That’s it, I’m afraid; another summer season has come to an end. Hope you’ve all enjoyed it and already looking forward to next year.

I do realise it gets a bit repetitive but this Newsletter is not very much different from those in previous years – except, of course, there will be some changes to team or individual names.

1. Divisional honours

Premier Division Champions Shakespeare B Runners up Bell A

Division One Champions Rose & Crown Runners up Red Cow

Division Two Champions Bull Inn A Runners up Brill S&SC A

Division Three Champions Chandos Arms Runners up Ashton Club

Division Four Champions Kings Head Runners up Fox B

Division Five Champions Bell B Runners up KEA Club

2. Top doll scorer – Rob Bradford (Rose & Crown) – new to the league this year with an average of 3.69 dolls per legs. In conversation with him on Finals Night, he “really has enjoyed his first season with us”.

Division Two’s top doll scorer – Kevin Powney (Bull Inn A) – 2.69 per leg.

Division Three – Robert Taylor (Chandos Arms) – 2.76.

Division Four – Greg English (Kings Head) – 2.60.

Division Five – Kerry White – 2.18

Ladies Top Doll Scorer – Aimee Sheehan – 2.10

3. Finals night – Exactly as I said last year, a truly brilliant atmosphere once again - “an aunt sally spectacle”! Despite the threat earlier in the day that we could possibly be in for a wet night, thankfully, that didn’t happen. In the 16 years I’ve been organising these evenings, we’ve not had a dampened finals night yet – cold at times, but not wet! Long may it continue! We were mighty close ‘cos it certainly came down earlier in the day.

It gets better and better! Launton Sports and Social, and their staff, should feel so proud of how they looked after us; special thanks to Steve Golder for arranging and setting up the barriers and the practice throw. My thanks go out to them all for helping to provide a spectacular venue and facilities for such an occasion.

Our sincere thanks to Clear Vision Financial Services for sponsoring the league once again this season – and to the ‘friends of the league’, many of whom wish to remain anonymous. Thank you all once again.

I did have posters scattered about on the night offering our thanks to those companies and individuals who have sponsored some of the trophies this season. Their contributions are very much appreciated. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to afford the quality of trophies that we provide. Thank you all very much.

Finals Night Results

League Cup Winners

Shakespeare B claimed “the double” (league and cup) with a win over the Rose & Crown.

League Plate Winners

Red Cow beat Launton S&S A 2-0.

Intermediate Cup Winners

Fox B overcame the challenge of the Barley Mow.

Intermediate Plate Winners

Ashton Club beat newcomers to the league, Kings Head 2-0,

Supplementary Cup Winners

Bell B beat another ‘new to the league side’ Swan Grendon Underwood.

Supplementary Plate Winners

The Olive Tree, another team new to us, won by default as their opponents, Bicester Bowls Club, were unable to raise a team.

Phil Allen Triples Winners

Red Cow (Liam Fisher, Roger Herbert and Liam Merchant) beat the Highfield SC (Nigel King, Nick Cherry and Chris Price).

The Terry Hawkins Pairs Cup

Rob Bradford and Neil Megson (Rose & Crown) beat Darren Moore and Brian Gough (Bell A).

Division Two Pairs Cup Winner

Dave Futter and Paul Knight (Bull Inn B) saw off the threat of Sophie Thomson and Steve Golder (Launton S&S A).

Division Three Pairs Cup Winners

Jim Ridgley and Richard Haynes (Barley Mow) got the better of Robert Taylor and Geoff Bradley (Chandos Arms).

Division Four Pairs Cup Winners

 Martin Hartwell and Luke Kimber (Fox B) beat The Olive Tree pairing of Will Skinner and Ross Milne.

The Steve Huntley Memorial Singles Shield Winner

Dougie Revitt (Shakespeare B) retained the shield by beating team mate Bobby Allen.

The Laurie Welford Memorial Division Two Dave Futter (Bull Inn A) got the better of Ray Manning

Singles winner (Tiddington CC) to win his second trophy of the evening.

Division Three Singles winner

Played on Wednesday at the Plate finals evening, Paul Symonds (Plough MG One) beat Kym Jones (Plough MG Two).

Division Four Singles winner

Greg English (Kings Head) rounded off what has been a very good season for himself by beating Shaun Wickens 

(Butchers Arms).

Division Five Singles Winner

Kerry White (Bicester Bowls Club) won this one by default as his opponent was unavailable.

Ladies Singles winner

Charlotte Cherry Smith (Lower Heyford S&SC) retained the trophy by beating Karen Blainey (Launton S&SC B).

4. There are a few teams who need to be looking at improving their throws in readiness for next year – with regard to lighting in most cases; so, if you need any equipment or advice please let me know and I’ll do what I can to help.

5. The secretary spoke at length, reminding everyone that, after offering his resignation at the AGM way back in March, no-one has yet shown any serious interest in taking over any of the five available posts. More of this nearer to the beginning of next season.

6. This is probably the last you’ll hear from me as secretary until mid-February when we’ll (whoever it may be) start sending out application forms and so on for next season; however, as most of you’ll know, I am very approachable and if anyone wishes to contact me to discuss anything Aunt Sally related, then please do so – number’s below.

7. All in all, a pretty good season. Congratulations to all this season’s winners and commiserations to those who came second best. Don’t let it grind you down, I want to see you all back again next season.

Phil Allen 07578 915693

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