BURSCOUGH & LATHOM BOWLING LEAGUE

Review of the 2025 season

Last season for a change consisted of beautiful sunny weather throughout with only a few fixtures needing to be rearranged. However, this year will be most remembered for all our records being deleted from the Bowlnet results service at the midway stage of the season.

In the 1st Division, Bretherton A, captained by David Hughes, took this title for the 3rd time & for the second season running by winning 14 of their 16 games with a winning margin of 9 points from Banks St Stephens, captained by Dave Pritchard, who finished runners-up after beating Hesketh Arms Vultures, captained by Chris Harding, in a divisional play-off. At the another end of the table, Croston Black Horse & Zetland A finished in the relegation positions. The 1st Division Player of the Year award was won by Andy Draper (Hesketh Arms Vultures) for the first time by winning 14 of his 16 games.

The 2nd Division champions were Longton VM, captained by Ady Hoyle, who won 14 of their 16 matches & had 9 points to spare over runners-up Ainsdale, captained by John Clark, with third-placed team being Fleetwood Hesketh, captained by Colin Edge. At the another end of the division, Crossens A & Holmeswood finished in the relegation positions. The 2nd Division Player of the Year award was won by Stephen Johnston (Ainsdale) for the first time in only his second season in the league by winning 15 of his 16 games.

Whilst in the 3rd Division was dominated by Tarleton C, captained by Sylvia Bentham, who won 13 of their 14 matches & had 16 points to spare over runners-up Burscough RBL B, captained by Dave Haskayne, with third-placed team Tarleton B, captained by Dave Bailey, a further 5 points behind. The 3rd Division Player of the Year award was won by Joan Bullen (Tarleton C) for the first time by winning 12 of her 14 games.

Tarleton C made it a double winning season by taking the 3rd Division Cup by beating Mere Brow by 15 chalks in a closely contested final at Fleetwood Hesketh.

Nearly 50 bowlers from all divisions plus 30 non-playing guests attended our annual President's Day in honour of Duncan Crabtree & hosted by his club, Longton VM. The weather was a lot better than forecasted being very humid with only a few spots of rain throughout the afternoon until a heavy shower hit briefly during the well-contested final. After 7.5 hours of high-quality competitive bowling, Darren Edgerley (Hesketh Arms) retained his title as the winner of the 2025 League President's day by defeating Alec Everton (Croston Black Horse) 21-19 in a highly competitive & close final which could of gone either way. Losing Semi-Finalists were Dave Aindow (Fleetwood Hesketh) & Colin Moore (London Spynx). The day was once again enjoyed by everyone present, which included a superb tea. Play throughout the day was of the highest standard on the superb greens which were a credit to the greenskeeper. After the final, Mr Duncan Crabtree, presented the prizes to the winners & thanked his club & league members in helping run another excellent event & all the competitors who had taken part. He finished by saying that he had fully enjoyed his day & thanked the league for his engraved tankard which he would treasure.

On a beautiful evening in front of a smallish crowd & with play of the highest standard throughout, Burscough RBL A dominated the early stages of the match by winning all of the first 4 games to take an early lead of 39.5 chalks over Tarleton A in the KO Team Trophy final played on the superb but slow running Longton VM green due to the heavy rain earlier in the week. When Andy Howie in game 5 played a man of the match performance winning 21-8, victory was all but sealed for Burscough RBL A. With Tarleton A winning 2 of the last 3 games to reduce their deficient to 52.5 chalks. At the end of the match, the League Secretary, Keith Robinson, congratulated both teams on the sporting way they played the match & on reaching the final. as well as Longton VM for their hospitality. Duncan Crabtree (League President) presented the KO Team Trophy Shield to Jimmy Fagan, non playing captain of the victorious Burscough RBL A team in the presence of both teams & spectators.

Congratulations to Bill & Will Roddan (Zetland) on winning the 37th running of the League Pairs Competition by beating Carl Gregson & Dan Finch (Burscough RBL & Banks St Stephens) 21-18 in a tightly contested final in front of a good crowd on a humid but cloudy September evening. In the final on the superb Longton VM No.1 green, the bowling was of a very high standard & the game was nip & tuck throughout & after the first 2 ends Bill & Will led 6-0 but after the next three the game was level at 6-6. Then for the next 4 ends, Bill led brillantly on his favourite 25 yard swinging mark assisted by his son, Will to lead 12-6. However, Carl & Dan clawed their way back into the game in the corners over the next 4 ends to level the scores at 12-12 before Bill & Will got in again & scored on the next 3 ends to make it 16-12 then Carl & Dan scored on the next 3 ends to lead 18-16 before Bill & Will scored a single on the next 5 ends to run out worthy winners of this coveted title. Duncan Crabtree (President) presented the trophy & prizemoney after Jason Wright (Chairman) had made a speech to thank everyone who was involved in running another successful competition including the final night hosts, Longton VM, the greenkeepers, the players, markers, measurers & secretary, Keith Robinson.

Following the cancellation of the original final night due to storm Claudia, November 21st was the only Friday night that all qualifying players could make, meaning that this was the latest end of the season in the league's history. On a clear & cold evening in front of a small but knowledgable crowd, on the good running Longton VM No.1 green, saw bowling of the highest standard from all players throughout the final night. Ian Grady (Banks St Stephens) was the deserved winner of the Steve Rimmer Memorial Singles Shield as he played consistently to a high level throughout the tournament playing his favourite mark on one of the ridges across the green. In the final, which was a fitting tribute to Steve Rimmer, he beat Colin Moore (London Sphynx) on his favourite mark 21-11 whilst Colin could not repeat his exceptional corner play, from the previous rounds, in the final & stopped Colin from making it four titles in a row. The trophy & prizemoney were then presented to the winners by League President, Mr Duncan Crabtree, following the speech from the chairman, Jason Wright, which paid tribute to the contribution Steve Rimmer made to the league over many years as well as thanking Longton VM BC for hosting the event & to all the league venues, players & spectators who had supported this competition.

All officials & players are now looking forward to the start of another rewarding & exciting season at the beginning of April 2026. If you are interested in joining this Friday Night league, there are currently vacancies for players &/or teams of 8 players for clubs based in the West Lancashire & Southport Areas. For further information, please e-mail me, Keith Robinson (Secretary), at secretary@burscoughleague.org.uk with your details.