Shepley Bowling Club News & Information

John Hodgson Crowned 2025 Veterans League Rose Bowl Champion

Congratulations to Paul VanLeuwen, winner of the new Wilf Hartley Veterans Trophy. Paul came through three  knock-out rounds to fight a closely contested final with Norman Raper. It proved to be a thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable afternoon for all. This new competition was established in memory of Wilf Hartley, a long and much admired Shepley bowler who's prowess on the green helped steer his 6-man team to two successive Div 1 titles. You will also find Wilf's name on some of Shepley's silverware. The beautiful new trophy was kindly gifted to the club by Wilf's daughter Clare and son-in-law Paul, who were there to present the winners' prizes. Thanks also to Nick Johnston for organising the event, and Clare, Sue and Howard for the delicious buffet.

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The 2025 Mens Pairs Competition was held on Tuesday 29th July and yet again proved to be a fun and closely fought tournament. The final saw Andrew Astbury and Keith Hague clinch the winners trophy against Grant Richardson and Paul van Leeuwen. Congratulations Andrew and Keith. 

The pavilion gained a beautiful weather vane in July this year. It was presented to the club by Clare and Paul Buxton in memory of Clare's dad Wilf Hartley. Wilf was a regular and very skilled bowler in the Shepley Veterans' 6-man team, with his prowess on the green helping the team to back-to-back Division 1 Championship titles in 2021 and 2022.   

During the summer months we cannot fail to see and appreciate the huge amount of work that our green keeper Norman, and his assistant Paul, put into maintaining the green and that Mike puts into maintaining the surrounding grounds and croquet pitch.  But in winter, when the green lies silent, resting and waiting for our return in April do they get a rest too?

There was a big turnout last week for our 2024 presentation evening and a great time was had by all. As well as the presentation of trophies to our competition and league winners there were awards for the best best individual and pairs averages within each of Shepley's teams. The evening was rounded off with a fun quiz and raffle which helped raise a total of £171.00 for Children In Need.

Congratulations to our Mirfield & District League team who have finished the 2024 season at the top of Division 6. It was a closely fought battle against second placed Waterloo with overall points tied at 93 apiece and Shepley coming out on top by virtue of a better 'Average aggregate for' of 146.79 vs 145.93. It doesn't come much closer that that!