Cathy Smith is the first lady bowler to have reached a county singles final for many years!

Congratulations, Cathy.

This year’s League Cup final saw League champions Headington A face their B side under the floodlights at Kidlington - the first time that two teams from the same Club had met in the final.

After the competition was cancelled in 2020, it was a welcome return to the Bowls calendar, with favourites Headington A marching to victory, to collect their 9th cup win in 11 seasons.

Both teams were celebrating winning their respective divisions, as Headington’s B team secured promotion to the top-flight for the first time. However, it was the A side who were fasted out of the blocks, charging ahead by 13 shots after the first 6 ends. Howard Watts and Nathan Lewis establishing strong leads by the half-way stage, leaving the B side struggling to stay in contention. Battling performances from both Colin Whitehead and Shaun Claridge’s rinks, gave the B team a foothold in the game, but it was not quite enough to challenge their club-mates for the trophy - the A team eventually winning by 33 shots overall. Colin Whitehead’s four picked up a consolation win on their rink, managing to secure 3 shots on the last 2 ends to edge victory, and bring a fitting climax to the game.

Winning captain Mark Charlett commented, ‘The final was played in great spirit; plus terrific support from the clubhouse and the Kidlington’s floodlights, all added to the occasion. It’s so good to be back! I would like to congratulate our B team for not only reaching their first League Cup final, but also for gaining promotion as Division 2 champions. I’d also like to thank Kidlington Bowls Club for being great hosts and supporters of the competition - this year hosting both the semi’s and the final.

The League’s vice-Chairman Martin Kershaw presented the trophy to Mark Charlett, congratulating the A team for finishing the season with a League and Cup double.

Headington B, 49 - Headington A, 82:
C Whitehead 13, M Charlett 10; R Edwards 12, N Lewis 22; S Claridge 15, J King 20; S Gould 9, H Watts 30.

The winning team

Group photo of both teams...

Congratulations to Captain Kelvin Woodward and his merrymen leading the B team to victory. Both Headington A and B teams have won their respective Divisions, the A team won Division 1 quite comfortably. The B team played a hard fought game against their closest rival Witney Mills.

Going into the game at Witney the B team were top on shot difference only, so everything was on Thursday night's game. In a very close game Russell Edwards' rink with Paul Costin, Toby Earp, Kelvin Woodward won their game and Shaun Claridge’s rink with Brian Stratford, John Henwood, Norman Rae also winning.

Steve Gould’s rink of Barrie Hudson, Dave North, Dennis Crook, losing by just one shot and Colin Whitehead being the last rink to finish, as usual, with Alan Manger, Sam Kibblewhite, Ian Kibblewhite. It was important that they did not lose the last end by more than 4 shots. With the rest of the team looking on, it went down to the last two woods with Colin’s rink holding 2 shots to draw the game. The overall game was won by 5 shots with the points 4.5 to 1.5.

The team celebrated in style in Witney Mills Club.

Jon Philpott made a little bit of history when he won the County Singles on Sunday 25th July 2021, being the third generation of Philpott’s to play in the Oxfordshire County Finals.  Dad Mick played in the 1967 Final, losing to A Green (Summertown) and Grampy Peter won the County Singles in 1970,  beating T Parker (Banbury Chestnuts).

Mark Charlett also made his own small bit of history winning the Two Wood Singles making him only the second bowler in the County to win all 5 County disciplines!

No National or County Bowls Games were played in 2020 due to Covid-19 pandemic.

We will have representation in 4 of the 5 disciplines in the County Competition Finals. The finals will be played at Witney Town Bowls Club on Sunday 28^th July 2021.

We have Jon Philpott in the final of the 4 wood Singles, Nick Rae-Welsh in the 2 wood Singles; waiting for the winner of the other semi-final between Colin Whitehead and Mark Charlett, being played at Headington tomorrow at 4.00pm. In the triples Ian Henwood, Jason King, Mark Charlett are playing Sam Watts, Ray Gaskins, Nick Rae-Welsh for a place in the final; this game is also being played at Headington tomorrow evening, 21 July 2021 at 6.15pm. On Friday evening, 23 July 2021 at 6.15pm, at Headington, the Pairs between Bernie May, Nathan Lewis and Paul Comley, Colin Whitehead is played for a place in the final.

In the National Competitions, Headington are guaranteed a place in the area final as the A & C team have to play each other to get through to the area final !

Battle Royal as the A team take on the B team in the National Top Club Competition this Saturday 24 July 2021 at 10.00am at Headington BC.

In the Oxfordshire Bowls League both the A & B teams are top of their respective leagues (A - Division 1, B - Division 2) having both lost one game each. If the B team can maintain the performances of recent games and get promoted, it would be the first time two teams from the same club have played in the top division; so come on the boys in the B team !!

On the club front nearly all of the hard work is finished. The new fencing looks terrific and with all the slabs laid and benches in place; it is just the planters to be made and flowers to be purchased.

The picture from South Parks looking over Oxford, in place of the old score board looks amazing. We will be the envy of most of the clubs in Oxfordshire - if we are not already.

The picture was taken by one of our own bowlers, Jon Philpott.

Good news; the club are going to order some more items of the “New Kit”.

If you are interested in purchasing an item or more there is a list on the club’s notice board. All what is required are name size and what items you require.

• Jackets
• Shirts
• Trousers
• Shorts

The list will only be up for 2 weeks from this weekend 29th May 2021.

Headington A team started with a very convincing win away to Banbury Central A winning 6-0,  46 shots 101 shots. Jason King’s rink being the biggest winners 37-8.

Sam Watts made his League debut moving from Watlington BC who have dropped out of the league this season.

Not to be outdone by the A team Headington B also won 6-0, with debutant Paul Costin who has moved from Thame BC, Paul leading for B team captain Kelvin Woodward, had an excellent game winning 32-7, which was the backbone to winning the game.

Skip Russell Edwards  had debutant 16 year old Toby Earp leading. Toby playing his first competitive game of bowls  had a very good game contributing to a 15 - 6.75 win;  77 shots – 35 shots.

This Thursday 27^th May, the A team are at home to Carterton BC, with the B team away at Witney Town.

Headington Bowls Club are opening up the green on Friday 23rd April. To book a rink contact John Henwood M- 07976 697744.