Ladies of SCWBA
It is an honour and a privilege to have been elected as your President for the upcoming year, 2024. My sincere thanks go to those who have agreed to support me throughout my Presidential Year.
I shall endeavour to support the Suffolk ladies and our County’s excellent reputation, wherever and however I can.
I give my special best wishes to our County Teams; the Silver Jubilee Vase and the Donald Steward, the Harry Carver Team and to all our County representatives at Lincoln and Skegness for the Indoor & Outdoor National Finals in 2024.
Friendships are made and cemented on the bowls green, the camaraderie we build is precious and priceless. I sincerely hope the sun shines on all of you whilst you play your competitions, be they in the Suffolk Leagues or County Competitions.
Whether you are competing or giving your support by watching, please have a wonderful 2024 and I hope to see you all on the greens.
PAULINE BLACK
SCWBA PRESIDENT 2024
SCBA officials with SCWBA Ladies (l to R), President Pauline Black, Donna Mills and Lesley Dyer
By WebsiteCoordinator 12/04/24 0 comments
Following the successful Indoor Finals last year, held jointly with the SCBA, the SCWBA finals were again integrated, this time with the ladies playing their semi-finals and finals over the two days. Special thanks are due to Sue Rochard and Kim Dyer for their efficient organisation. The SCWBA is also grateful to Ipswich and District Bowls Club, the sponsors of the individual competitions and all umpires and markers.
Click here for a gallery of photos of the County Champions
Ladies 4 Bowl Senior Singles:
Semi-Finals (Saturday 2nd March)
Margaret Thorpe v Amy Finch. Result 12 - 20
Pauline Wright v Christine Anderson. Result 21 - 15
Final (Sunday 3rd March)
Pauline Wright v Amy Finch. Result 5 - 21
After four semi-finals played on Saturday, in which she reached the finals of all, Pauline Wright began her second busy day with a challenging match against Amy Finch. The match went Amy’s way through consistent strong play, although Pauline fought to the end with good quality bowling.
Two Bowl Mixed Rinks:
Semi-Finals (Saturday 2nd March)
M.Rumble, Sandi Steed, S Gaught v P.Hurren, N.Roberts, Lesley Dyer. Result 22 - 10
M.Smith, P.Smith, Sally Smith v A.Turner, Chelsea Turner, R.Kerry. Result 16 - 22
Final (Sunday 3rd March)
M.Rumble, Sandi Steed, S Gaught v Adam Turner, Chelsea Turner, Robert Kerry. Result 15 - 16
Strong performances in the semi-finals led to expectation of a high-quality final. The audience were not disappointed. Sandi Steed’s trio went comfortably ahead in the early ends and their 4 shot lead at 9 ends extended to a lead of 12 shots to 5 after the 11th end. However, a three in the 12th end put Chelsea Turner’s team in the ascendancy. An Umpire measure in the 13th end resulted in a further shot to the Thurlton BC players, now just 12-9 down and by the 14th end it was 12 shots all. The next two ends went to Sandi’s team resulting in a 3 shot lead after 16 ends, but Thurlton were not done and scored a three in the 17th to set up a thrilling last end. Their momentum took them through to win by one shot in a skilful match that neither side deserved to lose.
Ladies Triples:
Semi-Finals (Saturday 2nd March)
Pauline Wright, Janet Brackenbury, Amy Finch v Paula Gooch, Gillian Lamprey, Margaret Thorpe. Result 23 - 12
Julie Filby, Sue Long, Sue Rochard v Pauline Anderson, Margaret Beck, Glenis Harvey. Result 10 - 11
Final (Sunday 3rd March)
Pauline Wright, Janet Brackenbury, Amy Finch v Pauline Anderson, Margaret Beck, Glenis Harvey. Result 29 - 5
Although Pauline Anderson’s triple got off to a good start winning the first two ends, the skill and team work of the reigning champions proved too strong for her team. Pauline, Janet and Amy pulled away to a commanding lead and were 21-5 up after 12 ends, with the match concluding at 16 ends.
Mixed Pairs:
Semi-Finals (Saturday 2nd March)
June Andrews, D.Andrews v Sally Smith, P.Smith. Result 17 - 15
Paula Gooch, K.Dyer v M.Rumball, Sandi Steed. Result 6 - 18
Final (Sunday 3rd March)
June Andrews, D.Andrews v M.Rumball, Sandi Steed. Result 11 - 31
Defending champions, Martin Rumball and Sandi Steed, played with skill and confidence to dominate the majority of ends in this final, although June and Dennis Andrews fought back with some excellent shots as the match concluded.
Ladies Pairs:
Semi-Finals (Saturday 2nd March)
Julie Filby, Sue Long v Lorraine George, Christina Dunn. Result 29 - 8
Pauline Anderson, Diane Muirhead v Pauline Wright, Janice Brackenbury. Result 19 - 21
Final (Sunday 3rd March)
Julie Filby, Sue Long v Pauline Wright, Janice Brackenbury. Result 8 – 20
The final got off to a competitive start, but the match swung in favour of Julie and Sue. Already 7 shots ahead after 12 ends (5-12), a four in the 13th end, followed by a two the following end secured a winning position for the Thurlton BC pairing.
Ladies Senior Singles:
Semi-Finals (Saturday 2nd March)
Pauline Wright v Sue Rochard. Result 21 - 5
Lorraine George v Margaret Thorpe. Result 17 - 21
Final (Sunday 3rd March)
Pauline Wright v Margaret Thorpe Result 14 – 21
Playing in her fourth final of the day, Pauline Wright played a spirited match, but Margaret Thorpe had fresh legs and an excellent record in this championship. Margaret pulled away to an early 5-shot lead, but Pauline fought back, with the score at 10 ends close at 6-7. In the later stages, Margaret pulled further away, although Pauline was always in contention and the match concluded with a very close head in the 25th end.
The Ladies Pairs Trophy is presented to Julie Filby and Sue Long by Donna Mills, Pauline Black and Sue Rochard (Match Secretary)
Ladies 4 Bowl Senior Singles
2 Bowl Mixed Rinks Final. Chelsea Turner, Robert Kerry, Martin Rumball and Sandi Steed
Margaret Beck, Glenis Harvey, Pauline Wright and Amy Finch, Ladies Triples Final
Sandi Steed and June Andrews in the Mixed Pairs Final
Ladies Pairs Final. Skips Julie Filby and Janice Brackenbury
Ladies Senior Singles Final. Pauline Wright and Margaret Thorpe
By WebsiteCoordinator 02/03/24 0 comments
The Semi-Final and Finals of the 2024 indoor ladies competitions are now available under competitions. For Mixed results please see the SCBA website.
By Sally Smith 31/10/23 0 comments
Once again, SCWBA members, partners and friends met up at Bramford Golf Centre to celebrate the successes of the season. President, Jenny Ronchetti, was delighted to welcome EWBF President, Elaine Haddon-Holmes and SCBA President, David Lyas to share our luncheon. We were also pleased that Past President, Rosemary Gyford, was able to join us.
After an excellent meal we heard first from David Lyas who commented on his year as SCBA President, now so nearly at a close. David paid tribute to the success of the County Teams, said how much he had enjoyed the excellent company of the ladies at Skegness and toasted the SCWBA. Our outgoing President, Jennie Ronchetti, responded with a review of her second year as President, which was so special because both our teams played in the finals at Skegness. Ultimately, only the Silver Jubilee Vase Team were to bring back the trophy, but both teams did so well to reach the finals and the Donald Steward team played a very creditable match in difficult conditions. Our representatives in the Senior Pairs, Di Miller and Christine Woollard, came away with the runner’s up trophy (on display with the Silver Jubilee Vase and the Donald Steward runner’s up trophy on the top table).
The toast to our guests was proposed by Pauline Black, SCWBA President Elect. Pauline referred to the particularly busy time working alongside Jenny at Skegness to congratulate and support the Suffolk bowlers. She is looking forward to her Presidency next year.
Elaine Haddon-Holmes responded to Pauline’s toast to the guests, referring to her first contact with the Suffolk officials at the National Indoor Championships at Lincoln, with friendships renewed at Skegness. Her own experiences at Lincoln included being served breakfast by a robot at her B&B! She was very pleased that Suffolk had got the better of Derbyshire’s old adversaries, Lincolnshire, in the Silver Jubilee Vase final.
The trophies were presented by Jenny Ronchetti, Elaine Haddon-Holmes and Pauline Black, with the efficient assistance of Jane Pitcher, the County Finals Coordinator. Sadly, the serious flooding of the previous day prevented some of the County winners from attending the luncheon to receive their awards. The Victrix Ludorum trophy for the outdoor finals was presented to Lesley Dyer for Area A.
The presentations to the runners-up and winners of the individual outdoor and indoor competitions were followed by gifts for members of the two County Teams and their captains, Barbara Rushbrook and Ann Craigie. The thimbles were presented to Elaine Peck, Margie Robinson and Elaine Felgate (DS) and Paula, Gooch, Pauline Anderson and Lesley Alexander (SJV). The members of the victorious Area D team in the Ellen Matthews competition were also congratulated.
Chairman Linda Nunn then announced that a new presentation was to be made. Our former Treasurer, Sue Boorman, and her sister Pam Ward had generously presented a crystal vase when they left Suffolk, to be presented to the Silver Jubilee Vase Team on the occasion of winning the National Final. It had taken a few years, but the lovely trophy could now be presented to Ann Craigie.
Finally, a 100 County Games badge was awarded to Paula Gooch. Linda then thanked Jane Pitcher for all her work on competitions and Ann Craigie for organising the luncheon. Looking forward to the AGM on 28th October, Linda asked for the assembled SCWBA ladies to give serious consideration as to whether they would be prepared to stand for any of the large number of positions currently without nominations.
The luncheon was enjoyed by 82 attendees. The well-supported raffle in aid of the SCWBA, organised by Veronica Southey, raised £312.
By WebsiteCoordinator 26/09/23 0 comments
The Annual General Meeting of the Suffolk County Women's Bowls Association will take place on Saturday 28th October 2023 at Felixstowe & Suffolk Bowls Club, IP11 2DJ commencing at 10.30am.
Click on the document that you wish to view: AGM 2022, Agenda, Proposals, Invitation.
By Jenny Ronchetti, Jane Pitcher 20/09/23 0 comments
The Novice Competition this year took place at Wenhaston Bowls Club. Although the morning started foggy and damp, the sun came through and we had a wonderful warm day.
Eight ladies took part, each playing three games of two trial ends and ten ends of full play.
Our two finalists as a result of this play were Lizzi Wood of Fressingfield BC and Jane Nicholls of Lowestoft Railway BC. The final was a full game to 21 shots, marked by President Jenny Ronchetti. It was a very good and competitive game, won by Lizzi Woods.
Thanks go to Linda Nunn and Jane Pitcher for the organisation of the competition and also to Mike Nunn, Umpire for the day. We were once again well looked after by Wenhaston BC, with excellent facilities and refreshments throughout.
Click here for additional photos of this enjoyable competition
By Sally Smith 18/09/23 0 comments
The complete report on the Skegness Finals is now available.
Click here to access a gallery of photos from the Finals week.
As previously reported, 2023 had already been a successful year for SCWBA Ladies, with our teams reaching the National Finals of both the Donald Steward and the Silver Jubilee Vase competitions. The Silver Jubilee Vase Final on Saturday morning saw Suffolk up against Lincolnshire. At five ends, Suffolk were leading by 6 shots and by the 15th had extended their lead to 25 shots.
Continued pressure from our ladies eventually ensured a comfortable win overall by 121 shots to 83. Well done to Ann Craigie and her enthusiastic team!
The Donald Steward Team began their afternoon match with hopes of emulating the Silver Jubilee Vase ladies, but, unfortunately, they came up against a strong side from Humberside. Playing on a green which was very far from ideal, our ladies struggled to find the lines on a patchy surface frequently lacking grass. Humberside went into an early lead, which they sustained throughout, although Suffolk came back at them in the later stages of the match.
In a closer than anticipated finish, Suffolk won one rink, with losses by just one shot on two other rinks. The final score was Humberside 124, Suffolk 101. Team Captain, Barbara Rushbrook, was immensely proud of their performance in challenging playing conditions.
After the disappointment of the match, further upset resulted from the hurried presentation, which was commenced without Barbara Rushbrook and Margaret Thorpe, with several players rushing to be presented late to the officials. A complaint was made by the SCWBA to the National Federation.
Individual Competitions.
In continuing fine weather and with optimism arising from the success at the weekend, our ladies went forward into their competitions, which were to take Suffolk players into three semi-final matches and forward to two finals.
2 Bowl Singles: Angela Mondon, Old Newton
Angela had to wait for her first-round match until Thursday morning. Having despatched the Lincolnshire competitor 21-19 in a well-fought match, Angela was soon in action again against N. Cambs. This proved another close match, which unfortunately did not go in Angela’s favour. At 20-18 ahead, she was hoping that her shot wood was enough to take the match, but her opponents second wood just trickled in to take one shot, which was then followed by a 2 in the next end to progress to the semi-final.
4 Bowl Singles: Elaine Peck, Wenhaston
This year the individual competitions commenced on Monday afternoon and Elaine was straight off against the N. Cambs. competitor. Unfortunately, Elaine was unable to get into her game and lost 21-10, but went out knowing that she would also be competing in the Mixed Senior Pairs later in the week.
Under 25 Singles: Daisy Spooner, Hollesley
Daisy received a bye into round 2, where she met a talented young player from Huntingdonshire, who had also qualified for the two and four bowl competitions. By the sixth end Daisy was four shots behind, but she continued to play in good spirit and with excellent concentration while her opponent pulled steadily ahead. The result, 21-10, saw her opponent through to the semi-final, subsequently to become the U25 Champion.
Senior Singles: Christine Aldous, Thorndon
Christine’s first-round match was against Huntingdonshire. A good 21-17 win took her through to a second-round match on Thursday against the N.Essex representative. Christine powered to an early lead, which she never looked like losing and finished the game 21-7 to secure a place in Friday’s semi-final. Christine got off to a slower start in the semi-final and was trailing 20-13 when she came back well against her opponent who struggled to win that one last shot. Sadly, time ran out for Christine and her experienced opponent from Nottinghamshire eventually concluded the match when Christine was just three shots behind, 21-18. Her opponent went forward to win the Championship.
Secretaries Singles: Jackie Whitlock, Otley
After gaining the County championship, it was a great disappointment to Jackie that an arm injury prevented her from competing at the Skegness Finals this year. Sadly, she missed taking her place in the Donald Steward Team Final, the Pairs and the Secretaries Singles competitions.
Champion of Champions: Sue Hender
The Suffolk representative, Sue Hender, had a bye in round 1 and didn’t play until Thursday afternoon. Her match against Humberside was initially close, but her opponent steadily pulled away and Sue lost 14-21.
Pairs: Elaine Felgate and Charlie Felgate, Otley
With Jackie Whitlock unable to play, Elaine’s daughter, Charlie, very ably took her place. The Felgate’s round 1 match was close for the first half of the game, but their opponents from Humberside applied pressure in the later stages and pulled away to win by 5 shots, 15-10.
Senior Pairs: Di Miller and Christine Woollard, Hadleigh
Di and Christine entered the competition with a second-round match against Durham. Ahead by one shot at 9 ends, they found themselves down by 5 shots at 14 ends (10-15). However, Di and Christine fought back determinedly and drew level by the 17th end. With Durham unable to take another shot, the Suffolk ladies were rewarded with a win 21-15. Di and Christine were up against N. Cambs in their semi-final on Friday morning. This proved to be a very tight game, with Suffolk 6-10 down at 12 ends. Our ladies changed position and by 18 ends they were 3 shots down (15-12). As in their previous match, persistence paid off and they pulled up to just one shot behind going into the last end. A further one shot to Suffolk resulted in a dramatic extra end, which required an Umpire measure to see Di and Christine through to the final. Up against a strong Hunts pair, Di and Christine were trailing for much of the final, but kept themselves in contention. A three in the 17th end brought them within three shots at 12-15. In the 18th end a skilful shot from Christine took a one, which was then snatched back in the 19th by Hunts. Sadly, the match concluded at 13-18 when Hunts finished with two shots close to the jack. At the presentations afterwards Christine and Di discovered that the runners-up receive a trophy.
Mixed Pairs: Rachelle Barber and Jason Smith, Bramford
In their second-round match, Rachelle and Jason were up against Hunts. In the early stages they fell behind, but forced their way back into the game as it progressed to be 3 shots ahead with two ends to go. The match eventually went to an extra end, but one shot to Hunts determined the semi-finalists.
Senior Mixed Pairs: Elaine Peck and Chris Peck, Wenhaston
Playing in the first round on Tuesday, Elaine and Chris played a couple from Cleveland. After nine ends they were 10-5 in the lead and they maintained their good form to keep comfortably ahead. The final score of 17-11 took them through to meet Norfolk in the next round. At 11 ends, just one shot down at 7-8, their opponents applied pressure and the Suffolk pair found themselves losing a succession of ends by just one shot. Although the final ends were closer, Elaine and Chris lost by 11-17.
2 Bowl Rinks and 3 Bowl Rinks: Pauline Anderson, Margaret Beck and Gillian Lamprey, Lowestoft Railway
Suffolk was represented in both competitions by the trio from Lowestoft Railway, Pauline, Margaret and Gillian. The 3 bowl rinks, round 1, was played on Monday afternoon. Sadly, Norfolk proved too strong for our ladies, who went out 20-9. Tuesday morning saw Suffolk in the 2 bowl rinks first round up against Lincolnshire in a much more closely-contested match. Pauline, Margaret and Gillian started strongly, scoring six shots in the first two ends. They held a good lead in the early ends, and at 10 ends they were still ahead by 11-8. However, Lincs came back at them and were four shots ahead at 14 ends having just scored a 3. After scoring a 1 in the 19th, Suffolk took a three-shot deficit into the last end. Great play by Pauline and Margaret had put Suffolk three shots ahead as they changed ends. After great deliberation Gillian played to put pressure on the Lincs skip’s last wood by adding her own last wood to the count, leaving Suffolk in a potentially match-winning position. However, to the dismay of Pauline and Margaret, her shot changed the head and Suffolk went out 19-17.
2 Bowl Mixed Rinks: Shirley Plummer, Paul Bugg and David Brown, Rookery
A bye to the second round helped our mixed triple to get underway, but they had no difficulty in achieving a comfortable win over Norfolk by 23 shots to 13 to gain a semi-final place against North Cambs. The semi-final against North Cambs. was a competitive match, with Suffolk just one shot down at end 11. In the later stages the triples built up really tight heads, but Suffolk started to pull away and at 17 ends they were five shots ahead. However, North Cambs. were not to be dismissed easily and came back to within three shots on the 20th end. Shirley, Paul and David held their nerve and took one shot on the last end to progress to the final 21-17. The Mixed Rinks final against Hunts started fairly evenly, although Suffolk’s cause was certainly helped by gaining 5 shots in the 15th end. In the 18th end, with Suffolk just one shot in the lead, Hunts were holding 2, but David’s second shot was perfectly weighted and came into the head to take the end. Unfortunately, in a tight head, Hunts won 2 in the 19th end to level up at 17 all. In the 20th end Shirley did well to take the jack away from the shot bowl and David later made it 2 for Suffolk. The final end, sadly, went in favour of Hunts with the narrowest of wins. David’s second wood finished short of the head allowing Hunts to keep their 3 shots advantage they needed for the championship.
With Suffolk ladies involved in two finals and a semi-final, 2023 was a nearly year in the individual competitions for the County. Next year’s National Finals will again be in Skegness and it is to be hoped that the greens will be in better playing condition than they were this year. Perhaps 2024 will see one or more of these championships coming to Suffolk, as well as hopefully finding success again in the County team competitions.
The Silver Jubilee Vase is presented to Team Captain, Ann Craigie
The Donald Steward Team assemble ahead of their match against Humberside.
By WebsiteCoordinator 01/09/23 0 comments
For a copy of the menu please click here.
By WebsiteCoordinator 22/08/23 0 comments
The Competitions section contains final results of those National Finals in which Ladies are involved.
The Donald Steward Team assemble ahead of their match against Humberside.
By Sally Smith 20/08/23 0 comments
2023 has already been a successful year at the National Finals for SCWBA Ladies, with our teams reaching the finals of both the Donald Steward and the Silver Jubilee Vase competitions. The Silver Jubilee Vase Final on Saturday morning saw Suffolk up against Lincolnshire. At five ends, Suffolk were leading by 6 shots and by the 15th had extended their lead to 25 shots. Continued pressure from our ladies eventually ensured a comfortable win overall by 121 shots to 83. Well done to Ann Craigie and her enthusiastic team!
The Donald Steward Team began their afternoon match with hopes of emulating the Silver Jubilee Vase ladies, but, unfortunately, they came up against a strong side from Humberside. Playing on a green which was very far from ideal, our ladies struggled to find the lines on a patchy surface frequently lacking grass. Humberside went into an early lead, which they sustained throughout, although Suffolk came back at them in the later stages of the match. In a closer than anticipated finish, Suffolk won one rink, with losses by just one shot on two other rinks. The final score was Humberside 124, Suffolk 101. Team Captain, Barbara Rushbrook, was immensely proud of their performance in challenging playing conditions.
After the disappointment of the match, further upset resulted from the hurried presentation, which was commenced without Barbara Rushbrook and Margaret Thorpe, with several players rushing to be presented late to the officials. This resulted in a complaint from the SCWBA to the National Federation.
The Silver Jubilee Vase Team celebrate their win.
The Silver Jubilee Vase is presented to Team Captain, Ann Craigie