Bill Adshead Plate - 2005

Final - Sunday 24th July at 12 noon

Following much debate on the S&D forum the final of the 2005 Bill Adshead Trophy finally arrived. The venue was the Crown, Hazel Grove. Prior to the day there had been much debate about the venue. Whaley had asked for the game to be switched as The Royal Oak played on the green in their league and in the interest of neutrality it only seemed fair. NO was the simple answer that was given.

The start of the game was delayed by several minutes due to the road works at the Rising Sun which meant some of the Whaley players were delayed. The Royal Oak were happy with this, but the S&D officials wanted Whaley to declare reserves. Of course this was never going to happen.

The first four went on around 12:10pm . The pairings were as follows:

The Royal Oak got off to a great start and after the first few ends were up in all games; their superior green knowledge already beginning to tell. After the first half dozens ends the games began to take shape. Blair was racing away to a lead of 17-5 against Plant. Lomas opened up a lead of 13-6 against Millward. Hawker and Whelan had comfortable victories both winning 21 -14. Plant pulled a few back against Blair, but never got near in a 21-11 drubbing. The best game out of the first four was Milly versus Lomas, despite a good start by Lomas, Milly went on to win 21 – 18. After the first four the Royal Oak were leading by 36 (handicap +37)

The Royal Oak were now firm favourites. With only six blocks remaining they had held their lead and Whaley had to win by an average of six chalks a man. Undeterred, the fab four as they are now known in Whaley, took to the green and proceeded to demolish the Oaks middle order. Games as follows:

Archibald and Johnson had been relishing their games as they are both players who love to play on short, fast, running greens. Archibald found a little round peg and despite a few loose bowls towards the end raced away to a 21 -8 victory. Johnson was simply in a class of his own, wrapping his bowls around the jack. His bowl at the last end to sit out a toucher by Harwood was the final nail in the coffin in his 21 – 8 demolishing. Golpin had a slightly tricker games against Burgess, but just managed to win by bowling a small mark up t' nob n' back ! Latham had a good games against G Harwood. Harwood got off to a good start, but Latham soon went in front and won by a comfortable 21-15.

With only two blocks to go Whaley had taken the lead by two chalks. The final pairings were as follows:

You could sense the nervousness around the green as the two games got underway. The Royal Oak were beginning to celebrate and Whaley were looking very dejected as Hibbert trailed Bennett by 17-8. The other game was much closer as scores levelled at 14 across. However, Hibbert found a mark down the centre of the green that Bennett simply couldn't find and ran out with a thirteen break to win 21-17. At this point Bandey gave up the fight against Bennet who won 21-19.

In the end and against all the odds Whaley just won by 8 chalks, which I guess means thumbs up to the handicapper.

Prelims - Sunday 17th April - 11am - Known winners in BOLD

First Round - Sunday 8th May - 11am

Second Round - Sunday 22nd May - 11am

Quarter Final - Sunday 12th June - 11am

Semi Final - Sunday 10th July

Final - Sunday 24th July at 12 noon