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...