Shefford Bowls Club Bedfordshire
(Affiliated to the E.B.A and B.C.B.A.)

Weekly Results/reports


Week ending 27th Sept

On Monday the clubs mixed triples final was played and finished in dwindling light. The winners were Chris Tuffnell, Janet Northern and Barry Robinson beating Carol Rooker, Stuart Foulkes and Dave Northern by 19 - 13.
Tuesday saw the last final being played with the ladies pairs competition. The ladies pair was won by Shay Mumford and Janet Northern who defeated Margaret Potter and Jessica Ford by 23 shots to 11.
The finals were a success, with club Captain Barry Robinson and Janet Northern both winning three competitions.
Saturday saw the club play its final competition with 36 members playing for the Mal Lewis trophy which signifies the closing of the green. After a series of rounds the winners were Margaret Bucknell, Stan Spencer and Barry Robinson who beat Eric Copping, Stuart Foulkes and Bill Lamb in near enough complete darkness.
 
The club would like to thank Rosie Batcheldor for providing the teas during the season. Next year sees the club go unified with both sections joining together and forming one committee.

Week ending 20th Sept

On Wednesday Mike Hammond beat Keith Giddings in the two woods semi final 21 – 19 to reach the final where he will play club captain Barry Robinson on Saturday morning.
Thursday eventually saw the ladies four wood semi finals being played in the afternoon. Maureen Nicholson beat Janet Northern to reach her second singles final. In the final she will play Sheila Brown who beat Marjorie Miles. In the evening the last outstanding semi final was played in the mixed triples. The winners were Carol Rooker, Stuart Foulkes and Dave Northern who defeated Bryan Heath, Moreen Stevens and Richard Ford to reach the final which is to be played on Monday evening starting at 16.30.
Saturday saw the start of the clubs finals with four games taking place.
It’s the first time the club has held a finals weekend in years and all went well despite the poor support of club members. Club captain Barry Robinson beat Mike Hammond 21 – 19 to take the two woods singles title. Janet Northern beat Maureen Nicholson 15 – 5 to win the ladies equivalent. In what was the closest final of the weekend John Batcheldor and Margaret Foulkes beat Dave Northern and Brenda Ford 20 – 19 to win the Adam and Eve. In the men’s triples it was a win for Bill Bond , Stan Spencer and Bob Nicholson who defeated Eric Copping, Chris Tuffnell and Andrew Peacock 21 -15.
Sunday saw three more finals taking place with Barry Robinson winning his second singles title when he defeated Keith Giddings 21 – 17 in the four woods final. Maureen Nicholson overcame her disappointment on Saturday when she became ladies 4 woods singles champion winning 21 – 10 against Sheila Brown. Keith Giddings got some consolation from his singles defeat when he partnered Andrew Peacock to win the men’s pairs against Ken Stevens and John King 21 – 12.
The finals conclude this week with the mixed triples taking place on Monday with the ladies pairs on the following day. Both finals starting at 4.30pm.
Saturday sees the closure of the green when the members play for the Mal Lewis Trophy ( Red Dragon).

Week ending 13th Sept

On Monday the club held its ladies triples gala with 24 teams taking part in fine weather. The ladies played four games each and the eventual winners were L Gibson, M Mc Pherson and C Condron from Beech Hill and it was a good day for Beech Hill as they were also the runners up. The club would like to thank everybody who gave up their time to make the day a success as it was, raising valuable funds.
On Tuesday Captain Barry Robinson made it to his third final when he beat Richard Ford in the semi finals of the two woods 21-13.
The Bob Johnson trophy for the over 60’s was played for on Wednesday with 18 members taking part. In the final a three end play off the winners were Len Dolby, Margaret Gorringe and John King with Bill Bond, Derek Wilson and Mike Hammond finishing runners up.
Saturday saw the men travel to St Andrews in a six rink triples game and lost by 99 sots to 97. The highest winning rink consisted of Stan Spencer, Chris Tuffnell and Vic King. The ladies had no game.
Sunday morning was the final of the men’s champion of champions in the East Beds League and the clubs ‘A’ team lost to Sandy Town ‘B’ going down heavily on one rink and losing by one shot on the other. In the afternoon the club played Potton in a five rink mixed triples game and won by three shots. The highest winning rink was Ken Griffin, Peter Brown and Barry Robinson. The club would like to thank Potton for turning out five rinks despite the club being on tour

Week ending 6th Sept

With the season drawing to a close there’s hardly any games going on but I have listed below those that took place last week.
Tuesday the ladies ’A’ team start their game against Henlow in the East Beds knock out cup semi final. The game was abandoned after three ends as the heavy rain flooded the green. The game continued on the Wednesday with Shefford having to make a couple of changes due to work commitments. Henlow ran out winners and went on to beat Flitwick in the final.
Saturday was disappointing for the men as Luton West End failed to show. The ladies had no game.
Sunday saw a full green being used in the afternoon when the club played Henlow in a six rink mixed game. Shefford ran out winners winning by 135 to 106 shots. The highest winning rink was Carol Rooker, Chris Tuffnell, John Batcheldor and Richard Ford.
Sunday 13th September sees the men’s ‘A’ team go in as underdogs against Sandy Town ‘B’ in the champion of champions final at Biggleswade Town.

Week ending 30th August

With the season drawing to a close there’s mainly only club competitions going on and are listed below.
With the East Beds League finished, Monday was quite day on the green. Janet Northern beat Jessica Ford to reach the final of the ladies two wood singles final to be played on the 19th September.
On Tuesday the ladies ’A’ team lost against Ampthill by two shots to finish their league programme and they have a cup game tonight at Henlow.
Wednesday saw one of the ladies pairs semi-finals played with Margaret Potter and Jessica Ford reaching the final after beating Glen Jones and Brenda Ford.
On Friday one of the mixed triples semi finals was played and the winners were Chris Tuffnell, Janet Northern and Barry Robinson.
Saturday saw the men win at Lancaster Avenue in a five rink triples game by 7 shots and the highest winning rink was Derek Wilson, Mike Hammond and Barry Robinson. The ladies played a three rink game at home to Bedford Priory and had a comfortable win.
Janet Northern made it through to another final when she partnered Shay Mumford to reach the ladies pairs final beating Margaret Foulkes and Maureen Nicholson. The Club travelled to Wilstead on Sunday in a five triples mixed game and despite losing on only one rink lost the game by the narrowest of margins one shot.

Week ending 23rd August

The men suffered in the East Beds League on Monday night with the ‘A’ team losing at home to Sandy Town by one shot, this meant they are now relegated to division three after losing four out of the last five by  two shots or less. The ‘B’ won at Flitwick to give them a chance of promotion only to find out the other Flitwick side won at league winners Holwell to deny them. The ‘C’ finished their season losing at home to Stotfold and must now seek re-election.
On Tuesday the ladies ’A’ team lost at Henlow, while the ‘B’ team have finished their games in the East Beds league. On the club competitions front John King and Ken Stevens progressed to the men’s pairs final where they will play Keith Giddings and Andrew Peacock on finals day 19th September.
Thursday saw John Batcheldor and Margaret Foulkes reach the final of the Adam and Eve competition after beating Margaret Gorringe and Bryan Heath in a tense game.
On Friday the men’s ‘A’ team won at Biggleswade in the East Beds league Champion of Champions semi final winning by 32 shots to 30. The triples skipped by Brenda Ford lost in the Benevolent competition in the quarter finals And Maureen Nicholson lost in the Champion of Champions.
Saturday saw the men lose at Whitethorn heavily, but had a winning rink of Ken Griffin, Baz Gorringe, Alison Hammond and Bill Lamb. The ladies played a three rink game at home to Biggleswade and lost on all three rinks.
Luton - Coop were the visitors on Sunday when the club held a five rink mixed game. In a close encounter Shefford won by 93 shots to 87. They did have three winning rinks and the highest was Ken Griffin, Glen Jones, Brender Ford and Richard Ford.

Week ending 16th August

The men suffered in the East Beds League on Monday night with the ‘A’ team losing at Holwell and the ‘B’ losing at Flitwick both by two shots. The ladies triple of Sheila Waggott, Sheila Brown and Brenda Ford progressed to the quarter finals in the benevolent triples winning at Langford.
On Tuesday the ladies ’A’ team did not have a game, while the ‘B’ team lost at Biggleswade in the East Beds league.
Wednesday saw the club host the County match between Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire in appalling conditions. With it raining most of the game it was a surprise the game was finished, but with the green holding up well the game was concluded and Bedfordshire lost by 4 shots.
On Friday the ‘A’ team progressed in the East Beds league Champion of Champions winning at Potton.
Saturday saw the men lose at Stevenage Town with a much weakened team losing by 32 shots. The game however was useful as it gave 14 year old Connor Hart his first game for the club and he ended up on the only winning Shefford rink of Connor Hart, Islwyn Jones, John Batcheldor and Dave Northern. The ladies played a two rink game at Langford and won by two shots, Janet Northern skipped the winning rink.
Ampthill were the visitors on Sunday when the club held a four rink mixed game. In a close encounter Shefford lost by 71 shots to 77. They did have two winning rinks and the highest was Ken Griffin, Sue Hale, John Batcheldor and Bob Izzard. With only a month to go the club competitions are catching up, the men have reached at least the semi final stages while the ladies are behind on their matches.

Week ending 9th August

The men had mixed fortunes in the East Beds League on Monday. The ‘A’ team drew at Henlow; the ‘B’ beat Langford at home while the ‘C’ team suffered a heavy defeat at home to Biggleswade.
Tuesday was East Beds league night for the ladies with the ‘A’ team losing at home to Sandy Conservative Club and the ‘B’ team inflicted a defeat on top of the table Maulden in division three.
The rest of the week has been spent playing club competitions.
Weekend fixtures were a disappointment for the club. On Saturday the men lost at home to Norton by 79 shots to 57. The only winning rink consisted of Chris Hogan, Malcolm Clarke, John Batcheldor and Geoff Henry. The ladies lost at Henlow.
Sunday’s game against Potton was a five rink triples match despite Shefford winning on four of the five rinks they lost by 75 shots to 70.The highest winning rink was Glenn Jones, Dave Northern and Barry Robinson.

Week ending 2nd August

Monday started of badly for the club with all three men’s teams losing in the East Beds League. The ‘A’ team lost at home to Flitwick and the ‘B’ and ‘C’ lost at to Biggleswade and Henlow’ respectively.
Tuesday was East Beds league night for the ladies knock out cup and the ‘A’ team won at Flitwick to progress to the next round. Jessica Ford and Mike Sale run came to the end with a heavy defeat at Langford in the County mixed pairs. The club held the County men’s pairs competition and three pairs from Kent’s and one from Barton progressed to the semi finals to be played at Shefford on Friday.
The green was busy on Thursday with rearranged games in the men’s and ladies East Beds League. The men’s ‘A’ team suffered another close defeat losing by one shot to Biggleswade. The ‘B’ team recovered to snatch a draw with Sandy Conservative Club and finally the ladies ‘A’ team revenged an earlier defeat by beating sandy Town.
Friday saw the clubs ‘C’ team win its rearranged East Beds League game winning at St Andrews. County men’s semi finals were played at Shefford and Kents Athletic will play Barton in the final after close semi finals.
Saturday the men travel to Kingsbury and lost by 81 shots to 59. The only winning rink consisted of Chris Hogan, Yves Dorson, Mike Hammond and Andrew Peacock. The ladies defeated Stotfold by 67 shots to 34 winning on all three rinks.
Sunday’s game was cancelled as Letchworth Conservative Club could not raise a side. The club is now playing its club competitions but with some members failing to meet the deadline dates, there will be some members eliminated by the competitions committee

Week ending 26th  July

Shefford returned from another successful tour last Saturday. The club had 28 bowlers and 8 non bowlers to staying at The Haddon Hall Hotel in Eastbourne. The club was lucky with the weather and managed to play all 6 games scheduled. Shefford found it difficult to deal with the wind on most greens but came away winning three and losing three. Details of the games are listed below:-
 
Shefford     98              Gildredge Park             133
Shefford     119             Peacehaven                 105
Shefford     100             Eastbourne                   127
Shefford     106             Woodingdean               112
Shefford     147             Parade Marina             108
Shefford     126             Gullivers                         89
 
The competition amongst the Shefford bowlers resulted in Margaret Potter winning with a score of 57 followed by Mike Hammond on 47 and Janet Northern on 41.
The club would once again like to take this opportunity of thanking  Brenda Ford for once again running a successful tour and the members are already looking forward to next year.
During the week at home Bob Izzard went out of the County pairs on Tuesday losing by two shots. Andrew Peacock substituted for Bob Nicholson who was on tour. The ladies played a home game on Saturday and lost on both rinks to Barton Le Clay. Sunday saw Jessica Ford and Michael Sale progressed to the quarter finals of the County mixed pairs when they beat the Bakers from Wilstead by 18 shots to 13.

Week ending 19th  July

Another round of the East Beds league took place on Monday for the men, with the ‘A’ team winning at Fairfield. The ‘B’ team beat Great Barford at home and the ‘C’ team lost to Baldock, also at home.
Tuesday was East Beds league night for the ladies with the ‘A’ team losing at Flitwick and the ‘B’ team beating Stotfold at home. In the men’s County pairs the clash of the Shefford pairs saw the oldens of Bob Nicholson and Bob Izzard beat the youngsters of Richard Ford and Michael Sale by 20 shots to 16. Geoff Henry and Ralph Archer also progressed to the next round, beating a pair from Biggleswade Town.
The youngest lady member of the club Jessica Ford won both her matches in the unbadged singles games and is through now through to the final to be played on Friday at Barton.
On Thursday the men’s ‘A’ team went out of the knockout cup losing at home to Maulden ‘B’ who are top of division one.
 
Barton was the venue on Friday for the Ladies County finals day. In the unbadged singles final Jessica Ford from Shefford won the competition beating a lady from Ampthill 21-11. The game had to be stopped for a while due to the heavy rain / thunder but Jessica won on the first end after the restart.

Jessica

 Friday was also the next round of the County pairs for the men with three Shefford teams taking part. John Batcheldor and Barry Robinson were at Sandy Conservative Club but had to concede the game as the green was deemed not fit to play and the pair of them went on tour on the Saturday morning. Geoff Henry and Ralph Archer suffered a heavy defeat at Ampthill in appalling conditions. The two Bobs, Nicholson and Izzard won at Sharnbrook beating the pair that reached the final last season.
 No weekend games as club went on tour on Saturday to Eastbourne

Week ending 12th  July

Monday started of with Maureen Nicholson losing in the County singles. In the East Beds League the men’s ‘A’ team and the ‘B’ team lost to Stotfold ’B’ and Holwell ‘B’ respectively and the ‘C’ team beat Potton ‘D’.
Tuesday was East Beds league night for the ladies with the ‘A’ team losing at home to Biggleswade and the ‘B’ team losing at Flitwick. Jessica Ford and Mike Sale progressed to the next round of the County mixed pairs beating a couple from Queens Works comfortably.
On Thursday John Batcheldor and Barry Robinson progressed to the next round of the County pairs after beating Terry Sturgeon and Bob Hirst from Henlow at home.
Friday saw another Shefford pair reach the next round of the County pairs when Geoff Henry and Ralph Archer beat a pair from Wilstead. In the evening the club held its BBQ with 65 attending and everybody had an enjoyable evening. After a tense battle the men defeated the ladies by 128 to 105. The club would like to thank Richard Ford and his fellow chefs for cooking the food.
Saturday the men had no game, while the ladies travelled to Luton _ Coop and lost.
On Sunday the men played in the first round of the Pell Shield and went out to Houghton Regis in a close game by 6 shots. In the afternoon captain Barry Robinson had his special day with 30 people attending and after a series of different games the winners were Moreen Stevens, Stan Potter and Richard Ford. The runners up were Margaret Potter, Baz Gorringe and Dennis Stevens.
 
Saturday the 18th July sees the club go on his annual tour, with this year’s destination Eastbourne.

Week ending 5th  July

Sunday saw Richard Ford and Michael Sale win their pairs game to set up an all Shefford clash in the next round where they play Bob Nicholson and Bob Izzard.
Monday started of with the men’s ‘A’ team and the ‘C’ team beating Sandy Town ‘A’ and Stotfold ‘D’ respectively both away and the ‘B’ team lost at home to Flitwick ‘D’. Marjorie Miles and Maureen Nicholson went out of the County pairs losing at Henlow.
Tuesday was East Beds league for the ladies and the ‘A’ team beat Biggleswade to progress to the next round of the knock out cup. John Batcheldor and Barry Robinson progressed to the next round of the County pairs beating a couple from Wilstead.
On Thursday the club lost its last male singles player when Michael sale lost to Graham white from Meltis Bowls Club.
Friday saw the exit of Stan Spencer and Mike Hammond despite gaining a hot shot against a pair from Queens Works in Luton.
Saturday the club took a depleted side to Kent’s and lost overall but did have a winning rink of Chris Hogan, Derek Wilson, Baz Gorringe and Richard Ford. The ladies won a close game against Wilstead.
Sunday was the end of the line for Maureen Nicholson in the champion of champions when she went down to a lady from Essex at St Neots. The men’s game in the afternoon was cancelled from lack of support by the members.

Week ending 28th  June

Monday was a good start to the week for the club with the men’s ‘A’ team and the ‘B’ team beating Holwell and Flitwick respectively both at home and the ‘C’ team had no game. Marjorie Miles and Maureen Nicholson won their County pairs match beating a couple from Langford comfortably, while Sheila Brown and Brenda Ford lost at Henlow.
Tuesday was East Beds league for the ladies and the ‘A’ team lost at Ampthill while the ‘B’ team beat Potton at home.
 Wednesday saw the ladies ‘A’ team lose against Henlow in a rearranged game in the East Beds League.
Thursday was a big day for the club with the ladies playing Bowls England to celebrate their 40th Anniversary. Despite losing heavily the ladies had an enjoyable day playing against opposition that included County players from nine different counties as well as Past England presidents. Despite playing against this strong opposition Shefford did have a winning rink of Rosie Batcheldor, Sylvia Lawrence, Joy Bland and Shay Mumford.

In the evening the club had a few players in the County Singles and only Michael Sale progressed to the next round.
Friday saw the men’s ‘A’ team play Potton ‘D’ in the East Beds League knock out cup and ran out comfortable winners. Maureen Nicholson and Marjorie Miles progressed to the next round of the County pairs while the other pair of Sheila and Brenda went out.
Saturday the club played a friendly at Russell Park and found the heavy green too much to handle and went down on all four rinks. The ladies game against Sandy Conservative Club was cancelled by their opponents.
Sunday was the end of the road for Maureen Nicholson and john Batcheldor losing to a pair at Bedford Borough. The club renewed old acquaintances when they played Aston at home, as it was the first fixture between the clubs since 1975. Aston won on three out of the four rinks winning the game 85 shots to 71. Shefford’s winning rink consisted of Peter Brown, Stan Spencer, Margaret Foulkes and Barry Robinson.
Next Sunday sees Maureen Nicholson play in the quarter finals of the regional champion of champions against a lady from Essex at St Neots.

Week ending 21st  June
Monday saw the men’s ‘A’ team lose at home to Henlow ‘A’, the ‘B’ team won at Langford and the ‘C’ team lost at Biggleswade after rain reduce the game to eleven ends. Jessica Ford progressed to the next round of the unbadged singles beating a lady from Potton Bowls Club.
Tuesday saw the men’s triple of Bob Nicholson, Bob Izzard and Ralph Archer progress to the last 16 of the County triples at the expense of a side from Wilstead. They now play a triple from Russell Park on Friday. In the East Beds league the ladies ‘A’ team was cancelled and the ‘B’ team suffered a heavy defeat at Maulden.
Wednesday saw Jessica Ford and Michael Sale progress in the County mixed pairs beating a pair from Sharnbrook.   Maureen Nicholson progress to the next round of the champion of champions on Thursday morning beating a lady from Bedford Borough. In the evening the ladies lost at home to the strong Leighton Buzzard side in the national top club competition 3 – 1 with Alison Hammond and Maureen Nicholson winning the pairs. Michael Sale progressed in the County singles when his opponent conceded the game.
Friday was another busy day, with some County competitions being played. The mens triple skipped by Ralph Archer went out at Russell Park 18 -14. In the ladies County pairs both Shefford sides progressed to the next round. Sheila Brown and Brenda Ford plus Marjorie Miles and Maureen Nicholson play again on Monday evening.
On Saturday the men won at Dunstable by 92 shots to 72 winning on three rinks and drawing the other. The highest winning rink was Ken Griffin, Yves Dorson, Baz Gorringe and Geoff Henry. The ladies won at Stotfold.
On Sunday the club played Leighton Buzzard in a mixed game winning on two rinks and losing on two, however they won the match overall by 70 shots to 68.
Thursday 25th June the ladies play Bowls England in another game to celebrate their 40th Anniversary.
Week ending 14th  June
Monday saw the men’s ‘A’ team lose at Flitwick, the ‘B’ team won at home against Biggleswade and the ‘C’ team lost at home to.
The ladies triple of Sheila Brown, Brenda Ford and Maureen Nicholson beat a side from Sandy Conservative Club and progress to the next round on Thursday.
Tuesday was a busy day on the green with all six rinks being played on, with four County competitions and the ladies ‘B’ team playing in the East Beds League. In the county competitions John Batcheldor and Maureen Nicholson won their mixed pairs game. In the triples the rinks skipped by Ralph Archer and Michael Sale progressed to the next round on Friday, while Mike Hammond rink lost a close game to the County secretary Mark Curtis side from Meltis. In the East Beds League the ladies ‘A’ team had a week off and the ‘B’ team beat Biggleswade who were top by 35 shots to 30.
Thursday was a bad day for the club when the ladies triples went out of the county competition losing to the strong Henlow side and Alison and Mike Hammond lost in the County mixed pairs.
Friday was the next round of the men’s county triples. The club had mixed fortunes with the rink skipped by Ralph archer winning at Ampthill, while Mike Sale rink lost on the artificial surface of Meltis. Maureen Nicholson and Brenda Ford went out of the over 55 pairs.
Saturday the men lost at Barton by 87 shots to 70 despite winning on two rinks and losing on two. The highest winning rink being Colin Crouch, Derek Wilson, Malcolm Clarke and Barry Robinson. The ladies lost at home to Sandy Town.
On Sunday the club played the strong Holwell side in a mixed game and again won on two rinks and lost on two, however lost overall by 86 shots to 66. The highest winning rink consisted of Malcolm Clarke, Vic King, Ken Stevens and Bob Izzard.
Week ending 6th  June
Following last week where there were no men’s league games due to Bank Holiday Monday, the league resumed this week. The ‘A’ team lost a close game against Biggleswade by 34shots to 32.The ‘B’ team had a comfortable win at Sandy Conservative Club while the ‘C’ lost at home to a side from St Andrews. Back to league action for the ladies on Tuesday with the Shefford ‘A’ team losing at Sandy Conservative Club and the ‘B’ team losing at Stotfold by four shots.
Wednesday saw the club go out of the Harmsworth Cup losing against Stotfold on three of the four rinks. The winning rink was Bill Lamb, Malcolm Clarke, Geoff Henry and Ralph Archer.
Club captain Barry Robinson went out of the national over 55’s singles losing to a member of Barton Bowls Club.
On Friday the ladies triple of Sheila Brown, Brenda Ford and Maureen Nicholson won their first round in the county competition winning at Henlow and now plays Monday night.
The men’s triple of Barry Robinson, Andrew Peacock and Michael Sale progressed to the next round of the Crawley Cup beating a side from Sharnbrook.
There wan no game for the ladies on Saturday, however Brenda Ford and Maureen Nicholson progressed to the next round of the over 55 pairs.
The men entertained Beech Hill and in a very close game won on two rinks and lost on two, however winning overall by 72 shots to 71.
Sunday the club entertained Stotfold in a mixed triples game and the game finished after 15 ends due to the bad weather with Shefford winning 66shots to 43. The highest winning rink was Glen Jones, Malcolm Clarke and Janet Northern.
Week ending 31st  May
Tuesday was the knockout cup for the ladies in the East Beds League, Shefford ‘A’ team received a bye while the ‘B’ team lost at home to Maulden.
The rest of the midweek was quite with only a couple of club games being played.
Saturday saw the ladies win at Luton town by 47 shots to 25. The rink of Glen Jones, Sheila Waggott, Margaret Bucknell and Brenda Ford scored a hot shot which is rare in the bowls world.
The men’s game against Sandy Conservative Club was called off as Sandy was unable to raise a side.   Maureen Nicholson advanced in the champion of champions as she beat Pearl Tompkins from Ampthill 21 shots to 15 at Ampthill.
Sunday saw the first of the club trophies played for with 30 members attending in extremely hot conditions. After a series of rounds Andrew Peacock and Brenda Ford teams won their respective groups and met in the final. The winners of the final were Stan Spencer, Sylvia Lawrence and Andrew Peacock, runners – up Mike Hammond, Chris Tuffnell and Brenda Ford.
Week ending 25th May
Monday saw all three Shefford sides winning in the men’s East Beds League. The ‘A’ won beat Fairfield at home and the ‘B’ and ‘C’teams won at Great Barford and Baldock respectively. The last ladies County rink team skipped by Janet Northern went out to the strong Biggleswade side 22 shots to 14.   On Tuesday the remaining men’s rinks team skipped by Bob Izzard went out 21 shots to 14 against a side from Bedford Borough. In the East Beds League the ladies ‘A’ team lost at Sandy Town, while the ‘B’ team lost at home to Flitwick ‘B’ by 32 shots to 26.
On the green on Thursday was a County mixed pairs game between two Shefford sides and eventually Janet Northern and Barry Robinson beat Margaret and Stuart Foulkes by 22 shots to 16.
Depressing today for the club as in the morning the men went out of the top club 3 – 2 to Sandy conservative club with the match depending on the last ends of the triples, after Bob Nicholson had beaten the County and Eastern Counties champion Richard Beard 21 – 15 and the pair of Ralph Archer and Andrew Peacock had won the pairs.
In the afternoon the ladies lost at home to Flitwick, while the men lost at home to Fairfield 77 shots to 76. Shefford had a winning rink of Chris Hogan, Ken Griffin, Colin Crouch and Geoff Henry.
Sunday saw the club lose at home to Ashcroft, with Shefford highest winning rink being Dennis Stevens, John Batcheldor and Bob Izzard.
For the first time in three years the weather was kind to the club when it held its open gala with 20 teams taking part. After four rounds of tense competition the winners were the Swifts from Chadderton Bowls Club with 57 points. Runners up were the Jolly Jacks from Whitethorn Bowls Club with 53. The club would like to thank all the helpers who gave up their day to help out.
Week ending 17th May
Monday saw the start of the Men’s East Beds League. The ‘A’ won at Stotfold, while the ‘B’ and ‘C’teams lost to Holwell and Potton respectively. The ladies County rinks started today and the rinks skipped by Maureen Nicholson and Janet Northern both won, it is a pity that they now play each other in the next round on Friday. The rink skipped By Brenda Ford lost 18-17.
Tuesday saw two exciting games on the green. The men’s County rinks started and the clubs rink skip by Michael Sale lost 18 – 16 to a side from Kempston Hammers. The ladies ‘A’ team had an exciting game in the East Beds League against Flitwick and ended up drawing the game.
Thursday saw the other Shefford side in the men’s County rinks win 19 – 15 at Flitwick in a team skip by Bob Izzard. The men’s ‘B’ team in the East Beds League lost comfortably to Maulden ‘B’ in the knock out cup.
Friday was the day when the two Shefford ladies teams clashed in the County rinks and Jessica Ford, Moreen Stevens, Margaret Foulkes and Janet Northern won comfortably in the end by 24shots to 10.   Saturday saw both the ladies and gents play Ampthill. The ladies won at home by 55 shots to 45, with two rinks winning and one losing. The gents lost by 78 shots to 70 and the highest winning rink were Chris Hogan, Ken Griffin, Chris Tuffnell and Bill Lamb.
Sunday morning the Nicholson family both played champion of champions in poor conditions. Maureen won against a lady from Bedford Borough, while Bob lost to the current Bedfordshire County champion Richard Beard.
There were no friendlies on Sunday as the club played some club triples competition games.
Bank holiday Monday the 25th May sees the club annual open gala, there are still a couple of places available contact Brenda Ford on 01462  813264 if you can raise a side.
Week ending 10th May
Tuesday saw the start of the ladies East Beds League with both Shefford sides winning. The ‘A’ team winning at Biggleswade by won 36shots to 28 and the ‘B’ team won at Potton by 35 shots to 20.
Friday saw the men go out of the National two fours losing at Biggleswade by 38 shots to 30.
Saturday the men fair much better when they beat Henlow 3-2 in the National Top Club revenging last years defeat in the same competition.
In the afternoon despite losing on two of the three rinks the ladies beat Russell Park by 52 shots to 46. The winning rink consisted of Ann bland, Margaret Bucknell and Maureen Nicholson.
The men went down by 75shots to 68 against Howard Garden with the game turning round on the last end. John Dudgeon, Yves Dorson, Chris Tufnell and Richard Ford were Sheffords’ only winning rink.   Sunday saw the anniversary cup game between the ladies and the gents, with the ladies celebrating their 40th Anniversary. An enjoyable game in excellent weather conditions saw the ladies running out winners by 101 shots to 92.
Week ending 3rd May
Last Friday saw the ladies play their first game to celebrate their 40th Anniversary with a game against their Bedfordshire County executives. The Shefford ladies excelled themselves but went down by 75shots to 73.The club won on two rinks and lost on two. The highest Shefford winning rink was Ann bland, Rita Faulkner, Margaret Gorringe and Sheila Brown.
Saturday saw the ladies play a friendly against Bedford women BC and lost by 54shots to 45, however they did have a winning rink of Ann Bland, Moreen Stevens and Maureen Nicholson. The men lost by 95shots to 56 against the strong Queen Works side.
Sunday saw the club play Flitwick away in a 5 rink mixed game and came away with a 103 shots to 77 win, winning on four rinks and losing on one. The highest winning rink consisted off Mike Hammond, Stuart Foulkes, Dave Northern and Maureen Nicholson.
Next weeks friendly fixtures sees the ladies at home to Russell Park BC and the men away at Howard Gardens on Saturday and the big match on Sunday Ladies versus the Gents anniversary game.
The club has some vacancies for its annual open gala on May 25th for further details contact Brenda Ford on 01462 813264.
Week ending 26th April
Saturday saw the start of the season with friendlies against Bedford Borough and Steeple Morden. The ladies who celebrate their 40th anniversary this year got off to a bad start with a 60 shots to 40 shots. The match consisted of three triples. Despite losing on two rinks the club did have a winning triple of Ann Bland, Moreen Stevens and Janet Northern.
The club also had a mixed game at Steeple Morden consisting of four rinks. Shefford won on two and lost on two however overall they won 68 shots to 60. The two winning rinks both won by 7 shots each, on countback the highest winning rink consisted of Alison Hammond, Malcolm Clarke, Bill Lamb and Ralph Archer.
The club had no Sunday game as Langford have dropped out playing Sunday fixtures.   In celebration of the ladies 40th anniversary, they are playing several special games starting this Friday against the Bedfordshire County executives at Shefford starting at 2.30pm.
Next weeks friendly fixtures sees the ladies at home to Bedford Women BC and the men away at Queens Work on Saturday and a mixed fixture at Flitwick on Sunday.
Week ending 19th April
Last Friday saw the chairman’s cheese and wine night. There were 40 members who turned up and a few new potential players who enjoyed the evening. The club would like to thank Rosie Batcheldor for providing the food. Last Sunday saw the opening of the green with 36 members taking part in the spoon drive. After five rounds of tense competition the winning lady was Brenda Ford with Moreen Stevens’s runner up. In the men’s section Richard Ford was a comfortable winner. Anybody wishing to join Shefford Bowls Club should contact the Chairman John Batcheldor on 01462 628426