark had the best of the opening ends, winning all three of them with singles. Colin’s regained confidence saw him take the game to Mark and the Allens Green lad had no response to Colin bowling brilliantly. A run of six doubles in an eight end break saw him go 14-3 up. That soon became 18-5 and a couple of singles from Mark was all that he could muster before Colin got the drinks in. CP 21 MD 7

Block 8 saw Chad Sproston taking on the visiting captain Don Fletcher. Opening exchanges saw it 4-4 before Don pushed clear by five. Chad battled back to one behind before Don opened up a 7 chalk lead at 15-8. Again, Chad gave his all to get back in it and a six break saw him one behind at 16-17, only for Don to run out. CS 16 DF 21

Father Hilton took to the green at block nine and faced Mr Farrington – Geoff v Geoff was on! Unfortunately for Allens Green, Geoff v Geoff was over as a competition after 10 ends as our Geoff had bowled excellently to take a 15-2 lead. The card suggests that he eased off a little as they level pegged through to the end with Geoff H running out a comfy winner. GH 21 GF 10

Last match on, 3 hours after the rest saw me taking on Denzil Taylor. Two braces for me flattered to deceive as I proceeded to lose a length and from 4-1 up soon found myself 12-5 down. We pegged each other back as the score reached 17-9. Den would only take one of the next 9 chalks won, though, leaving me one chalk behind before winning end 27 for him to lie 19-17 up. Three singles in reply saw me take the lead for the first time in 40 minutes at 20-19. Den then got back in as I bowled short only for me to edge home. MP 21 DT 20

Six winners to four and a slender 11 chalk win reasonably summed the game up; a close but deserved win for the homesters.

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Bowling section member Phil Bradley took a weekend off from his cricket umpiring duties over FA Cup Final weekend and for the second season in succession he was invited to the Wembley, which this year of course featured Manchester City, to receive the FA’s National Respect and Fair Play Award for semi-professional football in this country.

He is Secretary of the Northern Premier Football League (also known as the Evo-Stik League) and was the power behind the League’s efforts to improve club discipline.

The League reduced dissent from players by 12% and Technical Area dismissals of managers was down by by almost 50%. Watford, Rochdale and Crewe Alexandra won their respective Divisions in the Football League whilst the Premiership award remained undecided at the time of the Final.

Phil narrowly missed out on a double as he finished runner up in the prestigious Bobby Moore Memorial Individual Award but gained some compensation when he was named as the FA’s sole nomination for a UEFA Fair Play award.

The photo shows Phil being presented with the award by Sir Trevor Brooking with FA Chairman David Bernstein looking on.

Steve Blaymire faced a steady block in Bill Hamson and so it proved. After four ends, Steve had crafted a 4-0 lead. The next six ends were shared with the scores moving to 8-4. Bill got two chalks back before Steve hit a mark that saw him take ten of the next thirteen chalks to go 18-9 up. A sprited fightback from Bill saw him rack up a five break before Steve closed out the game. SB 21 WH 14

A battle of the captains saw Stuart Cameron face my old billiards team mate Don Black. Stuart got off to a slow start, losing seven of the first eight ends. Fortunately for Stuart, he managed to restrict Don to singles throughout. Getting in with a two seemed like a change of gear for Stuart but it wasn’t to be and three more from Don put pressure on skip at 10-3 down and struggling. He then hit a length and a six break to get right back in it. Another six saw Stuart go 16-12 up from which he managed to hold Don off sufficiently. SC 21 DB 15

Third up was Dave Palmer against the seasoned campaigner John Raffo. Dave’s been on form this season but was matched in the early exchanges and it was nip and tuck until Dave upped it a couple of gears to put in a quick eight break to go 18-9 up. One from John followed two from Dave, which left John in his own words holding back the tide. He made a decent fist of it too, clawing five back before finally succumbing. DP 21 JR 15

Dean Richardson got a flying start against Ron Goldie, bowling well to take a 9-3 lead. That was soon extended to 12-6 then 15-8. At that point, Dean decided to take a break from bowling, letting Ron score 4 pairs on the bounce to lose the lead. Dean responded well though, taking the lead back at the next end. Ron replied to draw level before Deano closed the game out in only two further ends. DR 21 RG 17

Last up in the first half was Dave Bellis against Ian Thompson. A slow, sure start from both players saw mat-carrying duties shared as they made their way to 8-8 after 12 ends. Two more from Dave was countered by 3 from Ian before Dave put in an excellent 8 break to go 18-11 up. Two singles from Ian were again met with a reply, this time sufficient to take Dave over the line. DB 21 IT 13

So, a clean sweep of the first half, with a handsome aggregate lead built up too.

On at six was Graham Harrison against the irrepressible (H)adge Tress. Things looked to be going the same way asthe other games after 5 ends, being as it was 3-3. ‘adge had other ideas, though, winning eight of the next nine ends to surge into a 13-4 lead. Graham’s getting used to the green now, so a reply to draw level was great to see. Three more from ‘adge put him back clear but he’d only score one more as Graham hit a length and pushed for home. GH 21 HT 17

Game seven saw Chad Sproston taking on Terry Porter. From 3-1 down after 3 ends, Chad put on an exhibition, racking up a 17 break and killing the game off as a contest. Terry had a short un back that had been hit and put it on the block, unsettling Chad in the process. Two singles from Chad saw him lie allbut-six before Terry scored his third trio of the night only to see Chad close the game out at the next end. CS 21 TP 9

At eight was the first of our two unbeaten players, Colin Palmer, facing Phillip Porter. After ten ends, it was looking like Porter senior’s card, albeit in the visitor’s favour, being 12-3 up. Colin rallied well, though, clawing the game back to 10-13. Unfortunately it would prove to be Colin’s penultimate point as he was left to lick his wounds. CP 11 PP 21

Would block 9′s unbeaten run end against Phillip’s brother Dominic? Not if Geoff Hilton had anything to do with it and he certainly did. Another steady performance from Geoff saw him not carry the mat for more than two ends on the trot, scoring heavily on the twos front (7 of em), while mostly restricting Dominic to singles to run out a comfortable winner GH 21 DP 12

Last on was the vice captain Mark Prosser against Joe Airey. Having arrived late, it was no surprise that I went two down at the first end, but the rot was soon stopped with a seven break. Joe fought back and matched the scoring to take it to 10-5 before a six break pushed me well clear. Three touchers at the next end saw Joe take two by nudging mine off the block, scoring three more in the break but only one more in the game as a mini tour of the green sealed Joe’s fate. MP 21 JA 11

Final score Prestwich BC A 12 (200) Church Institute A 1.5 (144)

Prestwich BC A (8) Prestwich Cons B (40)

Venue: Hollinhurst
Weather: Sunny but not warm
Green: Lush, heavy, good condition

Dave Palmer 21 Terry Newnes 7 – Awesome bowling from Palmer senior, free for the shackles of paternal instinct worrying about Palmer junior. Dave strode out to a 6-2 lead, which went along to 10-7 with both players bowling well. Dave upped a gear to stand two within a foot on nearly full corners and didn’t look back, running out in style.

Steve Blaymire 21 Frank Smith 9 – A worrying first end for Steve going two down but it only proved a minor setback. Steve went in front and never lost the lead again despite being pegged back a few times. Like Dave, he finally upped it a notch with an 11 break to run out from 10-9 in front

Dave Bellis 21 Eric Taylor 10 – Another pairing following a similar theme. Two down first end, took the lead and didn’t lose it. Eric made the mistake of having a chat with Steve Blaymire part way through; the walking rulebook shock Eric’s concentration and from 10-6 up, Dave pushed on to 16-6. Eric grabbed a brace before another four from Dave saw him nearly home. Two uncharacteristic no balls from Mr Bellis gifted Eric another brace before Dave made amends to get home.

35 chalks back from the first three games off. Handicap wiped out. Was that the easy or the hard bit though?

Geoff Hilton 21 Roland Barnacott 16 – Geoff drew the perennial old-stage Roland, who it’s a pleasure to have as a team mate (albeit nearly 10 years ago now!). In the words of yorkie, this game truly was a pleasure to watch. Both players played excellently, with neither conceding more than three ends in a row. After getting to ten ends level at six across Geoff pushed ahead, only to be pegged back again and again. Overall, though, Geoff had the better of the exchanges in the latter stages, taking two or three chalks at a time to Roland’s one. Never one to go down without a fight, Barney took three chalks at 20-13 down to bring an excellent game to a close.

Trevor Williams 16 Arthur Yardley 21 – Another good battle this one and a longun at 32 ends. There was never more than four in the game all the way through and the lead changed five times before Arthur finally got a hold of the game in the second half. Both players won 16 ends but the five pairs for Arthur saw him home.

So, at the break it was as you were two games earlier with a 3 point advantage to Prestwich BC A at half time.

Gareth Martin 21 Dave Colbourne 8 – match 6 saw a lad lacking confidence take on one of the more experienced bowlers at the Cons. From the ends I saw, the score clearing reflecting it, there was no confidence lacking last night. End after end of solid leading saw Gareth put two seven breaks in to get to 10-2 up and 17-4 up. He then matched Dave end for end to run out a comfortable winner.

16 clear, four games left….

Peter Robinson 14 Brian Seel 21 – Welcome to the first team Peter. Obviously wary of Peter’s unknown ability (he’d bowled a while ago and was getting back into it) I didn’t know how this would turn out. Early wariness was allayed as he looked to be bowling with confidence and was leading 7-6 when I went on. This was the start of a nine break that took him to 14-6 in front. Only Peter or Brian knows what happened next as either Peter collapsed or Brian went up two gears as Peter failed to score again.

9 clear, three games left….

Stuart Cameron 21 Rick Kellett 5 – Cometh the hour, cometh the captain. Captain’s innings required and duly delivered. The five-end checks went 8-1, 14-3, 19-5 and that was it. Two more ends as eight twos to one took PBC A 25 clear with two games left….

Chad Sproston 11 Ronnie Brundrett 21 – A returning Chad set off well enough, wrapping them on a mark across the crown to drag out a 9-2 lead after eight ends. Ronnie wasn’t for giving up though and got in with a two before launching Chad in the corners to push ahead 13-9. Chad then got in with two of his own but by his own admission his lack of practice was showing as Ronnie grabbed the block back and lumped him back into the corners for a game-finishing eight-break. Chad didn’t declare that it was the worst he’d ever played. We now have a happy Chad on our hands and sunny weather round the corner. Like a beaten United, the next game he plays won’t take long.

PBC A 15 clear with one game left.

Mark Prosser 21 Roland Eaton 12 – Saving the best till last, Cons put Roland Eaton on at number ten against our vice-captain. After a solid couple of ends, the game descended into a furthest away competition which I was happy to be losing. After ten ends, I’d struggled to a 12-3 lead without either of us bowling well. Roland then responded, pulling the game back to 12-14 behind. Turns out I’m made of sterner stuff these days as I started to get them near, running out with a classy 7 break after a distincly average earlier 14 (barring a couple that Dave Bellis told me off for….).

Prestwich BC A win by 188-130 on the night, 196-170 with the handicaps.

Post match drinks in the New Bay after, cracking pint in there and friendly folk to boot.

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Green was heavy, bumpy, most unhopwoodlike. Would that suit us though, given that we’ve progressed from a bunch of chuckers on a heavy Prestwich field to decentish bowlers on a green that runs well? Nobody was reminiscing about the bad old days with teary eyes so I’m guessing not. Certainly we wouldn’t have thought that it was to the homesters’ liking given their usual bowling nirvana.

So it seemed in the first game as Steve Blaymire took on Tom Mellor. Steve bowled steadily to forge ahead to 7-1 at the first check. More good bowls from Steve together with Tom struggling for a length saw the scores doubled at the next check with Steve opening up a 14-2 lead. Tom managed to put a couple of good ends in to stem the tide but by the next check Steve had put another two near the block to lead 17-6. Unfortunately that would be the last chalk Steve would score as Tom secretly nipped off the green and substituted himself for a bowler wearing a Tom Mellor suit. Said sub proceeded to bowl very well, using the changes in pace of the club-to-entrance corners to run out.

Captain Stu’s in fine form against this season, pitting himself yesterday against a self-confessed out of sorts Peter Burt. Stu had learned from his previous defeat, posting 8 twos, 3 of which were part of a timely 8 break to take him from 8 across to being four chalks from home. Six ends later, three winning ends each and Stuart was home, winning 21-12. Peter won’t bowl that badly very often, I’ve no doubt about that.

I’d arrived a couple of minutes after the match had started, so was pleased to see Tony Hardman already on the green. As much as I like the guy, there’s only so many times you can play one player in your life! Dave Palmer had the pleasure this time and soon found out what a tough cookie Tony can be. Every time Dave went in front he was pegged pack. 3-0, 3-4, 6-5, 6-8 and so on. After 20 ends, Tony was 14-12 in front and the game very much in the balance. So it remained for a further five ends, with the game tied at 16 across. Credit then to Mr Palmer, who played some quality bowls to run out in four ends at 21-16

“Young” Dean Richardson faced a bowler I’d not seen before in the form of Mike Fletcher. Dean’s not one to stand on ceremony and pushed ahead after an initial exchange. Putting in a break of eight, Dean surged into a 10-4 lead. Mike and Dean then played pass the mat for the next ten ends, both registering six chalks to take the score to 16-10. A rally from Mike brought him back to within one of Dean, who responded with three points to lie two short of home. Back came Mike with two of his own before Dean fell over the line a worthy 21-17 winner.

Last of the first half was Stafford Morley against Barry Howcroft, two bowlers not unfamiliar with the corners. A close game for much of the evening with both players clawing each other back before a four break from 13-11 up gave Barry some clear daylight. Stafford again battled back, this time to 15-18 before Barry closed out the game 21-15.

3-2 up in winners and eight up on the agg. A tight second half was in the offing.

First on and last off in the second half was Trevor Williams up against one of Hopwood’s old stages in the form of Stan Greenwood. A marathon ensured, with only a single brace scored in the first 20 ends. Stan broke that run with a brace at the next to pull back to within one chalk at 11-12 before Trevor responded with what would be the third and final double of the game to go 14-11 up before extending that lead to 16-12. Stan then seemed to just edge away, winning 9 ends on the trot. All singles, with some fortune at times and good bowling at others. Another set of wheels fell off as Stan ran out 21-16. 3-3, 3 in the agg.

Next on was yours truly against Brian Goodall, another of Hopwood’s seasoned campaigners. You could tell the green was heavy when I had to pull 40-yarder Brian for a short mark when hadn’t made 18 metres. Fair play to Brian, I played badly and gave bad ends away. Unfortunately I let the condition of the green get to me and he adapted better with what was now a common theme of an eight break taking him to 15-5 up. I responded with three decent ends to pull back to 9 before finding out that Brian was in no mood to lose his length and let me back into the game. Having more hits than Elvis didn’t help my cause – only line tonight as length and luck deserted me, leaving Brian a comfortable 21-11 win. 3-4, 7 down on the agg

Up stepped our new recruit Graham Harrison against Brian Hardman, another tough block to face on Hopwood. Graham gave as good as he got, his Patricroft Park days serving him well under the green conditions as he held on to Brian’s coat tails, never letting him get more than three chalks ahead, finding himself only 8-9 down after the opening exchanges. Break of the night then went in – Graham notched 10 without reply before trading ends with Brian to chalk up an excellent 21-13. A good steadier of a win for Graham, which also took us level on games and 1 up on the agg.

Frank Heselwood arrived late, feeling out of sorts and drew Colin Palmer. Colin put in two after two for the first fifteen ends with some excellent bowls to blast clear at 17-5 (yes, there was an eight break!). Frank replied with two singles, Colin got back in and so it wandered on, with Colin playing wood of the night to lick a two inch bowl and stand his own on the jack, pegging in at the death. Frank notched his second two of the night in response to Colin reaching allbut, before Colin closed out the game 21-10. 5-4 on games, 12 up in the agg.

That left Geoff Hilton to reach double figures against Stuart Rand to secure another good away win. The game started like many of the others with neither playing wanting to surge ahead, exchanging the lead several times by the time Geoff reach 7-4. Surprise, surprise, another 8 break, this time from Stuart. However, Geoff responded well, replying with a 7 break of his own to regain the lead. Another 3 chalks from Stuart changed the lead again before Geoff once again returned the favour to lead 18-15. A brace from Stuart left us wondering if the lead would change again but it wasn’t to be as three singles saw Geoff home 21-17.

A 12-4 win for Prestwich, another good result and a surge away from the wrong half of the table.

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C Sproston 20 K Newbury 21 – first game on in the second half, last game off. Good game from both bowlers, Kev had the rubs apparently.
C Palmer 21 C Laithwaite 20 – second game on, second last off. New woods won out again.
G Harrison 7 J Woodward 21 – new boy showed around the green by an experienced campaigner
G Hilton 21 G Sandiford 5 – quality result, kitty-winning mauling of a player who seems to cop players on form at Prestwich
M Prosser 21 A Bailey 7 – Lead well, played well, even carried the mat well when needed.

Prestwich Cons scraped the agg by three chalks. 5-10.5 overall

It didn’t start well though. John Pearson raced to a 9-0 lead and didn’t look back, taking the game to 14-1 with five singles. A brief fightback by Trevor brought him back to 4-15 before John banged in three doubles to fly home in 19 ends.

Stafford started well enough, pegging the ancient Charles Cowsill back to 10-12 before some sepia-standard bowling blew Mr Morley away 21-10.

At that point I was called on the green but had seen Stuart Cameron start well in his game against Steve Edgar. What ultimately cost Stuart was his lack of twos, winning only two fewer ends than Steve but losing out 12-21. Three games gone and the familiar mountain to climb.

Dean Richardson was drafted in to fill the gap in the team vacated by dancing Dave, matching Tommy Wagstaff bowl for bowl over the first half of the game to trail 8-10 after 14 ends. End fifteen saw Waggy take a brace, only for Dean to put in a seven break and take control of the game. After a solitary response, a further six break from Dean closed out an excellent return to the first team winning 21-13.

Palmer D looked like he had his hands full with Tom Taylor, but his own game has looked in fine fettle this season and so it turned out to be. End 18 was the only end in the game where Dave was behind in a game in which he was usually 2-4 chalks clear, finishing true to course 21-19 for Dave against a tough opponent.

Half way, 3-2 down on winners and the best part of 30 chalks down on the agg. What could the second half do?

Match six saw Colin Palmer take on Ian “Boomer” Cherry. I’d seen Colin wrapping them in the run over, so it was no surprise to read that he’d surged clear 10-1. A few replies every third end from Ian saw Colin edge further clear to 14-6 and Boomer would score only one more point as Colin romped home to a fine 21-7 win.

Match seven was Mark Prosser against Terry “from Bury” Lytham. The first few ends were pretty awful and I stumbled into a 3-1 lead. Terry then put up six good woods. I was bowling worse than Ray Charles at this point but managed to claw two back only for Terry to pile any six on his total and leave me 13-5 down, then 15-6, then 16-8, then 17-10. Three singles later I’d started to bowl at last but Terry put a belter in at the next end to sit at the side of the block. Fortunately it would be the last chalk he’d score as I hit a length that Terry struggled with, closing the game out 21-18

Match eight saw Hollinhurst field a more than able replacement for Paul Dudley in the shape of Matt O’Neill, making a fleeting appearance in one of his Totty free nights. Graham Harrison started off well enough taking a 3-1 lead before Matt showed why he’d been selected for the county with a 16 break. Graham replied with a double before Matt closed out the match with five singles.

Match nine pitted Geoff Hilton against the home captain Paul Gardner. On the card, it showed as a game of two halves; Geoff went into an 8-6 lead after 11 ends, with the game over 11 ends later, finishing 21-7 to allow Geoff to share the kitty with Colin. I’ll leave Paul to give a fuller account of this one!

Match ten paired Steve Blaymire with Dave Wright. Again, a close game on the card with much of the first half shared to 7-7. Steve then put in a good middle section to pull out a 13-7 lead which soon became 18-10, only for Dave to peg him back to 16-19 before two no-balls at the last end left Steve an easy double for a famous win.

9-7 to the visitors. Well done lads.

Eagle A win 10 – 4.5

despite the match being a month after the regular season had ended, they took control of the game from the off and never let go throughout the evening. 6 winners to 4 sounds close, but an aggregate win by 59 points tells the true story. Well done Stuart and team.

Prestwich Cons names first

N Salisbury 12 S Cameron 21

C Harris 21 T Williams 20

A Davenport 21 D Bellis 18

S Jones 19 D Palmer 21

G Keating 10 S Blaymire 21

A Conchie 10 M Prosser 21

W Harris 2 C Palmer 21

A Bailey 8 L Roberts 21

T R-Toone 21 I Luckett 17

J Woodward 21 G Hilton 15

Handicap
Prestwich Cons + 10
Prestwich B C + 18

Final score 155 214