Thrilling Mixed KO final at Bramhall
THE 2019 semis and finals of the 18th Mixed Knock Out in the Alderley Edge Bowls League were held at the Bramhall venue of Queensgate Bowls Club.
These mixed leagues were established in 1998 and the mixed knock out competition started in 2002. Gordon Kempster, league representative of Queensgate, noted: “We are delighted that our facilities allow us to host this event this season.”
During the summer months, previous rounds had reduced the teams from an entry of 42 to the eight teams of the quarter finals. Those had ranged across all four divisions of the Mixed Leagues.
Now it was the final four teams in Thursday’s event. Those mixed teams, each of eight competitors, featured none of the semifinalists or finalists of recent years.
The morning saw all four teams on the green. Keenly supported by a large body of enthusiastic and knowledgeable spectators, intense rivalry produced some excellent bowling.
In the first semifinal, Wilmslow Bowls Club A team ( on a handicap of 26) were matched against Division 2 team of Prestbury A, with a 38 point handicap advantage. Roger Hulme captain of Prestbury A team, said: “It has been a long season, but one that has shown our skills develop each month. I am proud of my bowlers reaching the semifinals this season. Today we needed to maintain a high level of play in every match and we are disappointed to have lost narrowly.”
The scores were 293 to Wilmslow A and 160 to Prestbury A.
Wilmslow A team player and captain Chris Banfield added: ”To reach this level is a fine achievement. Our players must be credited with putting the pressure on our opponents, over some ends of splendid accurate bowling.”
The other semifinal featured Bollington delivering some fine bowls against the strong Poynton Sports A team, who had won the Division 1 for the 11th consecutive year. Captain of Bollington, Pat Dean, who took on this role just this year, commented: “Even with a modest handicap advantage of 10 points, we knew this match would challenge us all.
“On this fine neutral green at Queensgate, it was essential to read the green effectively from the outset.
“Several games were closer than the final score reflects, at 144 points to us and 137 to Poynton. We feel we were deserved winners today.”
Bowler Kevin Flannery of Poynton Sports Club, supporting his team players said: “What a tense match! We’ve seen some extremely accurate bowling here today, with many very close ends. The green is rolling smoothly and in good condition.”
Poynton captain, Pauline Johnstone, commented after the conclusion of a hectic morning’s bowling: “My team performed well today. I am delighted with my team’s performance. 2019 has been successful for this team with the 11th league championship. And our of our semi bowler Malcolm Sims, has topped the averages board this year, for the fourth time, winning every mixed league match.”
The afternoon final, as drizzle fell insistently, saw Bollington matched against Wilmslow A. The first four matches indicated that the result would be extremely close. Determination held sway with the bowlers, and both captains were on edge as the match unfolded.
Bollington were very aware of the handicapping advantage of 12 points to Wilmslow, as well as the two victories achieved over this team during the season. With cooler and damper conditions all the bowlers fought gallantly. A win to Wilmslow, by a single point, secured them the prestigious win to become the Mixed Knockout champions for 2019. The shield was presented to the Wilmslow team by Kevin Wilson from the Alderley Edge League.
Final scores: Bollington 156, Wilmslow Bowling Club A 157.
Chris Banfield expressed his delight at his team’s unexpected win. He added: “The match against Bollington today was played in the true spirit of the sport of crown green bowls.”