An unusually wet summer morning greeted the players and spectators for the West Lancashire Masonic Charity Bowling Tournament finals at The Tetley’s Club in Warrington, but the weather didn’t dampen the spirits of the 52 entrants who had travelled from around the Province to eagerly take part.
Pictured left: Harry Jones (left) receives the Cowper Trophy from Mike Threlfall. Pictured middle: Cowper Trophy runner-up Les Fairhurst (left) receives the Crewdson Trophy from Peter Schofield. Pictured right: Darren James receives the Cyril McGibbon Trophy from Tony Harrison.
The main tournament, that for the Cowper Trophy produced a thrilling, close scoring final between last year’s winner Harry Jones of the Southport Group and Les Fairhurst of the Wigan Group. Harry eventually triumphed, becoming tournament winner for the fourth time having won last year’s competition in Barrow-in-Furness and previously lifting the ‘silverware’ in 2012 at Wigan and in 2008 at Fleetwood.
The event, which was hosted by the Liverpool Area Masonic Groups, (Bootle, Gladstone, Liverpool, Woolton and Garston), was superbly organised on the day by tournament secretary Trevor Barber and treasurer Len Hart.
Pictured left: Harry Cox receives a cheque from Derek Parkinson. Pictured right: Tony Harrison receives a cheque from Harry Cox.
The wet start to the day meant that bowling was difficult and entertaining, but as the rain stopped and the greens started to quickly dry out this resulted in some tightly fought and exciting games for bowlers and spectators alike.
The players who were eliminated in the first round of the main competition were automatically entered into a secondary competition, playing for the Cyril McGibbon Trophy. The final match for this prize saw Darren James from North Fylde take on Jim Sims from Leigh. Darren, a finalist in last year’s main competition, produced accurate and consistent bowling to win the game and lift the trophy.
The rain clouds made a return appearance towards the end of the final matches and a decision was made to move the presentation ceremony into the clubhouse lounge. The chairman of the tournament, Assistant Provincial Grand Master Harry Cox, welcomed Provincial Grand Master Tony Harrison and his wife Maureen who had added their support to this growing event. On behalf of the host groups, Assistant Provincial Grand Master Derek Parkinson presented Harry with a cheque for £650, with an indication that there was more to come, for distribution to charity by the 2016 Bowling Tournament.
Harry thanked the hosting groups who were represented by Tony Tait, Chairman of the Liverpool Area Groups Bowling Committee assisted by Colin Wood, for putting in the work to enable the tournament to take place. Harry went on to explain that last year a total of £6,500 had been raised by the 2015 tournament hosted by Furness and South Lakeland Group. This resulted in donations of £1,500 to the Friends of Ecclesholme and £1,500 to the Friends of Tithebarn, the two Masonic residential homes within the Province. Additionally, a further £500 was donated to last year’s tournament host venue, Roose Conservative Club. Harry Cox then presented Tony Harrison with a cheque for the balance of £3,000 in favour of the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity.
Pictured left: Cowper Trophy joint third Alan Jones (left) and Dave Barr (right) receive their prizes from Mike Threlfall. Pictured middle: Cowper Trophy seventh place John Gregory (left) with Mike Threlfall . Pictured right: Cowper Trophy eighth place Ron Gates (left) with Mike Threlfall.
Tournament president Michael Threlfall presented the Cowper Trophy to winner Harry Jones. He also presented him with the ‘President’s Prize’ of some Diamante glassware, whilst the vice president Peter Schofield, presented runner-up Les Fairhurst with the Crewdson Trophy and the ‘Vice President’s Prize’ which was also Diamante glassware.
Other prizes were presented to the top eight finishers with John Gregory being the highest placed local bowler in seventh position. Tony Harrison also presented the winner and runner-up with medals, once again generously provided by Khine Lynn of South Fylde Group.
Top row: Tournament in play. Bottom row from left to right: Cowper Trophy finalists, Harry (left) and Les. Cyril McGibbon Trophy finalists, Jim (left) and Darren. Harry (left) being congratulated by Tony. Les (left) being congratulated by Tony.
The West Lancashire Masonic Charity Bowling Tournament is supported by a majority of the groups within the Province and next year the Warrington Group will be hosting the event at the same venue, The Tetley’s Club in Warrington, where it is hoped that all groups in the Province will be represented.