Press Report 

13 July 2024

Batchwood Hall BC – Hosts Top Events On the 27thJune, a lovely warm sunny afternoon, Batchwood Hall BC was privileged to host the Hertfordshire Bowls Presidents Day (an invitation day). Our very own Lesley Tutt is currently the County President. Lesley invited all the past Presidents and her county friends to join her to play some fun bowls. The day started with reception drinks for all, and the games were played in good spirits. This was followed up by an excellent meal with lots of laughter. Lesley’s chosen charity is “Smile Train”, a charity for children born with cleft lips and palates. Batchwood Hall raised over £200.00 on the day towards her charity. Batchwood Hall BC are also hosting the Hertfordshire Bowls County Men’s Two Wood Singles Day, which was due to be played last weekend, but severe weather prevented play and the competition will now take place on Sunday 14th July. Some of Batchwood’s less experienced bowlers entered the Area National Competitions for the first time this year. Batchwood Hall BC competitors have done themselves proud, as all our entries reached the quarter final stages, a remarkable success with some excellent personal achievements. Ladies County President Lesley Tutt played Sarah Marshall of Berkhamsted BC (former Blind World Bowls Champion) in the Women’s National Senior Singles, but Lesley lost out 21-14 over twenty-five ends. In the Women’s Senior Pairs, Yvonne McAuliffe and Anne-Marie Stuart Reid (Townsend) fought hard against a strong pair Alison Hurst and Su Thompson from Herts BC, losing 18-14. In the Senior Mixed Pairs David Richardson and Yvonne Mc Auliffe went out against Helen Mc Millan and Johan Ellis from Bushey and Garston respectively, 14-22. However, also in the Senior Mixed Pairs Stephen Maynard (Harpenden) and Jackie Bell (Batchwood) did win through to the semi-finals where they played Helen McMillan and her partner on a very wet Sunday morning, but were beaten 10-21. In the National Inter Club competitions Batchwood Hall BC reached the semi-finals in the Tony Allcock over 60’s Mixed Fours in a very tight, well played match against Welwyn & District, dropping only two shots to lose out 31-33. In the County Singles Lesley Tutt played June Worman from Welwyn Garden City coming through with a win, 21-14 and now goes through to the last sixteen. The St Albans & District competitions are now very much underway with Batchwood Hall BC still holding firm with a win away at North Mymms in the Stockman-Winser Mixed Fours competition. Eddie Clark, Dave Gauthier, Jenny Gauthier, and Sandra Clark played Alan Harman’s team, winning 18-17 and gaining a “Hot Shot” on the fifth end! Batchwood Hall BC is now through to the last eight. In the St Albans & District Association’s men’s Singles, Brian Parkes played Dave Sparrow from Potters Bar, winning 21-11 and in the SADBA Pairs Dave Gauthier and Jerry Mc Auliffe played Toby Bunting and Graham Archer from Hemel Hempstead BC in an incredible game, winning 24-8. In the ladies Association District Pairs, Jackie Bell and Yvonne McAuliffe played against fellow club members, Sue Swain and Kate Horner, winning 24-11

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June 2024

Batchwood Hall BC members are continuing their hard-fought battles in the National, County and District competitions. In the National Tony Allcock over 60’s Mixed Fours, played at home, Jackie Bell and Dave Richardson were skipping the two rinks against Potters Bar. Batchwood won on both rinks with an overall score of 36-21 and proceed to the next round against Tring BC.

In the National Senior Pairs competition John Turkentine and Jerry Mc Auliffe beat Steve Tanner & Dave Holiday from Tring BC, winning 18-12 and Brian Parkes with Mark Trembling also won against Chris Gray and his partner at Berkhamsted BC, 17-10.

Batchwood were not totally successful in the Nationals. In the ladies Champion of Champions Jackie Bell lost to Jo Hollister at Bushey BC 18-21 in a closely fought game and in the men’s equivalent competition Brian Parkes lost 14-21 to Martin Coles of Mill End in a 25 end game at Batchwood. In the National Mixed Fours, Eddie Clark’s team lost away to Jackie Wright’s team from Herts BC, 20-12.

In the men’s County Triples, there was a double success for Batchwood Hall BC with Dave Gauthier, Mark Trembling and Jerry McAuliffe beating Mike Howes’ team at Shire Park, 15-14, in a very tight match from the beginning. Also in the County Triples, Eddie Clark, John Turkentine and Dave Richardson had a good win against Steve Jewell’s team from Potters Bar, 22-11. In their first County league match, Batchwood’s ladies team 1 lost to North Mymms team 1, 23-15 away.

Batchwood ladies fared better in the SADLBA Friendly Rinks League. They played St Albans BC with Jackie Bell & Liz Schlatter skipping and Batchwood won on both rinks, scoring 42-27 overall. The ladies continued their success in this league, playing Potters Bar with Jackie Bell & Jenny Gauthier skipping, again winning on both rinks to give an overall score of 50-18. The men also succeeded, playing alongside the ladies at Potters Bar in their SADBA Rinks League match. Batchwood won on all three rinks to gain maximum points with Charlie Bowie, Vic Busani and Dave Richardson skipping. These league games were all played away.

If this has sparked an interest in any reader, Batchwood Hall BC are having an Open Afternoon as part of Big Bowls Weekend on Friday 24th of May from 2pm- 4pm, whereby the public can come and meet us and try the sport for free. Just flat soled shoes required.